This week, Adam Hanks takes over as Interim City Administrator after the departure of Kelly Madding. Hanks served as Interim City Administrator for four months in 2018 during a previous transition in leadership. Hanks has worked as the Assistant City Administrator for two years and has worked in various capacities and departments at the City of Ashland for over 27 years and has been a resident of Ashland for over 30 years.
“The most important job right now is to maintain the City’s essential operations during this coronavirus crisis,” said Hanks. “The leadership in all City departments is highly experienced and I have full faith in their abilities to safely deliver services to support Ashland citizens and businesses through the unprecedented disruption to our lives.”
At its April 7th meeting, the City Council voted to confirm Mayor John Stromberg’s appointment of Hanks as the Interim Administrator until December 31, 2020 or until a permanent replacement is chosen for Madding.
“I trust wholeheartedly in Adam’s ability to guide the City’s operations and work with our many community partners to chart a course of safety and recovery for our health and economic stability,” said Mayor Stromberg.
Hanks had been working closely with Madding to transition leadership prior to the coronavirus outbreak, a transition that only intensified over the last month. The City has
declared an Emergency and has taken myriad precautions to
protect employees and the public while maintaining not only critical operations like police, fire, water, and wastewater, but also the flow of permits and inspections to keep construction and development progressing. Maintaining employment, supporting community partners, and providing future housing are critical pieces of stability and eventual recovery in Ashland.
