Temple Terrace Hires New City Manager

The Temple Terrace City Council has decided who will replace City Manager Kim Leinbach.

Council members voted Thursday to hire Gerald J. Seeber, who currently is the general manager of Tampa Bay Water, according to a City of Temple Terrace press release. Leinbach is retiring in April.

“Seeber may begin work in Temple Terrace by the end of April,” the release states.

Seeber has been general manager of Tampa Bay Water for the past five years, but he has a wealth of city management experience, according to the release. He served as city manager of Oviedo in Seminole County from 2004-08 and New Port Richey in Pasco County from 1988 to 2004.

Seeber also served as village manager of Brown Deer, WI, from 1982-88. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Marquette University in 1975, and a post-graduate degree in public administration from Pennsylvania State University in 1978, the release states.

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The city manager search began months ago, and finalists were chosen from 36 people who applied for the position. The council interviewed eight candidates on Skype, and narrowed the choices from there.

The council’s first choice for the city manager position was Arizona resident Jeffrey Mihelich. He was offered the job but declined because he decided he did not want to move to Florida.

The second choice candidate was Dana Hlavac, also from Arizona. However, not all council members were on board with that decision. Councilman David Pogorilich said he favored Seeber over Hlavac.

Leinbach has served as Temple Terrace’s city manager since 1999. He said he will continue to live in Temple Terrace.

See also:

• City Manager Search Subject of Special Council Meeting
• Temple Terrace to Negotiate with Second City Manager Candidate
• Temple Terrace Close to Hiring New City Manager
• Innovative Approach to City Manager Interviews Could Save Thousands
• Candidates Share Views on Ideal City Manager