Fairfield Town Manager Joshua Reny has been tapped to become assistant city manager of South Portland.
The Fairfield native will replace Jon Jennings, who became Portland’s city manager in July.
South Portland received 48 applications for the assistant city manager’s position, according to City Manager Jim Gailey.
“We are thrilled to have Joshua Reny join the city of South Portland team,” Gailey said in a news release Wednesday afternoon. “His business development knowledge and municipal town manager experience will be strong assets he brings to the position.”
Reny, 34, began his municipal government career as Fairfield’s economic and community development director. In that position, he built public-private relationships with businesses and other organizations, Gailey said. Reny also led the town’s effort to update its comprehensive plan, worked to expand the town’s industrial park and became a grant writer familiar with the federal Community Development Block Grant program.
Reny has been Fairfield’s town manager for five years, working with a five-member town council and overseeing more than 70 town employees. He also oversaw a $5 million annual municipal budget challenged by rising education costs, managed a multi-year capital improvement program, drafted ordinances, participated in employee union negotiations and maintained communication with citizens, legislators and other groups.
Reny received the 2014 Rising Star Award from the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, which recognizes a chamber member who is less than 40 years old and demonstrates a combination of business success and community involvement.
Fairfield Town Council Chairman Robert Sezak said Reny’s resignation came as a surprise and Reny’s time in Fairfield’s town government was “nothing but positive.”
Reny said he was attracted to South Portland because it’s “a progressive and forward-thinking community focused on smart growth and sustainability.”
“This is an incredible opportunity for me and I’m looking forward to becoming part of the community and working with such a great team,” Reny said. “I want to help the community realize its goals.”
Reny’s last day in Fairfield will be Sept. 18. He’s expected to start his new job in South Portland in late September. His annual salary will be $80,000, Gailey said.
Reny has a bachelor’s degree in international studies from the University of Maine at Farmington and a master’s degree in public policy and management from the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine.
Reny is a member of the Air National Guard who has served tours of duty in the Middle East and Europe. He joined in Maine, serving with the 243rd Engineering and Installation Squadron in South Portland for almost 10 years before joining the Vermont Air National Guard.
Staff Writer Peter McGuire contributed to this story.
Kelley Bouchard can be reached at 791-6328 or at:
Twitter: KelleyBouchard
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