Mesa City Manager Scott Butler Announces Key Additions to his Executive Staff

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~ Mesa City Manager Scott Butler has announced significant changes to the City's executive leadership team, with the goal of strengthening the organization and addressing Mesa's evolving needs and continued growth. These changes include the promotion of Deputy City Manager Marc Heirshberg to Assistant City Manager, as well as the appointments of former Mesa Police Chief Kenneth Cost and current Glendale Deputy City Manager Brent Stoddard as Assistant City Managers.

According to Butler, these appointments reflect a strategic investment in Mesa's future. "We are bringing together exceptional leaders who understand the complexities of municipal government and share our commitment to delivering outstanding services to Mesa residents and businesses," he stated. "Together, we will continue building on Mesa's success while positioning the City for future growth and innovation."

Butler also recognized the continued outstanding service of Deputy City Manager and CFO Michael Kennington and Deputy City Manager Candice Cannistraro, who will remain integral to Mesa's success. Both leaders have played vital roles in the city's strategic direction and operational excellence.

The new organizational structure reflects Mesa's commitment to strategic leadership and operational excellence. This includes the return of former Mesa Police Chief Kenneth Cost as Assistant City Manager beginning in early September. Cost retired in June 2025 after 30 years of distinguished service at one of Mesa's largest and most complex departments. He applied for the position through a competitive process and was selected based on his exceptional leadership experience.

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During his tenure as Police Chief from 2019 to 2025, Cost transformed the Mesa Police Department into a model law enforcement agency. Under his leadership, Mesa was named the second safest major city in the United States with a population over 500,000. He successfully hired over 300 new officers, reduced vacancy rates to historic lows, and implemented innovative programs such as the nationally recognized SPARC Youth Sports Program.

Cost holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from California State University at Fullerton and a master's degree from Xavier University in Ohio. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy for Police Executives.

Joining Cost as Assistant City Manager in August will be Brent Stoddard, who currently serves as Deputy City Manager for the City of Glendale. Stoddard brings valuable experience in economic development, having been instrumental in overseeing Glendale's business growth and attraction efforts.

As Glendale's Deputy City Manager, Stoddard has led public affairs, including internal and external communications, media relations, and state and federal affairs. He has also overseen staffing efforts for elected officials in various regional and federal organizations, including the League of Arizona Cities and Towns.

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In addition to these new appointments, Marc Heirshberg has been promoted to Assistant City Manager. Heirshberg has served as Deputy City Manager since November 2020 and has over 24 years of public service experience. In his previous role as Mesa's Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities from 2010 to 2020, he managed operations for 203 parks, nine aquatic centers, and major venues such as the Mesa Convention Center. Under his leadership, the department received National Gold Medal Award finalist status and became the first parks and recreation agency worldwide to earn the Certified Autism Center designation.

Heirshberg holds a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership and Public Administration from Regis University and a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Administration from the University of Northern Colorado.

Department assignments for all executive staff will be announced later this summer. The appointments are effective immediately for Heirshberg's promotion, August for Stoddard's new role, and early September for Cost's return to Mesa.

For more information or to schedule interviews with any of these leaders, please contact Mesas Communications Director Ana Pereira at ana.pereira@mesaaz.gov. These changes mark an exciting new chapter for Mesa as the city continues to grow and thrive under the leadership of its dynamic executive team.

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