Champaign City Manager Carter to Retire After Serving the Community for More Than 27 Years

After serving the Champaign community for more than 27 years, City Manager Steve Carter, informed the Mayor and Council during a Closed Session, that he will retire effective March 29, 2013 (View the Report to Council). Carter who plans to remain in the City says, “after considerable thought, I am pleased to announce my plans for retirement. I have been honored to serve this community and organization for many years and I am proud of the great accomplishments that we have had together. My wife Donna and I have come to love this community and plan to continue to make it our home” he added.

Champaign Mayor Don Gerard says that “Carter has been a strong leader in the Champaign community for over 27 years and has been instrumental in leading our organization and City through many transformational projects and sensitive issues. The countless hours he has given, his loyalty, leadership and compassion to the community has made Champaign a strong, thriving City. We will indeed miss Carter, but definitely share his excitement as he prepares for this special time in his life.”

Carter joined the City of Champaign in February 1985 after serving as City Administrator in Moline, Illinois for six (6) years and Assistant City Manager in Sioux City, Iowa for five (5) years, Project Director for the International City Management Association for two (2) years, and an Intern and Management Assistant in Phoenix, Arizona for three (3) years. In the twenty-seven (27) years of his tenure, Carter has played an integral role in many major City projects and initiatives.

Carter has been involved in City Administration for close to 43 years and has been involved in government service for 45 years. Carter is nationally recognized as a leader amongst his peers. He has been actively involved with the International City and County Management Association, the Illinois City and County Management Association (Past President) and the National Academy of Public Administration. He has authored numerous articles on council-manager government, environmental management, and productivity improvement.

Mayor Gerard acknowledged Carter’s accomplishments and stated “Steve Carter has been an invaluable leader to this community. He is an outstanding City Manager who has given so much to insure that Champaign is the best place to live, work, play and raise a family. He has led the management team and staff for many, many years, with three (3) goals in mind: improving the quality of life for all citizens, working with our residents to maintain healthy neighborhoods and remaining fiscally sound.”

In addition, Carter has been involved in many community activities. He has volunteered with the United Way of Champaign County, Holy Cross Parish, Champaign Rotary Club, and Prairielands Council, Boy Scouts of America.