Clayton Appoints New City Manager

May 28, 2008

The City of Clayton is pleased to announce the appointment of Craig S. Owens as the new Clayton City Manager, effective July 1, 2008. As Clayton’s City Manager, he will oversee seven different departments with 180 full-time employees, and an annual City budget of over $37 million.

Since 2005, Mr. Owens has served as City Manager for the City of Rowlett, Texas, which has an annual budget of $81 million and 350 full-time employees. Mr. Owens has over seventeen years of city management experience in the St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago and Dallas Metropolitan Areas. A native of Overland Park, Kansas, he received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois and his Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas.

Mr. Owens is very familiar with the St. Louis area having served as City Administrator of the City of O’Fallon, Illinois from 1999 to 2002 and Assistant City Manager of Hazelwood, Missouri from 1994 to 1999. “My family and I are excited about returning to the St. Louis area. I am honored to have been selected to serve as City Manager for the City of Clayton given its outstanding quality of life and status as a regional leader.”

The selection of Mr. Owens culminates a six-month process, which generated over 50 applications from across the country. After extensive evaluation, Mr. Owens was unanimously identified by the Board as the best candidate to assume the position of City Manager in Clayton.

In announcing this appointment, Mayor Linda Goldstein said, “Craig has an impressive background in public administration. I am very pleased he has agreed to accept this new challenge.”

Mayor Goldstein indicated that Mr. Owens will succeed former City Manager Mike Schoedel, who left in February 2008 to take a position with Apex family of companies.