Emporia, Kansas Embargo: April 13, 2023, 9:00 am — The City of Emporia is pleased to announce the selection of Mark Detter as Assistant City Manager. Detter will begin his position on May 30, 2023, where he will support and direct aspects of city operations and lead pivotal strategic plan initiatives for the community.
“The City of Emporia is excited to welcome Mark as Assistant City Manager,” said City Manager, Trey Cocking. “Mark has a passion for public service and impressive experience that will make a great addition to the city’s executive leadership team.”
Detter brings more than 28 years of experience to this role, most recently serving as the City Manager for the City of Valdez, Alaska where he provided executive leadership and administered a $50 million operating budget. Detter addressed such challenges as street upgrades and development of senior housing while completing a new $16 million fire station project.
Much of Detter’s local government career has been in Kansas, including two positions as City Administrator in Rose Hill, Kansas and Andover, Kansas. He has also spent time in county government as the Assistant County Administrator and Finance Director for Butler County, Kansas.
“In my new role as Assistant City Manager for the City of Emporia, I hope to provide strategic level leadership, to support partnerships across the state in order to access federal resources, and to employ economic development tools to enhance community growth and success.”
Detter holds a bachelor's degree in political science and a bachelor’s degree in business administration, both from Southwestern College as well as a master’s degree in public administration from Wichita State University.
“I look forward to engaging with a uniquely diverse community, economically, that includes a strong manufacturing base and active local businesses.” Detter also values Emporia’s strong spiritual community and focus on education. He has two sons and a daughter in-law; Nicholas and Rebeca, who attend graduate school at Kansas State University and Wesley, who attends Wichita State University.
“I am excited to work for an organization with a strong history of professional management. Emporia is a diverse and dynamic city poised for growth.”
Mark Detter (JPG)
