Fairborn replaces two city manager candidates after withdrawals

Two candidates for Fairborn city manager have withdrawn from consideration, while city council has identified two new candidates to interview for the vacant job, the firm conducting the city’s search confirms.

John J. Murphy and Lowell Crow have withdrawn their names from consideration, while Rob Anderson, Fairborn economic development director, and Chris Philbrick, the former U.S. Army garrison commander of Fort Irwin. Calif., from 2005 to 2008, are now in the running.

Remaining under consideration are Thomas Thomas, the former Rock Island, Ill., city manager, and John Jezak, the Maumee, Ohio city administrator, said Colin Baenziger, who heads up the Florida-based firm conducting Fairborn’s nationwide search for city manager.

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The new candidate, Philbrick, formerly reported directly to the U.S. Secretary of Defense regarding Base Realignment and Closure, or BRAC, implementation, according to his resume.

Last week, Dayton Development Coalition CEO Jeff Hoagland warned a BRAC process could begin this year impacting Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, which borders Fairborn and is the state’s largest single employer.

RELATED: BRAC closures possible this year

Murphy, the city manager of Hobbs, N.M., and Crow, the city administrator of Monmouth, Ill., each withdrew due to opportunities elsewhere, Baenziger said.

“Unfortunately, after discussing the timeline with my family, I was not going to be able to make a decision this week,” Murphy told this newsroom by email. “Therefore, I have notified the consultant I needed to withdraw and will not be coming in this week.”

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Baenziger said Murphy is under consideration for a job in New Jersey “that will pay him a lot more money” and is much closer to family. Baenziger said Crow is under consideration for a position in Virginia.

Citizens can meet the candidates from 7-9 p.m., Thursday at a reception at the Holiday Inn, 2800 Presidential Drive in the Challenger/Discovery Room. Refreshments will be provided, according to the city, and citizens are encouraged to attend.

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