Oshkosh City Manager finalists selected

OSHKOSH, WI- (WISS) – The City of Oshkosh and the Oshkosh Common Council has chosen four candidates to interview for the City Manager position that will open when Mark Rohloff retires in January. 

After a nationwide search, they selected the following four finalists (listed alphabetically): 

Robert Cowell

Robert (Bob) Cowell, most recently City Manager for the City of Roanoke, Virginia, has over 20 years of municipal leadership experience with approximately seven years as a City Manager. Bob has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics from St. Louis University as well as a Master of Science degree in Urban Planning from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Bob is also a Credentialed Manager – International City/County Management Association (ICMA-CM), Certified Urban Planner – American Institute of City Planners (AICP) and an Accredited Member of the Congress for the new Urbanism (CNU-A). 

Rebecca Grill

Rebecca Grill, currently the City Administrator/City Clerk for the City of West Allis, Wisconsin, has nearly 20 years of municipal leadership experience with approximately nine years as a City Administrator. Rebecca has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Criminal Justice degree as well as a Master of Business Administration in Finance, both from Concordia University.  Rebecca is also a Credentialed Manager – International City/County Management Association (ICMA-CM) and University of Wisconsin Madison Certified Public Manager. 

William Jones

William (Will) Jones, currently the City Administrator for the City of Mequon, Wisconsin, has over 20 years of municipal leadership experience with approximately nine years as a City Administrator. Will has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science from Boston College as well as a Master of Public Administration – Public Management from Indiana University Bloomington.  Will is also a Credentialed Manager – International City/County Management Association (ICMA-CM), Certified Public Finance Officer – Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and Certified Labor Relations Professional – National Public Employer Labor Relations Association (NPELRA).

J. Carter Napier

J. Carter Napier, currently the City Manager for the City of Casper, Wyoming, has over 20 years of municipal leadership experience with approximately 14 years as a City Administrator and seven years as a City Manager. Carter has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History as well as a Master of Public Administration, both from Brigham Young University.  Carter has served as President of the Wyoming Association of Municipalities and was appointed to Wyoming’s Spending and Government Efficiency Commission as well as Wyoming’s Regulatory Reduction Task Force by Governor Mark Gordon.

Oshkosh City Manager next steps

The candidates all participated in a “Meet and Greet” at the Oshkosh Convention Center last night, allowing candidates to interact with residents. The Oshkosh City Manager candidates will participate in interviews with the Common Council and city staff today (Tuesday, 11/19/24).

The Common Council will vote on the appointment to replace Rohloff at an upcoming Common Council meeting.