Contact: Amanda Wilber
Human Resources Director
928-340-2713
awilber@cottonwoodaz.gov
City of Cottonwood Announces City Manager Finalists
COTTONWOOD, AZ – The City of Cottonwood engaged in the services of the Duffy Group to recruit for their next City Manager in November. Since the departure of its last City Manager, the City has been operating under an Acting City Manager, Tom Whitmer, since February 2024.
There were 158 candidates considered for the position, which have been narrowed down to three top finalists. The top finalists have been invited to interview with the City in early May. Finalists will have the opportunity to tour the community with the Mayor, introduce themselves to the public, meet with the City’s leadership team, and interview with the City Council.
The top three finalists are Ken Bennett, a former Arizona Senator; Mario Cifuentez, current City Manager for the City of Hanford, California; and Darren Coldwell, current City Manager for the City of Page, Arizona.
Bennett is a former Arizona Senator and Arizona’s 18th Secretary of State. He has experience in the private sector as well as serving the public in various capacities over the past 40 years. Bennett has strong skills in policy and procedure development, communication, community relations, and servant leadership.
Cifuentez has been the City Manager for the City of Hanford, CA, since 2019. He has almost 40 years of working in local government and is passionate about government transparency within the community. Cifuentez has strong skills in full-service City leadership, strategic planning, staff development, community outreach and engagement, team building, and transparent communication.
Coldwell has been the City Manager for the City of Page, AZ, since 2019. He has experience in both the private and public sectors, with almost 13 years of experience in local government. Coldwell has strong skills in full-service City leadership, strategic planning, collaboration, and community engagement.
The City of Cottonwood operates under the council-manager form of government. Cottonwood’s City Council serves as the community’s governing body, providing policy direction through the appointment of a City Manager and enacting ordinances and policies. The City manager serves as the chief administrative officer and is responsible for the oversight of the City’s daily operations. The City Manager works collaboratively with key staff members to implement policies set forth by the City Council and provides organizational leadership for department directors and employees.
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