Lendt accepts city manager position

Tyler Lendt, currently the assistant county veterans service officer with Mower County, has accepted the position as New Richland’s city administrator after being offered the position last week.

 

According to Mike Humpal of the Southern Minnesota Service Cooperative (SMSC), who assisted city staff with the recruitment and interview process, it is likely to be mid- to late November before Lendt will be on staff, since he will need to follow the resignation process with Mower County.

 

A short biography shared with the Star Eagle summarizes that Lendt also served as the deputy auditor/treasurer for Mower County. He holds a bachelor's degree in transportation and logistics management and is currently seeking a master’s degree in public administration. Lendt is a U.S. Army veteran who describes himself as bringing a passion for service, organizational development, and process improvement. In addition to his work with Mower County, he has managed large-scale infrastructure projects in the private sector.

 

During an interview last week, Lendt shared that he is married and has two young daughters ages 1 and 3. He told of having spoken with Tony Martens, former city administrator, saying Martens’ commented about the character of the town’s citizens and the quality of New Richland’s city personnel. Lendt is excited at the prospect of “building a work family” in the leadership role. He said he believes in “conscious and conscientious leadership.”

 

“I know I don’t have all the answers,” he said of the challenges the city is facing, “but I look forward to building an atmosphere of teamwork that allows people to contribute their knowledge and expertise.” He mentioned the master’s program he is currently pursuing includes a specific course in grant writing which he is taking to “plug a hole” in his background knowledge for the position.

 

“There are some major tasks ahead,” Lendt acknowledged. “It’s going to take some difficult conversations to decide on the best process for overcoming those challenges. 

 

“That’s why I believe in building partnerships where people can enjoy making contributions and excel.”

 

Also among the finalists for the position were Joseph Darter, property manager with the city of Bloomington, Illinois; Nicholas Devens, supervisor of child protection, licensing and intake with Nicollet County, and Jennifer Mocol-Johnson, water and and natural resources manager with Young Environmental Consulting Group of Brooklyn Center.