FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of College Park Announces New City Manager
COLLEGE PARK, MD, May 4, 2021 – The City of College Park’s Mayor and Council announced during the May 4 Council Meeting that Natasha S. Hampton has been selected as College Park’s new City Manager. Ms. Hampton’s tenure with the City starts on June 1, 2021. She will be the first woman and first person of color to serve as the City’s chief executive. “The City is very excited to bring Ms. Hampton aboard as our new City Manager” said Mayor Patrick L. Wojahn, “She is a highly regarded leader with a wealth of knowledge and passion for local government.”
Ms. Hampton comes to College Park with more than 23 years of management experience in municipal government. In her previous position as Assistant City Manager of the City of Rocky Mount, NC, Ms. Hampton guided several departments with more than 600 employees in total, and managed a budget exceeding $45 million. During her tenure she acquired additional funding for downtown revitalization, oversaw post construction and development of a $58 million sports and entertainment venue, and established a community wealth building program. Prior to her arrival at Rocky Mount, Ms. Hampton was an Assistant City Manager and Acting City Manager for the City of Miramar, FL. “Ms. Hampton’s excellent references and prominent voice on significant leadership issues were important factors in her selection by the Council. The Council looks forward to her applying this knowledge to advance the City of College Park” said Mayor Pro Tem Monroe Dennis.
Throughout her career, Ms. Hampton has held a wide range of positions in every sector of municipal government. Ms. Hampton is a credentialed City Manager by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), a member of the National League of Cities (NLC), Women in Municipal Government (WIMG), and the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA). Ms. Hampton also serves on the board of the United Way Tar River, March of Dimes North Carolina, and Kiwanis Club of Rocky Mount. She received her master’s degree in public administration from Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida and is a graduate of South Florida’s sole HBCU, Florida Memorial University. As a published author, Ms. Hampton uses her experience in government to encourage and empower women and men in the workplace, particularly in leadership positions. “City staff are looking forward to Ms. Hampton’s leadership, ideas, and energy to successfully carry out the City’s vision” said Interim City Manager Bill Gardiner.
Ms. Hampton fills the position left vacant by previous City Manager Scott Somers who resigned in December 2020 to pursue a position in Arizona. Assistant City Manager Gardiner has served as Interim City Manager during this transition period.
“I am grateful to Mayor Wojahn and the City Council for the opportunity to join the dynamic City of College Park and I look forward to working collaboratively with Council, staff, residents and the business community,” said Ms. Hampton. “Together, we will continue College Park’s approach as industry leaders in economic development, innovation, transformative public services, equitable and inclusive communities, and shared prosperity for all who live, work and play in our City.”
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News and media outlets are encouraged to contact Ryna Quinones regarding any inquiries or stories about the City of College Park. For all media inquiries, please contact her via email at rquinones@collegeparkmd.gov or by phone at (240) 487-3508.