Branson names finalists for administrator position

Mayor Raeanne Presley and the board interviewed several candidates in late April and narrowed the field to two: Dan Galloway, city manager in Stillwater, Okla.; and Dean Kruithof, deputy city manager in Fort Smith, Ark.

A public reception with Galloway and Kruithof has been scheduled for 5–7 p.m. May 15 at the Branson Convention Center, according to the city’s Web site. The board will vote on the candidates soon after, and the new administrator could begin in early summer.

Galloway has 30 years of experience in public administration, according to a city news release. Before working as city manager for communities in both the Tulsa, Okla., and Oklahoma City metro areas, he was a program director for a joint federal-state planning agency for the Upper Mississippi and Missouri River system.

In Stillwater, Galloway also is vice chairman of the Oklahoma Technology and Research Park.

Kruithof has more than 27 years of broad municipal management experience, according to the release. He has held administrative positions in Wichita, Kan.; Stillwater; Pittsburg, Kan.; and DeKalb, Ill.

During his tenure in Fort Smith ¬– where he became deputy city manager in 1999 – Kruithof has led a number of capital improvement projects, including development of a convention center, street improvements and a regional water supply expansion. He also spearheaded the city’s first comprehensive development plan.

Branson’s city administrator position opened up last July with Terry Dody’s resignation.