Jim Woolford named to succeed Bob Karls as Pontiac City Administrator
For the first time since 1982, the city of Pontiac will have a new administrator. Current City Administrator Bob Karls announced his retirement to take place in 2022 upon the hiring of his successor. On May 16, that successor will be appointed.
On Wednesday afternoon, Pontiac Police Chief Jim Woolford was named as the successor to Karls, who is the only city administrator the City of Pontiac has had, and will be officially named city administrator at the next city council meeting, which is May 16.
Karls is the only city administrator Pontiac has had, taking the job in 1982 after the city opted to add the position.
“I am a mission driven leader,” Woolford said upon his acceptance of the city administrator's position. “I believe all people deserve unconditional respect. I am truly humbled and honored for this opportunity with an amazing city and staff. I look forward to what we can do together.”
Woolford was a final candidate with two other city officials — City Engineer Brian Verdun and Parks and Rec Director Taylor Baxter. Woolford's recommendation came from a job search through the consulting firm GovHR and solicited applications for the position from existing City of Pontiac department heads.
“Pontiac is lucky to have such a strong team of leaders in our department heads and we were pleased that we had exceptional candidates step forward for consideration,” Mayor Bill Alvey said in a press release from the city. “Chief Woolford has a proven track record as a leader not only within his department but also within our community.”
Woolford will be officially appointed on May 16 but will not take over full responsibilities. Woolford and Karls will work on a transition plan, which will include a change at the top for the Pontiac Police Department. A successor to Woolford will also need to be named and will part of the transition planning work that will be taking place.
Woolford has been a member of the Pontiac Police Department since January 1994 and has held numerous positions within the department including patrol officer, sergeant, patrol commander and administrative commander. He was appointed Chief of Police in 2012.
Prior to joining the Pontiac Police Department, Woolford served in the United States Army as a member of the Military Police. He was deployed to the Persian Gulf for Operation Desert Storm from October 1990 through March 1991.
Woolford holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Science and a Master of Arts Degree in Public Administration. He also attended the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., in 2008.
Originally from Streator, Woolford is married and the Woolfords have three children. He is also currently the board chairman of the Vermilion Valley 9-1-1 Center and is a member of the Livingston County Drug Court.
Final terms of Woolford’s appointment to the city administrator position are still being negotiated. Those terms will be made public prior to the meeting on May 16.
This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Woolford named to succeed Karls as Pontiac City Administrator
