James M. Grigsby, Assistant City Manager for Operations, has announced that he will retire from his position with the City of Roanoke effective Oct. 31, 2010. During his service as Assistant City Manager since 2006, Grigsby managed several departments within the city including Technology, General Services, Civic Facilities, Fire-EMS, Human Resources, and Public Works. While on his watch the city hired Global Spectrum to manage the Roanoke Civic Center; worked closely with First Transit on the transition regarding staff changes for the management of Valley Metro; and led the remodeling of the northern wing of the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, to which various city department offices have been relocated.
Grigsby has served the city for 15 years, beginning with his position as Chief of the Fire-EMS Department in October 1995. As Fire-EMS Chief, Grigsby oversaw the combining of the Fire and EMS functions into one department; developed a Master Plan for the Fire-EMS Department; was with the department when it earned national accreditation in 2002; and led the ISO rate reduction for the city from a Class 3 to Class 2 department. He served in that position until he was appointed as an Acting City Manager in July 2005. Grigsby started his public service career with the Hampton, Va., Fire Department in 1972, and was named Captain. He went on to serve as Fire Chief for the Fire Department of Lee’s Summit, Mo., and as Deputy Chief of Public Safety in the combined Fire/Police Department of Kalamazoo, Mich.
“Jim’s effective management of our departments has been a great asset to Roanoke, and his long experience with city government and public safety agencies has been invaluable in helping our city excel in a broad range of services we provide to residents,” said City Manager Chris Morrill.
Sherman Stovall has been named to fill the position of Assistant City Manager for Operations and will officially begin on Nov. 1, 2010, Stovall currently serves as Director of Management and Budget, a position he has held since June of 2004. He holds a M.B.A. in Business Management from Marshall University and a B.A. in Business Management from Virginia Wesleyan College. Stovall has been employed with the City of Roanoke since September 1994 in various positions within city government. Prior to coming to the City of Roanoke, he held administrative positions with Dominion Bankshares Corporation.
“Sherman’s knowledge of the city, his private and public work experience, education, and performance during the selection process make him the ideal candidate to help shepherd the city organization in these tough economic times,” says Morrill. “In addition, his selection will enable city departments to make a smooth transition for this important change in leadership. He will be a valuable addition to the city’s administrative staff.”
