No. 4: Leadership uncertainty leaves public entities in flux

While the circumstances of each were markedly different, leadership transitions at Missouri State University and the city of Springfield leave remaining questions and challenges at the public entities.

The MSU Board of Governors on Nov. 22 voted to keep newly hired President Richard “Biff” Williams in his position in the wake of a lawsuit filed against the university executive in Utah.

Williams is accused in a Nov. 7 lawsuit with other defendants of creating a hostile and retaliatory work environment at Utah Tech University, for which he served as president before coming to MSU. Williams became MSU’s president on July 1, succeeding Clif Smart.

The lawsuit alleges Williams and other top leaders at Utah Tech established a “poisoned well” with alleged discrimination and retaliation against the plaintiffs surrounding Title IX protections. Williams has admitted to an act that’s part of the lawsuit; in it, he crafted in which he crafted an obscene display of vegetables on the front porch of a Utah Tech colleague.

A day prior to the MSU board’s decision on the matter, the university Faculty Senate passed a no-confidence vote against Williams, with some members noting the Title IX allegations in the Utah lawsuit have cast MSU in a bad light – particularly as it searches for a new provost.

Provost John Jaskinski in December indicated he would leave MSU earlier than previously announced. Tamera Jahnke, dean of the MSU College of Natural and Applied Sciences, was named interim provost amid a search.

The MSU board has not provided a reason for the decision to keep Williams in his role.

“This decision was made after thoughtful consideration of the viewpoints heard from all constituencies,” a statement from the board reads. “Missouri State University has very high expectations for our leaders personally and professionally, and President Williams is working with the board on actions that he will take as part of his commitment to strengthening relationships across our campus community.”

At MSU, Williams’ annual base salary is $475,000, plus an annual housing allowance of $50,000 and up to $50,000 in annual incentive payments based upon the achievement of specified metrics.

At the Springfield municipality, City Manager Jason Gage in October tendered his resignation, with an effective date of Jan. 11, 2025. Prior to his announcement, Gage was in the running for the city manager role in Manhattan, Kansas, but he ultimately withdrew from consideration, saying that “leaving Springfield just didn’t feel right.” Gage in December also was announced as a finalist for city manager in St. Joseph, but that job went to another candidate.

In October, Mayor Ken McClure described Gage’s resignation as a “mutual agreement with City Council” after the governing body voted 8-1 in closed session to approve the city manager’s separation agreement.

The municipality’s separation agreement with Gage, who earns an annual salary of nearly $268,000, points to total severance in the amount of $415,605.

Council voted Dec. 16 to appoint Deputy City Manager Collin Quigley as interim city manager.

Council is working with executive search firm Strategic Governmental Resources on a nationwide search for Gage’s permanent successor. The city expects to post the vacancy announcement in the first week of January and hold an initial screening of candidates in February and March.