NEW ALBANY, OHIO — New Albany City Council voted on Tuesday, Oct. 20, to authorize the negotiation and execution of an agreement with Michael Stevens to serve as the City’s next City Manager. The decision follows a months-long search and competitive selection process.
“We are pleased to welcome Michael Stevens as New Albany’s next City Manager. He brings extensive experience in municipal leadership, economic development, and innovation, along with a strong understanding of how strategic planning and investment can shape a community’s future,” said New Albany Mayor Sloan Spalding. “His experience and leadership will be valuable as we continue to build on New Albany’s success, support our residents and businesses, and preserve the quality of life that makes our community special. I am confident Mike will help position New Albany for continued success in the years ahead.”
Stevens was appointed to the role of Director of Development for the City of Columbus in April 2020. Prior to that, he served as the City of Columbus’ first Chief Innovation Officer, where he was responsible for the Smart Columbus initiative. From 2007 to 2012, Stevens served as the Deputy Development Director for the City of Columbus, overseeing economic development and planning.
From 2012 to 2017, Stevens served as president and CEO of Lake County Partners, a 501(c)(3) economic development corporation that works to maintain the economic vitality and quality of life in Lake County, Il. He also served as the Director of Economic Development for the City of Dublin and as the Assistant Service Director for the City of Huron, Oh.
In the private sector, Stevens worked in the corporate real estate group at Cardinal Health, Inc. He is a proud graduate of The Ohio State University, where he earned degrees from the Fisher College of Business and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs.
City Manager Joseph Stefanov to Retire After 27 Years of Service
The leadership transition comes as current City Manager Joseph Stefanov prepares to retire, concluding 27 years of service to New Albany. As the City’s longest-serving professional CEO, Stefanov has helped guide the community through significant growth and build the organization that serves it today.
Stefanov began his career with the Village of New Albany on Jan. 3, 2000, when the community had approximately 3,300 residents and a staff of about 20 employees. Under his leadership, New Albany has grown to a population of approximately 11,250 residents across nearly 22.3 square miles. The City’s workforce has also grown significantly, with more than 150 full-time employees today.
Stefanov said he began his tenure with three goals: to create a workplace where employees could grow professionally and enjoy coming to work, to build a financially strong and fiscally responsible organization, and to develop infrastructure that would create a vibrant, welcoming community for generations to come. He said he is proud of the progress made in each area.
“I believe we’ve accomplished all three of these goals during my 27 years with the City,” Stefanov said. “We’ve put infrastructure in place that will serve as a catalyst for commercial development and new amenities for our residents for years to come. Our parks, beautiful public spaces, and community amenities make New Albany a place where people want to live, work, and visit. I’m extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I believe we’ve only begun to realize what’s possible for New Albany.”
Mayor Spalding also expressed his appreciation for Stefanov’s decades of service and the lasting impact of his leadership.
“Joe Stefanov’s decades of dedicated service have helped shape New Albany into the thriving community we enjoy today,” Mayor Spalding said. “His commitment to strategic planning, responsible financial management, and long-term investment has helped position our City for continued success. Just as importantly, he has helped build a strong organization and a team dedicated to serving our residents and businesses. On behalf of City Council, I want to thank Joe for his many years of service and the lasting legacy he leaves behind.”
