'I Loved It Here': Manhattan Village Administrator Resigns To Return To Police Leadership Elsewhere

MANHATTAN, IL — It turns out Jeff Wold just can't be away from the badge.

Wold, Manhattan's Village Administrator of 18 months, is leaving the Village to return to police leadership, resigning from his role at the Nov. 4 board meeting. He'll become the new police chief in Seneca, Illinois.

It's nearly a full-circle move for Wold, who served as Manhattan's police chief before becoming the village administrator in 2024.

"I think he did a great job in both positions," said Mayor Mike Adrieansen at the meeting. "So Jeff, thank you for your dedication and commitment to Manhattan.

"... I think you've done a fabulous job. Sad to see you leave, but I know that you have a passion for something else."

Wold thanked the board and residents for the opportunity to serve in both positions.

"Together we addressed some very complex issues and I always appreciated that your decisions were always based on what was best for the community," Wold said to the board. "To the residents of Manhattan, you guys certainly are the heart of the village. I want to thank everyone for welcoming me into the community. I had a blast hanging out with you at Irish Fest, Oktoberfest, the Labor Day party, the parade you have every other weekend.

"It was great to meet the residents and great to hang out with you. And I learned more about the village of Manhattan at those events than I did any day here at the Village Hall. So thank you to the residents."

Wold first became Manhattan's police chief in 2021. During his tenure, the police department was also recognized for its excellence in law enforcement policy management by Lexipol, a national agency serving more than 2 million public safety and government professionals. Prior to his time in Manhattan, Wold served as chief in the Village of Channahon.

Wold announced his retirement in June 2023, but came back to the role two months later, saying he felt as though he had unfinished business.

Then he shifted over to the Village Administrator role in June 2024, and was succeeded by Police Chief Ryan Gulli, who was also hired in Manhattan in 2021. Gulli previously worked for the Village of Midlothian.

During his comments at the board meeting, Wold noted that he helped launch the village's school resource officer program, as well as bringing in K9 Officer Apollo—"I love that dog," he said later. Wold also spearheaded the truck enforcement program, helping to address a crucial issue for the town.

"... if you drive up and down Route 52, you see (Officer) Joe Baez behind a semi-truck almost every day," Wold said. "So thanks to Joe."

Watch the whole meeting online.

His favorite effort, he said, was the chili cook-off he organized with Manhattan Fire Protection District Chief Steve Malone. The cook-off was a fundraiser for Special Olympics, a cause close to his heart.

"Together we raised over $15,000 for Special Olympics, which is one of the charities I support every year, almost every day," he said. "My heart goes out to Special Olympic athletes, and thanks to the community for supporting that....

"As I step away from the Village of Manhattan, I know the future of Manhattan is in fine hands. I have a deep appreciation for the entire staff and for the community."

The police department tugs the hardest at his heartstrings.

"What I'm going to miss most is our police department," he said. "I loved being a police chief here in Manhattan. I was a police chief for seven other years in another community. I've got almost 30 years of police experience. And that's what I'm going to go back to do. I'm going to go back to being a police chief in another community. But I'll always have Manhattan in my heart. I loved it here."

Trustee Justin Young applauded Wold for his work in Manhattan.

"When we hired you as a police chief, things were turned around here pretty quickly," Young said. "Things have always run smoothly with your leadership. I was sad when you left police chief, but I was very happy that you took the role of village administrator and kind of steadied the ship. And I'm forever grateful, and I know the residents are, as well."

Community Development Director Marc Nelson was appointed to serve as interim village administrator.

Wold's last day is Nov. 13.