Mayor’s memo: Bloomington welcomes new city manager

Zach Walker, at right, began serving as Bloomington’s newest city manager on October 20.

Walker has nearly two decades of executive level local government experience, most recently serving as city manager of Independence, the fifth largest city in Missouri.

Independence shares a lot in common with Bloomington. Zach brings an impressive resume and a lot of accomplishments to the table. I’m excited for the community to get to know him.

In Independence, Walker oversaw a full-service city of more than 1,200 employees and a $454 million budget. He led major initiatives focused on strategic planning, fiscal discipline, organizational modernization and inclusive community development.

Walker championed transformational projects including a $1 billion industrial development, a $36 million commercial redevelopment, and the first Comprehensive Development Plan update in 25 years. He led the creation of the City’s first Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and implemented its inaugural Tourism Master Plan. Other major accomplishments include completing more than $70 million in capital improvements, launching a citywide housing study and expanding mental health and homelessness outreach services through innovative partnerships.

“I’m honored to join the City of Bloomington as its next city manager. This is a vibrant, forward-thinking community with a strong sense of civic pride and shared purpose,” Walker said. “I look forward to working alongside the City Council, dedicated City staff, and engaged residents to build on Bloomington’s many strengths, foster inclusive growth, and deliver high-quality services that support a thriving, welcoming city for all. I’m excited to get started and to become part of a community that clearly cares deeply about its future.”

Walker began his career in the Missouri House of Representatives and the Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Commission before completing the Cookingham-Noll Fellowship with the City of Kansas City, Missouri. He joined Independence in 2012, rising from internal auditor to assistant city manager before becoming city manager in 2016. He holds a master of public affairs from the University of Missouri, is an ICMA-Credentialed Manager, and served as president of the Missouri City/County Management Association.