By Marty Colburn
The Member Success Committee is always looking for positive stories about our MME members. In that vein, I’d like to use this month’s column to recognize two of our long-time MME members—Ray Anderson, former Norway City Manager, and Rob Straebel, former Petoskey and Charlevoix Manager. Ray is retiring and Rob is leaving our state for a new position in Maryland. Here is some information about both:
Ray posted about his plans to retire on the MME listserv. We thought it would be worth sharing this news and we’re re-sharing Ray’s listserv post in this column with his permission. We congratulate Ray on his many dedicated years of service to our profession.
From Ray (pictured above):
Last night was my final council meeting as city manager in Norway. After 22 ½ years I am retiring from my position to start my next chapter. My last official day at the city is April 29th. I want to thank everyone who I’ve had the pleasure of associating with over my tenure, especially those who sat on both the MML board and MME board along with me. For those of you that I have not met, especially our younger managers, keep up the good fight.
This is a challenging, but extremely rewarding, profession–especially with the relationships we can foster amongst colleagues. I would also like to introduce Norway’s new manager, Dan Stoltman. He will be starting (in April of 2022) and I’m sure you will get a chance to meet him at upcoming MML/MME functions.
If you would like to stay in touch, my personal contact information is cell (906) 282-3503 or email randerson@norwaymi.com.
Thanks, Ray, for allowing us to share this and good luck on your future endeavors.
Info about Rob (pictured right):
Our fellow City Manager Rob Straebel recently was serving seven years at the City of Petoskey. He left the city voluntarily with his letter of resignation last October. He has landed a new position of Town Manager in St. Michaels, Maryland. It stands along the Chesapeake Bay. He started the new endeavor April 18. St. Michaels is a community like Petoskey and Charlevoix, that Rob has previously served. I’ve enjoyed serving with Rob “Up North” and appreciate his professionalism. His comments he shared about lessons learned are to have patience and persistence. We wish Rob well on his new endeavor, and when the day comes that he retires, we will find him in northern Michigan once again.
The Member Success Committee is always on the lookout for positive stories about our members, so if you have something to share about yourself or some other MME member please pass it along to me to include in a future MME E-newsletter at mcolburn@traversecitymi.gov. Thank you.
Marty Colburn
Chair, Member Success Committee
City Manager, Traverse City
Martin A. Colburn is the Manager for the City of Traverse City. Before coming to Traverse City, he worked as the city administrator in Mason, Michigan, for 16 years. He has 32 years of city management experience working in Michigan, Wyoming, and Arizona. Marty also worked on the congressional staff of the U.S. House and Senate, and served with the Arizona National Guard for nine years. He holds both a Master’s degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He is married to Betsy, a native Michigander. In his leisure time, he likes to boat, hunt, fish, hike and read, and lives within the City of Traverse City. He can be reached at mcolburn@traversecitymi.gov.