News Release: Town of Tusayan to Interview Four Finalists for Town Manager Position
June 18, 2020
TUSAYAN, AZ – The Tusayan Town Council will hold final interviews for the position of Town Manager on Thursday, June 25 and invites the public to attend or view a brief community forum to hear from each candidate on Thursday evening.
The Town advertised nationally and received more than 30 applications for the position. The initial Zoom interviews last month with 13 candidates led to the selection of four finalist who will be interviewed in person by the Town Council.
The in-person interviews will be done in executive session with the Town Council, as is normal practice.
The candidates will have the opportunity to speak briefly to interested community members at a community forum at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at Squire Best Western Hotel Canyon Room in Tusayan.
All precautions related to Covid-19 will be observed at the event, including air sanitation and social distancing with seating at least six feet apart.
Wearing masks is encouraged. There will be seats for only 20 people to attend this event, so those who arrive first will be given those seats. The Town will also set up a community Zoom link so that people who do not attend the event in person can observe the event.
Meeting ID: 828 7916 9828 Password: 896855
Call in: +1 253 215 8782 US or +1 301 715 8592 US
The Council hopes to make a final decision soon after the interviews and forum.
The four finalists are: Stacey Bristow of Rio Verde, AZ and Castro Valley, CA; Shawn Gilman of Las Vegas, NV; Charlie Hendrix of Phoenix, AZ; and John Schempf of Apache Junction, AZ.
Below are brief bios submitted by the candidates:
Stacey Bristow: From humble beginnings and strong family values, I joined the workforce and waited tables for more than 5 years to help pay my way through college. My first job in public service was as an Emergency Services Police/Fire Dispatcher. This high level, fast moving position set the stage for a career in public service that has served me well in this ever-changing world.
Looking back now on almost three decades of supporting and building resilient and thriving communities, I am honored and blessed to have had amazing role models, a family of my own and the opportunity to continue my life’s purpose of community service in my new home state of Arizona. I have a proven record of developing resilient and thriving neighborhoods and communities, holistic executives, learning leaders and strategic partnerships through ground-up leadership, trust, and high-performance methodologies. As a dynamic and transformational administrator, I have capitalized on over twenty-six years of public and private sector executive experience with demonstrated successes in high level management with CEO’s, City and Town Councils, Boards of Directors, Commissions, Land Developers, Union Leaders, diverse Community Groups, Special Districts, Task Forces, local and regional Businesses, Non-Profits, Wellness Leaders, Public Safety Organizations and more. What my communities value most about me is my honest and inspirational dialogue, efficient/effective methodologies, and innovative approaches.
Stacey shares her time in both Arizona and California where she enjoys adventure hiking with her labradoodle, volunteering at local shelters, cooking, gardening, community arts and culture, and family vacations.
Shawn Gilman: I have served ten years in local government as an elected city councilor for three terms and as a city manager for rural communities in Alaska. I am also experienced with over twenty years in executive management and finance in the private sector. I have provided leadership to many departments to include administration, human resources, finance, public works, police, fire, EMS, water and wastewater, parks and recreation, planning, city owned liquor stores, a city owned gaming facility, maintenance and operations and landfill operations.
I led my team to accomplish remarkable improvements to the financial health of a fiscally challenged community, implementing essential policies and procedures, updating municipal codes, providing significant infrastructure improvements, and promoting growth and sustainability. Through community collaboration we built strong relationships and partnerships with the public and private sector. I have represented and devoted many years to different committees and organizations in the public and non-profit sectors as well as volunteer organizations which have all been driven by my passion for community. These have been the most rewarding opportunities both personally and professionally I have had the pleasure to experience. I am originally from Alaska and currently reside in Las Vegas. I have shared my years between Alaska and Las Vegas since I was a teenager. I have four adult sons and two grandchildren. My family is my world. I enjoy spending my off time traveling, fishing, and cooking.
Charlie Hendrix: Charlie is an Arizona native with close to 20 years of public service experience. She began service as a Homeowners’ Association President prior to successfully running for office and being elected to a bipartisan position in Maricopa County. From there, Charlie and her husband made the unusual decision to attend law school together, in Nebraska (with their three, now four, children in tow). Since law school, Charlie has practiced in rural communities (including several tribal communities) serving as a city administrator, small business owner, volunteer, and public defense attorney. She specializes in municipal administration and juvenile services law.
John Schempf: I was born and raised in Central Pennsylvania, attending elementary school in Boalsburg, the birthplace of Memorial Day, and graduating from high school in State College, PA, the home of Penn State University. I then went to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire on a full scholarship where I majored in Geography with Economics and Political Science as specialties. Immediately following graduation, I joined the US Coast Guard and was sent to Officer Candidate School and then commenced a full career serving in many afloat and ashore commands on both coasts with ever increasing responsibilities and challenges.
After retiring to Vermont, I started a company as an outgrowth of my old car hobby providing coast-to-coast delivery services for antique and classic automobiles. While successful and I did enjoy seeing the cars and the country, I was not home as much I wished; so when a position as Town Manager became available in my community, I jumped at the opportunity, little knowing that twenty-four years, four states and six communities later, I would be competing for the Town Manager of Tusayan position. In the process, I have been exposed to many, many different situations, and circumstances to the point where I can honestly say: Been there, done that and have the tee-shirt!”
I am extremely grateful for my life's experiences and opportunities; I humbly offer my talents and qualifications to you, the citizens, so that together we can work to improve your lives and surroundings.
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