Brent Stockwell, Tigard’s new City Manager, started his role on June 1, and his enthusiasm for the community is evident.
Within a short time, he has explored local parks such as Summerlake City Park, Cook Family Park, Dirksen Nature Park, and Bonita Park, while also discovering Symposium on Main Street as a popular spot for coffee and conversations.
Stockwell’s mission is clear; he is dedicated to engaging with local residents, familiarizing himself with city staff, and collaborating with fellow city managers in the area.
His commitment extends to learning about regional partnerships, including those with the Metro Council, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, and Clean Water Services.
“I’ve met local business people, been to the food pods at Universal Plaza, attended the Leadership Tigard graduation at Broadway Rose, participated in community events like the Juneteenth celebration, walked in the Tigard-Tualatin School District’s Pride parade, and attended the Fourth of July drone show,” he shared.
Looking Back at His Path to Public Administration
Stockwell’s interest in public administration is deeply rooted in his upbringing in Lawrence, Kansas.
He recalls, “I grew up in a great community that had a great local government.”
His neighbors included the public works director and a local youth worker, both of whom had parks named in their honor, greatly influencing his career aspirations.
By the time he graduated from Kansas State University, Stockwell was determined to pursue a career in city management.
“My senior year, I surveyed local business leaders about economic development and traffic issues, which showed me how community issues could be resolved,” he explained.
Seeking a change of scenery, Stockwell chose to further his education in the Pacific Northwest, earning a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Washington.
During his studies, he also completed the Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program and interned in Federal Way, where he helped develop creative approaches for a young city.
“During my internship, I saved the city hundreds of thousands of dollars on a program,” he recalled, highlighting how his efforts benefitted the early stages of local governance.
Early Career and Achievements
The economic downturn caused by Boeing’s layoffs in 1993 made job hunting challenging, but Stockwell found temporary refuge in Arizona, where he stayed for over three decades.
His career spanned work in the state, a local non-profit, the City of Mesa, and over two decades in Scottsdale, including a decade serving as the assistant city manager.
In Scottsdale, he focused on community engagement, often addressing complex issues that demanded collaboration.
For instance, he led a project on regulating short-term rentals, forming a working group of community members and business owners to develop consensus-oriented recommendations.
The entire city council later approved the proposals unanimously after extensive discussions and consultations with residents and businesses.
Stockwell’s efforts paved the way for effective implementation, including utilizing revenues from the rental program to enhance police presence and update nuisance ordinances.
He was also involved in tackling challenges related to scooters, autonomous vehicles, and arts and culture, all while promoting transparency and high performance in governance.
Tigard’s Vision and Stockwell’s Commitments
Now in Tigard, Stockwell aims to build on the strong foundation laid by the city’s leadership.
He appreciates Tigard’s fiscally conservative approach and believes that city services are essential, highlighting the importance of maintaining parks so children can enjoy sports activities.
Stockwell has outlined five key areas of focus in his new role: building relationships, listening and learning, collaborating with the community, responding to needs, and delivering results.
“I want to dedicate my first few months to listening and learning,” he stated, emphasizing his desire to understand both the community’s needs and the workings of city staff.
He supports the recent establishment of the Lake Oswego Tigard Water Partnership, which allows Tigard and Lake Oswego to manage their water source more independently, previously relying on the City of Portland.
Stockwell recognizes that many residents may not fully understand the significance of city services, stating, “Cities invest considerably in their infrastructure and maintenance.”
He brings attention to the critical need for preparedness, especially in the context of potential natural disasters.
“Every 30 years, cities must invest significantly in their facilities,” he noted, pointing out that many of Tigard’s structures are aging and overcrowded, with only the library being built to higher seismic standards.
“After a disaster, resources such as police, fire, public works, and water services are vital for recovery,” he emphasized, advocating for proactive planning ahead of emergencies.
Looking ahead, Stockwell intends to propose funding for a new police and public works facility, projected to cost around $150 million, built to contemporary seismic standards.
He has already achieved one of his personal objectives: fostering relationships through numerous coffee shop visits, where he connects with residents about ways to improve city services.
Reflecting on his professional journey, Stockwell remarked, “I’ve had a good career so far with lots of opportunities.”
His relocation to Tigard represents a significant step backward toward his roots in the Northwest.
“When I received outreach in February suggesting the city was looking for a manager, I researched and found Tigard to be a special place,” he shared.
“With a fantastic group of elected officials, I felt this was a place we could call home, and I was thrilled when I received the call offering me the position.”
After concluding their life in Scottsdale, Stockwell and his wife moved to Tigard just days before his first day at work.
They chose an apartment within walking distance of his office, while their three adult children, ages 19 to 27, continue to live in Arizona.
“They’ll be visiting us here,” he added, looking forward to creating new memories in their new home.
image source from：tigardlife
