Manassas names new city manager

After a year of looking, the city of Manassas’ search for a new city manager has come to an end.

The Manassas City Council announced the selection of Steve Burke as the new city manager during a council meeting Nov. 25, according to a release from the city. 

Burke was named following an extensive nationwide search and will assume his new position on Feb. 3. Burke, who is currently an assistant city manager for Operations and Director of Public Works, returned to the city in January after serving as town manager of Luray. 

He previously served as the city’s public works director from 2016 to 2018, as the town manager for Front Royal and has more than 30 years of experience in local government positions in Florida and Virginia. 

In Manassas, he has led efforts to update the Pavement Management Plan and to initiate the Utility Cost of Service and Rate Study.

In his role as town manager for Luray, he oversaw daily operations, zoning administration, developed and managed the annual budget and capital improvement budget and coordinated the town’s COVID-19 response, the release said.

He holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from the University of Florida and is a registered professional engineer in Virginia and Florida. He and his wife, Cary, live in the city. 

“I greatly appreciate the opportunity from the mayor and the members of City Council to serve the residents of Manassas as the City Manager,” Burke said in the release. “I look forward to working with the City Council and the outstanding members of the City staff to continue to make Manassas a wonderful place to live, work, play and visit.” 

To assist in the process to find its next manager, the city issued a request for proposals from firms interested in providing executive search services. Following interviews, the council last November selected Tysons-based CPA firm Baker Tilly US, LLP for nearly $27,000.

The council provided input into the candidate review process, and Baker Tilly then began recruiting qualified applicants.

No candidate emerged after interviews last fall. During the second-round search, over 100 applicants were considered, and Burke was among five candidates presented to the council by Baker Tilly for consideration.

Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger and councilmembers thanked Interim City Manager Doug Keen for his service during the last year.

Keen assumed the interim role after the departure of former City Manager W. Patrick Pate, who became the city manager of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in November of last year.

Keen will return to his position as assistant city manager and police chief.

Burke’s Feb. 3 start date will give him the opportunity to ensure a new water and sewer director is in place, begin the search for a new director of public works and advance capital projects, the release said.