Cities
Burien has named five finalists for its next city manager, including two current city employees. Residents can meet the candidates and share feedback before the City Council considers whom to hire.
The public meet-and-greet is Monday, November 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Burien City Hall’s Council Chambers, also known as the Burien Library Multipurpose Room, at 400 SW 152nd Street.
According to the city’s November 2 announcement, councilmembers reviewed the qualifications of 14 candidates in executive session October 26, then selected five candidates and two alternates during their regular meeting.
Five candidates confirmed their interest in continuing:
- Mandy Wagner (Lenexa, KS)
- Rod Steitzer (Burien, WA)
- Nilesh Mehta (West Covina, CA)
- Richard Marsh, Jr. (Wellton, AZ)
- Lorraine Chachere (Burien, WA)
Meet the Finalists
The following backgrounds come from the biographies and résumés released by the City of Burien.
Mandy Wagner | Lenexa, Kansas
Wagner has served as assistant general manager for WaterOne since June 2024. The municipal water utility serves more than 500,000 people. Her responsibilities include human resources, communications, customer service and field services.
Her more than 20 years of experience include serving as finance director for Atchison, Kansas, and assistant city manager for Derby, Kansas. She holds a master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis in city management from the University of Kansas.
Read Wagner’s biography and résumé.
Rod Steitzer | Burien, Washington
Steitzer has been Burien’s public works director since September 2024. His responsibilities include infrastructure investments, departmental operations, emergency planning and regional transportation coordination.
He brings more than 25 years of municipal public works experience, including over 15 years in management and leadership. Before joining Burien, he spent more than 20 years with Kirkland, advancing through engineering and capital project leadership positions.
Steitzer holds a civil engineering degree from the University of Washington and is a Washington-licensed professional engineer.
Read Steitzer’s biography and résumé.
Nilesh Mehta | West Covina, California
Mehta most recently served as West Covina’s assistant city manager from September 2025 to September 2026. His work included citywide initiatives, operating and capital budgets, and organizational planning.
Previously, he was fiscal services director for South Whittier School District and chief deputy city treasurer for Redondo Beach. His résumé describes managing a $100 million investment portfolio in Redondo Beach.
He holds an MBA in finance from California State University, Fullerton, and bachelor’s degrees in economics and political science from the University of California, Irvine.
Read Mehta’s biography and résumé.
Richard Marsh, Jr. | Wellton, Arizona
Marsh has served as Wellton’s town manager since January 2022 and brings more than 30 years of experience in municipal administration, economic development, strategic planning and financial management.
His previous positions include city manager for Bisbee, Arizona, and Inkster, Bangor and Benton Harbor, Michigan, as well as city administrator for Ecorse, Michigan.
He holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in public law and government from Eastern Michigan University.
Read Marsh’s biography and résumé.
Lorraine Chachere | Burien, Washington
Chachere has served as Burien’s economic development specialist since 2019, working on business attraction and retention, grant programs, economic development policy and projects to improve public spaces.
Her background spans more than 18 years across local government, tourism and hospitality, including work as Auburn’s tourism coordinator and a lead concierge for MGM Resorts International.
She serves as a Highline College trustee and on the Highline Schools Foundation’s board of trustees. Chachere holds a geography degree specializing in urban studies from Clark University and speaks fluent Spanish.
Read Chachere’s biography and résumé.
How Residents Can Participate
At the November 16 open house, residents can meet the finalists and complete a short online survey sharing their feedback with the City Council.
Interviews with city staff leadership and the council begin Tuesday, November 17, at 9 a.m. The council interviews will take place during an open public meeting, followed by an executive session and potential action, according to the city’s announcement.
A Leadership Decision That Affects Residents
Burien’s next city manager will oversee city staff, help shape spending priorities and carry out council decisions affecting streets, parks, development and other city services.
With two current Burien employees among the five finalists, the council will weigh local experience alongside outside leadership backgrounds. The November 16 open house gives residents a chance to ask questions and offer feedback before the council makes its choice.
The advertised annual salary is $230,000 to $240,000, depending on qualifications. Bob Larson has served as interim city manager since April 28 and is not seeking the permanent position. The city’s recruitment timeline anticipates a January 2027 start.
Open house details | Recruitment timeline | Position and salary information | Candidate résumés and photos
Photo credit: Candidate photographs provided by the City of Burien as part of its city manager recruitment materials.
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