Galesburg’s new city manager is now on the job.
Eric Hanson comes to Galesburg from the Town of Normal, where he was assistant city manager since 2019.
His first day at City Hall was Monday.
Hanson has strong ties to western Illinois. He is a graduate of Cambridge High School and Monmouth College, and also has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Illinois-Springfield.
Prior to his last position in Normal, Hanson served in city administration in Ballwin, Missouri; Indianola, Iowa; and Monmouth.
Hanson also worked on the China Initiative with the former Galesburg Regional Economic Development Association.
He’s worked on over $1 billion in economic development projects and over $100 million in capital improvements for the cities he has served, according to a city press release.
Hanson is active in professional organizations such as the International City/County Management Association and Illinois City Management Association.
A welcome reception for Hanson is planned for 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at city hall, 55 W. Tompkins St. The reception is open to the public.
Hanson will be paid $185,000 a year. He was unanimously appointed by the city council in October, following a search conducted by GovHR.
Since the city approved a separation agreement with former city manager Gerald Smith in June, the city’s top leadership position had been filled by several acting and interim managers, most recently John Schlaf.
