City Manager Andrew Neiditz Is A Finalist For South Sound 911 Post

A year after not being chosen for Tacoma's top staff position, Lakewood City Manager Andrew Neiditz is again in the running for another leadership position in the area.

This time, he is one of three finalists in the executive director search for a new agency that voters approved in November 2011 to streamline emergency communications last year.

The two other finalists consist of the city manager of Hillsboro, TX, and the director of the state ferry system.

Last year, Neiditz was a finalist for the Tacoma City Manager position, but the city ultimately selected T.C. Broadnax.

Here is the full press release from South Sound 911:

Three experienced managers are the finalists to serve as executive director of South Sound 911, a consortium of public safety agencies and communities working to build a seamless emergency communications system.

Under the new agency’s governance structure, the decision will be made in stages by police, fire and dispatch leaders as well as elected officials representing member agencies and contracting cities and towns.

The agency received 32 applications for executive director. The finalists are (in alphabetical order):

· Jack Harper II, the city manager in Hillsboro, Texas since 2006. He previously worked as city manager in Stamford, Texas, and in code enforcement and other duties in San Antonio and Lubbock.

· David Moseley, who has directed the Ferries Division of the Washington State Department of Transportation since 2008. His previous career experience includes stints as city manager and administrator in Federal Way, Ellensburg and Steilacoom.

· Andrew Neiditz, the city manager in Lakewood since 2005. His previous experience includes stints as city administrator in Sumner and Pierce County’s deputy county executive.

The selection is being managed by a search committee representing managers, administrators and elected leaders from member jurisdictions. The selection will occur during a process involving three public meetings:

Monday, Dec. 10: South Sound 911 will host a reception for the finalists, beginning at 7 p.m. at C.I. Shenanigans, 3017 Ruston Way, Tacoma.

Friday, Dec. 14: The Combined Operations Board of police, fire and dispatch leaders is scheduled to vote on the search committee's recommendation for executive director. The meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. at West Pierce Fire & Rescue Station 20, 10928 Pacific Hwy SW, Lakewood, WA  98499.

Wednesday, Dec. 19: The Combined Operations Board's selection is subject to confirmation by the Policy Board, consisting of nine elected officials representing member agencies and contracting cities and towns. The Policy Board meets at 9 a.m. at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main St.

Pierce County voters approved the creation of South Sound 911 in November 2011. The new agency is tasked with replacing the patchwork of incompatible radio systems and independent dispatch centers with an efficient, state of the art system that enables all first responders to communicate directly with each other. More information, including meeting agendas and membership of the two boards, is available at www.southsound911.org.