During a special meeting of the Sandusky City Commission on Aug. 7, the City Commission voted unanimously to appoint John Orzech as city manager, according to a news release.
Orzech had served as the interim city manager since November 2022 after the departure of Eric Wobser.
This announcement followed a nationwide search for a new city manager led by Slavin Management Consultants, according to the release.
“The search for a new city manager has been a longer than expected journey,” said City commission president and ex-officio Mayor Dick Brady in the release. “John never applied for this position.
“It was our Commission that reached out to him to determine his willingness to continue to serve this city as our permanent city manager. Just as so many long journeys end up with the return home, today this City Commission is returning home to one of its own.
“Under John’s leadership over the last nine months, this city has not taken a pause or lost a beat. This city has been blessed with momentum. That momentum is still with us.”
Orzech joined the city of Sandusky in 1997 as an officer with the Sandusky Police Department and was promoted to police chief in April 2013.
In November 2020, Orzech retired from the Police Department and was named assistant city manager, a role he served in until being named interim city manager in November 2022.
“I am deeply honored and humbled by the City Commission’s decision to appoint me as the permanent city manager,” Orzech said in the release. “Serving as the interim city manager over the past nine months, has been a privilege, and I am excited to continue working alongside our dedicated team to enhance the quality of life for our residents and contribute to the growth and prosperity of our city.”
