Cumley named to replace retiring city manager

Cumley was named the successor to City Manager Tom Finnie, who announced last week that he’s retiring April 24 after 15 years in the position. The promotion is contingent on City Council approving a new contract at its Oct. 17 meeting.

Finnie’s current salary is $153,752, but Public Information Director Louise Whall said that could change when Cumley’s contract is finalized. His current salary is $133,851.

“Bob has been an outstanding leader for the city for many years, and we have utmost confidence in his abilities for the city manager’s job,” Carlson said in a release. “He has been deeply involved in all of our ongoing initiatives ranging from Vision 20/20 to our extensive capital improvements program, so he’ll provide the continuity we need to keep our agenda moving forward.”

Cumley, 62, was named deputy city manager earlier this year, after serving as assistant city manager since 1983. He’s been a Springfield city employee for 32 years, beginning as director of personnel in 1973. Cumley holds a master’s degree in business administration from Missouri State University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wichita State University.

He said he was surprised and honored by the decision to promote him at this stage in his career, just three weeks from retirement eligibility.

“The mayor talked to me a while back, just to see if I would be interested in staying on; he knew that I was planning retirement sometime in 2006,” Cumley said. “I was just going to do something else. He asked me if I’d be willing to discuss the possibility of staying on a little longer, and I said yes.”

Assistant City Manager Evelyn Honea will continue in her current position.

Click here for the full story from Oct. 10.

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