Provo city manager to retire after 20 years

PROVO — Provo's award-winning city manager is retiring after 20 years of service.

Wayne Parker has been Provo's chief administrative officer since 2003. He announced his upcoming retirement to city leaders on Wednesday. City leaders announced the next day Parker's official retirement will take place Sept. 16.

"It has been the greatest honor of my life to have spent the last nearly 20 years serving the residents of Provo. I have come to love this city even more than when I attended school here more than 40 years ago. It has been my home," he said in his letter.

Parker served with three mayors, 33 city council members and dozens of other staff members whom he said "made a positive difference in our unique quality of life" and are "the real heroes as they dedicate their lives and their careers to making life better for our residents."

Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi said Parker has been "instrumental" in moving Provo in a positive direction.

"We will miss his insight and solution-oriented mindset but know he will continue to serve our community in his retirement," Kaufusi said in the news release.

Parker said he has fond memories of Provo and has enjoyed being a part of its growth.

"We've seen significant economic growth spurred by cooperation and collaboration between the public and private sectors," he wrote.

During his time as chief administrative officer, he has been involved in projects such as revitalizing downtown, developing a municipal fiber optic network, initiating the FrontRunner system in the city, creating the Mountain Vista Business Center and Startup District, and the building of a new airport passenger terminal.

Parker earned the 2020 Award for Career Excellence from the International City/County Management Association. Only one city manager wins each year, based on their individual achievements in local government management and creative contributions to the quality of life in communities.

"I have loved my career in local government management and relished the opportunity to serve the residents and elected officials of Provo. Our city employees are really the secret sauce of the city's success. And Provo has the finest residents in the world, which makes our community a great place to live, work and raise a family," Parker wrote.

United Way of Utah President Bill Hulterstrom worked with Parker on the South Franklin Community Center. He said Parker will be greatly missed.

"The citizens of Provo have been blessed to have Wayne Parker serving as (chief administrative officer) for the past 20 years. His fingerprints can be found on so many great community projects," Hulterstrom said. "His service will leave a lasting legacy for us all."

Parker said he is confident community leaders and members will continue to work together to care for the city.

"While I am grateful for being a small part at the nucleus of all of this, I am most grateful for all in Provo who have given so much to this exceptional community," he wrote.

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