Burien residents can meet the five finalists for the city’s next city manager, including two current city employees, and share feedback with the City Council during a ‘Meet & Greet’ event on Monday, Nov. 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. at City Hall.
The City Council narrowed the field after reviewing the qualifications of 14 applicants in executive session Oct. 26. During the regular meeting, councilmembers selected five candidates and two alternates. All five finalists confirmed their interest in proceeding.
Residents can share their feedback about the candidates with the council through a short online survey after the Nov. 16 event.
Final Candidates
Below is a list of the finalists:
- Mandy Wagner (Lenexa, KS)
- Rod Steitzer (Burien, WA)
- Nilesh Mehta (West Covina, CA)
- Richard Marsh, Jr. (Wellton, AZ)
- Lorraine Chachere (Burien, WA)
Two of the candidates are from within the city’s ranks:
Rod Steitzer has served as Burien’s public works director since September 2024 and briefly stepped in as acting city manager in April 2026 before interim City Manager Bob Larson arrived. He brings roughly 30 years of public works experience, including more than two decades with the city of Kirkland. A licensed Washington civil engineer, Steitzer holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Washington. His background includes capital planning, securing project funding, infrastructure improvements and working with residents, elected officials and regional partners.
Lorraine Chachere, a Burien resident originally from San Diego, has served as the city’s economic development specialist since 2019. Previously Auburn’s tourism coordinator, she brings experience in hospitality, tourism and business development. She holds a geography degree from Clark University, graduated from Kendall College’s culinary arts program and serves on Highline College’s Board of Trustees.
Other finalists include:
Mandy Wagner is assistant general manager of WaterOne in Lenexa, Kansas, overseeing human resources, communications, customer service and field services. She joined the utility in 2012 after serving as finance director in Atchison and assistant city manager in Derby, Kansas. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Kansas and a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Illinois State University.
Nilesh Mehta serves as assistant city manager of West Covina, California, bringing a background in public sector finance and management to Burien’s search. His professional experience includes work in several Southern California communities, including Whittier, Redondo Beach, Los Angeles and Villa Park, according to his professional profile. Mehta holds a master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance from California State University, Fullerton.
Richard Marsh Jr. has served as town manager of Wellton, Arizona, since January 2022, bringing municipal leadership experience from communities in Arizona and Michigan. His previous positions include city administrator in Ecorse and Benton Harbor, Michigan, and city manager in Bisbee, Arizona, and Inkster and Bangor, Michigan. He also served as assistant city manager for operations in Jackson, Michigan, and as a special aide to the mayor of River Rouge, Michigan.
Starting Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 9 a.m., the candidates will be interviewed by both City staff leadership and City Council. The City Council interviews will be conducted during an open public meeting, with executive session and potential action to follow.
Burien community members will have the opportunity to meet and evaluate city manager candidates during an open house event on Monday, November 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Burien City Hall’s Council Chambers. https://t.co/e2mCcdgLmm https://t.co/TnfLGrgBf5
— City of Burien, WA (@Burien) November 2, 2026
Links:
- Candidate Resumes and Photos
- City Manager Candidate Community Open House Event (November 16, 2026)
- Search for Next Burien City Manager Begins (September 14, 2026)
