During their regular meeting on Tuesday, the Amarillo City Council voted 5-0 to appoint Deputy City Manager Andrew Freeman as the interim City Manager.
“I am very excited about the responsibility, but the big change will be working with the city council and setting the agenda,” Freeman said. “I am working to make sure that we are being efficient and working toward the visons and priorities that the council is setting for the city. It’s exciting; we have a great team and staff that I get to work with each day. I am looking forward to this opportunity over the next few months."
Freeman was given a raise to $240,000 a year with possible incentives that could bring his pay up to $290,000.
Mayor Cole Stanley said the additional $50,000 will be tied to agreed upon objective measurable metrics reached in the city by Freeman in the areas of public safety initiatives and customer service over the next eight months.
“What we don’t mind as a council saying is we don’t mind paying for that position at a high paying rate, but we want to see outcomes that are measurable,” Stanley said. “That gives him eight months to go out and perform and earn it.”
Freeman was named Deputy City Manager in May 2023 and Assistant City Manager in August 2021. He has served in various positions with the City of Amarillo since 2017 and has more than 15 years of experience in city government.
His experience includes:
City of Amarillo
Deputy City Manager
May 2023 - Present
Assistant City Manager
Aug 2021 - May 2023
Managing Director - Planning and Special Projects
Apr 2021 - Aug 2021
Managing Director - Planning and Development Services
Jun 2020 - Apr 2021
Director of Planning and Development Services
Aug 2018 - Jun 2020
Director of Economic Development and Intergovernmental Affairs
Apr 2018 - Jul 2018
Economic Development Manager/Assistant to the City Manager
Apr 2017 - Apr 2018
City of Plainview
Assistant City Manager/Civil Service Director
Aug 2014 - Apr 2017
City of Tulia
City Manager/EDC Director
Nov 2013 - Aug 2014
City of San Marcos
Economic & Development Coordinator - City Manager's Office
Oct 2011 - Oct 2013
Executive Assistant - City Manager's Office
Oct 2008 - Oct 2011
Emergency Communications Operator
Apr 2008 - Oct 2008
Having graduated from Texas State University with a bachelor and master’s degree in public administration, Freeman’s career has focused on city management, planning, and economic development. He holds the Economic Development Finance Professional certification through the National Development Council and is a 2019 graduate of Oklahoma University’s Economic Development Institute.
In April 2022, Freeman received the Credentialed Manager designation from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) – at the time one of only 114 individuals in Texas credentialed through the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program.
Freeman has also served in several organizations, including Texas City Management Association (serving on the Ethics Committee and Advocacy Committee), Panhandle Regional Planning Commission (serving on the Economic Development Advisory Committee), and St. Anthony Legacy and Redevelopment Corporation (ex-officio Board Member).
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