Two seasoned professionals assume permanent duties as Arlington deputy city managers

By: M. Rice, city release

Arlington City Manager Trey Yelverton has appointed two new deputy city managers to oversee Neighborhood Services and Economic Development/Capital Investment Service Teams.

The first is Theron Bowman, Ph.D., who has been an acting deputy since the spring when Yelverton was appointed city manager. Bowman has been the city’s police chief since 1999. The Neighborhood Services team will includes Police, Fire, Parks and Recreation, Library, and Code Compliance.

The second new Deputy is Don Jakeway. He will oversee the departments of Community Development and Planning, Water Utilities, Public Works, Economic Development, and the Arlington Municipal Airport.

Bowman began his career in law enforcement in 1983. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology, his master’s degree in public administration and his doctorate in urban and public administration all from the University of Texas at Arlington. While Bowman has significant experience in law enforcement, Yelverton said that he believed that Bowman’s leadership could benefit other lines of City business.

“Theron has more to give the organization,” Yelverton said. “He is a seasoned, tested leader at the City of Arlington, and we can use his management skills in many other areas of the City.”

Bowman has been recognized with the University of Texas at Arlington Distinguished Alumni Award, and he has an extensive history of service in local nonprofit organizations.

He will assume his position immediately. Acting Police Chief Will Johnson will remain in place while a selection process is considered.

Most recently, Jakeway has been the president and CEO of Brooks Development Authority and Brooks City Base Foundation, which was responsible for the development of the former Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. The former base was master planned for reuse as a research and development center.

Jakeway has extensive experience in state economic development. He has been a leader in organizations that are consistently recognized as outstanding economic development agencies. From 2003 – 2006, he was President and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which was a public/private partnership established to serve as a one-stop economic development organization by the State of Michigan. While at the State of Michigan, the corporation was recognized by Site Selection Magazine as one of the “Top 10 Economic Development Agencies in the United States.” He was also Director of the Ohio Department of Development focusing on, among other things, international trade and economic development financing. During his tenure, the department was recognized twice by Site Selection Magazine as one of the “Top 10 Development Agencies in the United States.”

“We were pleased to be able to attract such a highly qualified leader in the economic development profession,” Yelverton said. “Don brings extensive experience and proven success in an area that the City Council has identified as a priority for our community.”

In terms of experience with cities, Jakeway was the Director of Development Services at the City of Sarasota, Florida, from 1985-1991. He oversaw the divisions of Planning and Development, Building and Zoning, Code Enforcement, and Economic Development. Prior to that, he was the economic development director in Lakewood, Ohio.

Jakeway has a bachelor’s in education from Ashland University, in Ashland, Ohio, and a master’s of business administration from Sarasota University. He is involved in many professional and community activities including being on the Board of Directors of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the International Economic Development Council. Additionally, he was recognized with the “Lifetime Leadership Award for Public Service” from the IEDC.

Jakeway’s first day will be October 15.

Prior to Jakeway’s hiring, Jim Parajon was Acting Deputy City Manager. Parajon will return to his position of Director of Community Development and Planning with an expanded scope of duties. He will not only lead the department, but he will oversee the execution of the City’s capital improvement program.