Photo via City of Coolidge
By Jacob Dorsey | Coolidge Examiner
COOLIDGE — Gilbert Lopez, previously director of economic development and development services, was eager to begin work on his and the Coolidge City Council’s goals as the new city manager.
For Lopez, taking on the role of city manager draws on an accumulation of decades of experience between his work in Glendale and Chandler, his time on the Coolidge City Council and the League of Arizona Cities and Towns Executive Committee, his Master of Business Administration degree and even down to running small companies and learning how to be a fire inspector.
“City managers have to be generalists and know enough about all things happening throughout the city,” Lopez said.
On Aug. 12, the City Council appointed Lopez as its 17th city manager, pending the retirement of then-City Manager Rick Miller on Aug. 23. There were many other potential candidates, including people from all over Arizona and out-of-state.
