Auburn names new assistant city manager

AUBURN – Brian M. Wood has been named assistant city manager after his confirmation by the City Council June 22.
Wood will replace Phil Crowell, who will become city manager upon Peter Crichton’s retirement June 30.

“I am really looking forward to working with Brian,” said Crowell. “His skills, enthusiasm and experience will be a great complement to our leadership team. He brings so much to the table, from his experience with workforce development, to program implementation and management, to his deep commitment to community engagement. He is a wonderful fit for this community, and I am excited for what lies ahead.” A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Wood has more than 10 years of well-rounded experience in municipal and local government. He earned a degree in political science and sociology from Miami University of Ohio, and brings vast and valuable professional experience to the position.
During his early career, he worked with community-based nonprofits before embarking on the path of local government. Woods has been community relations liaison in the Executive Office of the Mayor of Washington, DC, as well as the Office of the City Administrator, Office of the Chief Technology Officer, and most recently, as senior operations manager in the Office of the City Administrator.
“Growing up with a mother who served as our city’s director of parks and eecreation, I learned early on the impact and excitement that a responsive local government can have on the spirit of a community,” said Wood. “Learning about the city and the history of Auburn, I felt an immediate connection. This was reinforced over several conversations and in-person meetings with the leadership team and Council. I am beyond excited about joining such an inspirational, thoughtfull and dedicated team.
“Under the guidance of City Manager Crowell, Mayor Levesque and a City Council with diverse ideas, but common goals, I am excited to be a part of Auburn’s amazing future,” he said.
Mayor Jason Levesque said, “I’m excited for what Brian’s significant experience in a major metropolitan area will bring to our city. His wealth of knowledge and commitment to municipal government will help us as we move toward becoming one of the greatest small cities in New England.”
Wood will begin his new position in the Assistant City Manager’s Office on Monday, July 20. He will be joined in Auburn by his wife, Simone.