Mark Kibby named new economic development director

The City of Taylor has appointed Mark A. Kibby as the new director of Economic Development. Kibby served as the city administrator in Allen Park since 2015.

"We are really excited to have someone with Mark's background on our team," Mayor Tim Woolley said. "He brings with him a vast amount of municipal experience involving various communities across the Downriver region. It wasn't easy to fill this position for many reasons. But somewhere it says that good fortune finds those who are patient."

Allen Park Mayor Gail McLeod recently told The News-Herald Newspapers that she was sad to see Kibby leave for several reasons. "Mark became the city administrator while Allen Park was under state receivership following our tenure under a financial emergency manager," she said. "When he assumed his position in 2015, our bond rating was CCC, which is junk bond status. Our current bond rating is A+, the highest it has ever been.

"We continue to have an adequate fund balance, as required by the state, and are funding our pension fund above the required minimum percentage. Through his efforts and working with the great team of department heads he has assembled over the years, the city finally moved into a permanent City Hall and Police Department in May of 2018 after spending over 40 years in temporary facilities."

As city administrator in Allen Park, Kibby's time working in economic development was limited. That won't be the case now, something he will greatly enjoy.

"This is a great opportunity to work for the City of Taylor and to work with the great team that has been assembled here," he said. "Economic development is something I have loved doing over my previous 26 years, but it has been limited because of my role as the city administrator for the community or because of the difficulties that the community may have had at the time.

"This is the first time that my role has not included city administration, so I will now be able to focus all my attention on economic development. My love for the economic development area stems back to my days at the University of Detroit Mercy, where I studied Architecture for 2 ½ years before switching my major to Political Science. I am hoping that my background in architecture will help as we review projects and site plans."

Kibby started his position with Taylor on October 14.

He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Detroit Mercy in 1996 and his Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of Michigan - Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies in 1998.

He has over 26 years of experience with the cities of Allen Park, Woodhaven, Gibraltar and Melvindale. He also served 2 ½ years on the Melvindale City Council. He is a member of the Michigan Municipal Executives (MME), Michigan Public Employer Labor Relations Association (MPELRA), and the American Public Works Association (APWA) - Downriver Branch.

He and his wife, Jeannie, are residents of Trenton. Jeannie is a payment resolution supervisor with Trinity Health. Son Matthew is graduate of Adrian College and Syracuse University - Newhouse School of Public Communications. He is currently the play-by-play voice of the University of Detroit Mercy men's and women's soccer teams.

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