Economic developer from Ohio selected as new Ypsilanti city manager
The Ypsilanti City Council selected Ralph Lange, the former head of the Monroe County Road Commission and current executive director of the Henry County (Ohio) Improvement Corporation, as the next city manager.
Ralph Lange
via Henry County website
Lange earned his master’s degree in public policy from Purdue University. He served as Albion's city manager and city administrator/director of public safety for Oregoen, Ohio, for a total of 10 years. After that he served as managing director of the Monroe County Road Commission 10 years before joining the Henry County Improvement Corporation in 2008.
Lange said he helped improve the relationship between Albion University and the City of Albion, and also served as chairman of its housing authority. He oversaw 300 employees and a budget of up to $35 million in Oregon and highlighted his economic development efforts in the city, which he said helped secure nearly $500 million in investment from local oil refineries and a power plant.
Lange also oversaw a staff of 120 and a budget of up to $30 million at the MCRC, and he said the MCRC never lost an arbitration case while he was there. As director of Henry County Improvement Corporation, Lange said he was involved in numerous projects with a wide range of businesses to help secure investment and create new jobs in the county.
Former City Manager Ed Koryzno left the city in January. City Clerk and interim-city manager Frances McMullan was among the three finalists, but she withdrew her name unexpectedly on May 10.
Comments
Ypsidoodle
Thu, May 17, 2012 : 7:57 p.m.
As long as he's willing to solicit and accept ideas from the citizens of Ypsilanti (not just the council) then I'll support him... first thing should be series of town hall, get to know ya type meetings. He will be for all intents and purposes be the CEO of Ypsilanti with the council as the board and residents as the shareholders... and I want value for my investment!
motorcycleminer
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 9:08 p.m.
Wish him the best unraveling that bag of worms.....
Epengar
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 9 p.m.
There is no town of "Oregoen" in Ohio. I imagine that should be Oregon Ohio, whose population is about the same as Ypsilanti's.
ahi
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 9:58 p.m.
Henry County has a population of 28k so also roughly comparable to Ypsi. Though very different demographics and geography.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 7:42 p.m.
Considering the city's budget problems, he is certainly going into a challenging job. I hope he is up to the task. I wouldn't be. :)
YpsilantiLoyalOne
Fri, May 18, 2012 : 7:13 p.m.
city council is defininately a challenge!
Ypsidoodle
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 6:53 p.m.
I hope the council proposes, and he agrees to SMART objectives...
YpsiVeteran
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 6:28 p.m.
YpsilantiLoyalOne, I agree. Welcome Mr. Lange. The article doesn't say when he starts.
Ypsidoodle
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 6:34 p.m.
Still have to negotiate a contract with him...
YpsilantiLoyalOne
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 6:10 p.m.
Glad to see someone with economic development experience. Ypsilanti really needs focus and guidance in that area.
Ypsidoodle
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 5:41 p.m.
This will be interesting... and I'm sure the package will need to be nice as he knows what he's getting himself into.
Ignatz
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 5:05 p.m.
This should be an interesting experience for Mr. Lange. He comes from a place with twice the population of Ypsilanti, though a much more rural one. I wish him the best of luck. He's going to need it.