Cameron takes oath of office, officially assumes city manager role

Provided by City of Springfield

David Cameron takes the oath of office, administered by City Clerk Anita Cotter, on July 7 at the Busch Municipal Building.

David Cameron was sworn in this morning as Springfield city manager.

City Clerk Anita Cotter administered the oath of office in front of a crowd of city staff and community leaders at the Busch Municipal Building.

In his remarks after taking the oath, Cameron said he plans to capitalize on the energy of the city.

“I’m looking forward to building on what we can make Springfield as we move forward,” he said. “It’s an incredible city.”

Cameron also thanked Mayor Jeff Schrag, who was not in attendance due to illness, and the rest of Springfield City Council for their support and vote of confidence.

“I’m ready to get to work with you,” he said. “I’m ready to collaborate and communicate where we can move Springfield forward.”

A divided council approved Cameron’s hire on May 27 with a vote of 5-4. Cameron was named among three finalists for the role and comes to the city after serving nine years as the Republic city administrator.

Cameron spoke this morning of his humble beginnings, noting how he grew up 30 miles west of Springfield in Miller, Missouri, and started his career as a wastewater operator.

“This is one of the coolest opportunities to be the 14th city manager because many already know I grew up in a small town just down the road, and I grew up in small beginnings, and I understand what it’s like to have to work your way as an employee to this position and what it takes and what it requires to do that,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter where you start but where it can take you with just heart and conviction and compassion,” he said. “And I promise you as your leaders, that I will come to work every day with a sense of urgency, compassion, humility and care about the greatest assets we have, which are our employees.”

Cameron also made special thanks to one city employee, Collin Quigley, who served as interim city manager for seven months after former City Manager Jason Gage’s exit and through the search process.

“For him to step in over the last six or seven months to do the job that he’s done and to watch it from a distance is impressive,” Cameron said, “and it speaks of his leadership and his commitment to the city of Springfield. But I’ve also had a front row seat for nine years to watch what he’s meant to the region. Collin, thank you for your service.”

Cameron previously told SBJ his early priorities include building trust among stakeholders and removing obstacles that keep city staff from effectively serving the community.

In the role, he will lead roughly 1,900 employees and a city budget topping half a billion dollars.

Cameron will be paid a salary of $350,000.