Steve Rymer

Steve Rymer has over 30 years of public sector leadership with extensive experience in general management, developing high-performing teams, partnerships and regionalization, continuous improvement, organizational effectiveness, cost recovery and sustainability, financial management, and strategic planning, among others. His style has a bias towards teamwork, action, results, and optimism. He works to inspire others to come together with a shared mission and shared ownership of outcomes. Steve has been effective because he defines success as what works for all parties. He is genuine in his care for people and is known for facing challenging situations with positivity.

Steve served as City Manager/Administrator in California, Minnesota, and Oregon, providing him with diverse experiences and perspectives. During his time as City Manager in Tigard, Oregon, the community was experiencing a time of significant growth and transformation. Tigard is recognized as a state leader for its progressive and equity-centered housing, economic development, and transportation policies. During Steve’s tenure, Tigard’s credit rating was upgraded to AAA by Standard & Poor’s and many best practices were implemented to position the organization for success.

Rochester is the third-largest city and home to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic. As City Administrator, Steve provided leadership for the largest public/private economic development effort in Minnesota history known as Destination Medical Center (DMC), which was a 20-year initiative that has the ambitious goal of being the global destination for health and wellness. DMC leverages $585 million in public funds for $5 billion in private investment.

While in Morgan Hill, California, Steve and his teammates advanced many initiatives to sustain a strong economy, healthy environment, and inclusive community. He worked closely with many regional partners to leverage resources and resolve common issues. This included Cal Fire, Santa Clara County Library Authority, South County Regional Wastewater Authority, Silicon Valley Regional Interoperability Authority, and Silicon Valley Clean Energy, among others.

During his career, Steve was actively involved and oversaw these notable initiatives:

• Re-established the Morgan Hill Fire Department, saving the General Fund $1 million annually.
• Achieved 100 percent cost-recovery in recreation services by increasing non-tax revenues from $2.7 million to $5.1 million.
• Developed Tigard’s American Rescue Plan Act strategy with housing and economic security; community resiliency; connectivity and access in underserved areas; individual and family support; and sustaining city services as its pillars.
• Provided leadership for Tigard’s overwhelmingly successful Public Safety local option property tax renewal levy (78% yes) and new City Charter (72% yes) ballot measures.
• Collaborated with 10 cities and Santa Clara County to create Silicon Valley Clean Energy for the provision of clean, renewable energy to the region.
• Led the establishment of Rochester’s first Community Development Department with the vision “to be recognized as America’s most innovative development services team.”
• Designed and implemented an innovative operating model combining Rochester’s convention center and convention and visitor’s bureau saving over $1 million annually.
• Guided approval of the DMC multi-modal Integrated Transit Studies to shift downtown single occupancy vehicle trips from 71% to 43%.

Steve holds a Master of Arts in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Park, and Leisure Studies.