New assistant city manager makes leap

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A 2009 graduate of Sidney High School and a graduate of the Ohio State University with a degree in city and regional planning, Holloway now is pursuing a master of public administration degree at Wright State University in Fairborn.

While working for a year as a planning consultant for the Corradino Group in Miami, Fla., following college, Holloway found a love for local government.

“It was a great experience,” she said of her year in Florida working as a consultant for several municipalities including Homestead. “It was very warm. I decided that local government was where I wanted to be.”

When a job as Vandalia’s city planner opened, she took the opportunity to get into local government with the added bonus of moving back home.

Holloway’s responsibilities as planner put her in contact with residents and businesses across the community. Among her duties were reviewing permit applications for projects ranging from sheds to developments, performing inspections and processing applications for public hearings.

She also worked closely with the previous assistant city manager on talking to new businesses or those existing but wanting to expand. “I was able to guide them on development standards, things of that nature,” she said.

Her experiences helped lead to a change in career trajectory from planning to becoming a city manager someday.

“While I still enjoy planning, I am working toward that goal. When this position became available, I was offered the opportunity, and simply couldn’t turn it down,” Holloway said. “It is something I am pretty excited about.”

She said she likes local government because “this is where we can make some of the biggest impact in the community. As citizens, that is where you have the power of making the most change, at the local level.”

Holloway said Vandalia has a lot to offer but would tell someone unfamiliar with the community about its “excellent amenities” such as the recreation center and a variety of parks including the Art Park.

A Dayton resident, Holloway said she enjoys spending her spare time with friends and doing yoga. She also enjoys time with her “big fat cat” Bandit.