Benjamin Bitter Has Been Selected as Maricopa's Next City Manager
Published on December 12, 2023
The City of Maricopa is pleased to announce the selection of Benjamin Bitter as the next City Manager, effective July 1, 2024. Bitter brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to serving the community, positioning Maricopa for continued growth and success.
“I am deeply humbled by the trust and faith that the City Council has placed in me to fill this position,” Bitter says. “Following on the heels of such a great leader and mentor is a daunting task, one which I do not take lightly. Nonetheless, as we have worked together closely over the last 2.5 years, I have seen Rick manage many difficult challenges, and I know that my capacity to do the same has been strengthened as I have worked through these same challenges. I look forward to continuing to work with him as he leads our strategic and economic development efforts. I am also excited to work alongside our talented Executive Team, including Jennifer Brown and Matt Kozlowski, to take Maricopa to new heights.”
Bitter has been integral to the city's progress, initially starting with the City in 2021 as its Capital Improvement Plan and Engineering Director. Since 2022, he has served as Deputy City Manager and Chief Product Officer. His dedication, leadership, and comprehensive understanding of Maricopa's needs make him an ideal choice to lead the city forward.
"We are excited to welcome Ben as our new City Manager,” shares Mayor Nancy Smith. “His proven track record and passion for Maricopa's development align perfectly with our vision for the city's future."
In addition to securing millions of dollars in outside funding for city projects, Bitter has been instrumental in transitioning the city’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan to a ten-year plan, better preparing the City to address the community's needs as Maricopa continues to grow. During his time in Maricopa, he has supervised multiple departments, including Public Works, Development Services, the Library, and Parks and Recreation.In addition, he holds prior City Manager experience, serving in the role for the City of Ashland, Kentucky from 2013 to 2016.
"I am proud to have worked alongside Ben, and I have full confidence in his ability to lead Maricopa to new heights,” says Current City Manager Rick Horst. “I look forward to supporting him during this transition period."
Following the decision, Assistant City Manager Jennifer Brown and Deputy City Manager Matt Kozlowski each reaffirmed their dedication to Maricopa's ongoing advancement, expressing a readiness to collaborate closely with Ben and each other to ensure the City's progress.
“Working alongside Ben for the last 2.5 years, I can attest to the talent, creativity, and passion he has for public service,” says Brown. “His high level of leadership will allow us to continue Maricopa’s momentum. We are united in vision and commitment to our community. Maricopa’s future is bright, and I am honored to serve with our exemplary staff.”
Kozlowski echoes this sentiment.
"Since Ben started with Maricopa, we have enjoyed an amazingly positive working experience that has enabled each of us to learn, grow, and achieve great success together,” Kozlowski says. “Ben is well-known by organizations and agencies throughout Arizona for his extraordinary vision and leadership. I look forward to continuing this collaboration as we ensure Maricopa becomes a premier city.”
The City Council thanks all the candidates for their dedication and willingness to serve Maricopa and are amazed by the talented candidates that were considered for this position. They say the selection process was thorough and reflected the city's commitment to ensuring strong leadership for its future endeavors. No doubt, this reflects City Manager Horst’s unique ability to further develop future leaders to guide the direction of the City for years to come.