City Manager

The city manager is responsible for administration of the City's affairs and day-to-day operations. The city manager is guided by the policies set by the City Commission, and works at their pleasure in accordance with the terms of an employment agreement.  The city manager is responsible for the hiring and oversight of all other City employees, organized in a structure of departments and divisions designed to efficiently deliver high quality projects, programs and services to the public. 

Since December of 2021, Trey Cocking has served as the 8th City Manager of Emporia, Kansas. Trey grew up in suburban Derby, Kansas, the son of a Wichita police officer, a commitment to public service was instilled in him at an early age. Trey graduated from Washburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. He then obtained his Master of Public Service and Administration from the George Bush School of Government at Texas A&M University.
 
 After graduation Trey accepted a management internship with the Sedgwick County Manager's Office in Wichita, Kansas. Upon completion of his internship, Trey was served a budget analyst in the Kansas Governor’s Budget Office. Trey’s first job in City Management was serving as the City Administrator of Cherryvale, KS. Trey served as the City Manager of Atchison, KS for eight years. During that time, he successfully supported efforts to improve the financial stability of the city’s budget, developed long-term plans for employee wellness programs and supported efforts in community and economic development within the region.  Prior to his service with Emporia he served as the Deputy Director of the League of Kansas Municipalities leading the League’s government relations team. 

Trey is married with two young children.  Trey was in the Leadership Kansas class of 2017, and enjoys cheering for the Washburn Ichabods, the Texas A&M Aggies, the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.