HITCHCOCK WELCOMES MARIE GELLES AS CITY’S NEW ADMINISTRATOR

Following an extensive recruitment process that attracted some 35 candidate applications, the Hitchcock City Commission voted Friday to select Marie Gelles as city administrator, effective immediately.  The City has not had a city administrator on staff since August 1991.
Mayor Dorothy Childress stated, “The city commission is extremely impressed with Ms. Gelles’ background in economic development, city infrastructure, financial acumen, and her high ethical standards.  She is clearly a skilled and respected professional city administrator who will bring a tremendous amount of experience and value to all aspects of our City.  We welcome Ms. Gelles to this new position and look forward to a positive and productive association.”
Ms. Gelles’ experience in municipal government spans over thirty years.  She worked for the City of San Antonio in their Budget and Research Department, and then with Bexar County, where she served as the Assistant Commissioner Court Administrator.  She was also employed by San Antonio Water System (SAWS) as its economic development manager.  Additionally she has served as City Administrator for the City of Helotes, Texas, and City Manager for the City of Cuero, Texas.  Ms. Gelles worked for the city of Castroville for the past eight years, her last two as City Administrator.  While there she was largely responsible for upgrading the city’s Wastewater Treatment plant, its water line replacements, contract negotiations, city hall renovation, re-financing of city debt, development and updating of personnel policies and procedures, including purchasing, budget and cash handling.  She developed an Employee Appraisal Program and Pay Plan, where she maintained the property tax rate for 5 years during an economic downturn and increased the city’s general fund balance by over one million dollars.
Ms. Gelles has received the Platinum Certificate Award by the Texas State Comptroller’s Office Leadership for financial transparency.
Ms. Gelles holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Administration and Policy degree, both from the University of Nevada, Reno.  She is a member of the International City Managers’ Association (ICMA), Texas City Management Association (TCMA), and Governmental Finance Officers’ Association (GFOA).