Editor's note: The Sarasota City Commission voted unanimously Friday afternoon to select Karie Friling as the city’s next permanent city manager, concluding a months-long national search. She will be the first woman to hold the position in the City of Sarasota.

Friling is executive director of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Illinois, leading a countywide agency serving nearly 1 million residents with a $150 million annual budget and more than 500 employees. Commissioners publicly praised both the candidate pool and Friling’s selection before the vote. Commissioner Kyle Battie described her as “a bubbly personality” and “just a good person,” adding, “We look forward to working with her and [her] being the first female city manager.” 

Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch emphasized the rigor of the process, noting that candidates went through “this rigorous process whether it's the staff, the one-on-ones with us up here, and all of those elements played into shaping our final decision.” She said Friling “was the common denominator in all the different groups and all the different processes,” adding that “she was the one that rose to the top.” 

Following the motion, commissioners then voted unanimously to authorize the city attorney to negotiate her employment agreement and bring it back to the commission for formal approval.

In the City of Sarasota, the most powerful person at City Hall is not elected.

The city operates under a commission-manager form of government. Five elected commissioners set policy, pass ordinances and approve the budget. The mayor, chosen by fellow commissioners, presides over meetings and serves as the city’s public representative but does not supervise staff or direct daily operations.

Instead, that authority belongs to the city manager—an appointed executive who oversees departments, prepares the budget, negotiates contracts and implements the commission’s decisions.

That structure has been on display over the past year. Marlon Brown, who was appointed permanent city manager in 2021 after previously serving as deputy city manager, retired in October 2024. While searching for his successor, the City Commission in May 2025 appointed veteran local government administrator Dave Bullock as interim city manager. Bullock, who began the role on May 27, 2025, is being paid an annual salary of $228,000 while the search proceeds.

The permanent position carries broader responsibility. Commissioners have publicly discussed a salary range of approximately $225,000 to $305,000 for the next city manager, reflecting the scope of the role in a municipality managing complex infrastructure, redevelopment pressures and regional coordination demands.

Resumes were reviewed in December 2025, semifinalist interviews were conducted in mid-January and finalist interviews are scheduled for late February.

What began as a six-person finalist slate has narrowed to five. The city announced that Tim Gleason withdrew from consideration after accepting an offer from his current employer to remain in his current city manager position.

The remaining finalists are Troy Anderson, Harry Black, Kemarr Brown, Karie Friling and Chris Rodriguez.

Residents will have an opportunity to meet them at a public open house from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 John Rivers St. There will be five stations set up, with each finalist rotating among them so attendees can speak directly with the candidates about issues, priorities and the future of Sarasota.

Prior to the open house, each candidate will meet individually with city commissioners and engage with city leadership. On Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 11 a.m., the City Commission will conduct formal interviews in the Commission Chambers. A special City Commission meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, when commissioners are expected to choose the next city manager.

The commission’s decision will determine more than a title. In Sarasota’s structure, the city manager directs staff, prepares the budget and carries out every policy vote taken by elected officials. The mayor may hold the gavel. The manager runs the city.

Here's a look at each finalist.

Karie Friling

Friling is executive director of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Illinois, leading a countywide agency serving nearly 1 million residents with a $150 million annual budget and more than 500 employees. Her work has included oversight of capital infrastructure, sustainability initiatives and land stewardship programs. Previously, she served as village manager in Homer Glen, Illinois, and as assistant village manager and development services director in Orland Park. Her background includes stormwater and flood mitigation planning, bond management, downtown redevelopment and public-private partnerships. She is an ICMA-credentialed manager: a designation awarded by the International City/County Management Association to local government executives who adhere to a code of ethics and complete continuing education standards.

Troy Anderson

Anderson serves as assistant city manager for Wichita, Kansas, where he assists in overseeing an all-funds annual budget exceeding $750 million and participates in the development of a 10-year capital improvement plan totaling more than $3 billion. His responsibilities include economic development coordination, capital planning and interdepartmental policy implementation. Previously, he served as deputy chief of staff in the mayor’s office in Omaha, Nebraska, where he worked on major public-private partnerships, redevelopment initiatives and capital planning strategies. Anderson holds a bachelor’s degree in architectural studies and a master’s degree in public administration.

Harry Black

Black most recently served as city manager of Stockton, California, leading a $956 million municipal government serving approximately 322,000 residents with a workforce of more than 1,700 employees. His tenure included oversight of police, fire, utilities and capital programs. He also previously served as city manager of Cincinnati, Ohio, and has held senior financial leadership positions, including chief financial officer in Baltimore. His resume emphasizes large-scale budget management, bond issuance experience, performance management systems, housing development initiatives and economic revitalization efforts.

Kemarr Brown

Brown serves as deputy city manager for the City of Homestead, Florida, where she oversees a municipal budget of approximately $348 million and more than 500 employees. Her portfolio has included infrastructure planning, permitting modernization, economic development initiatives and hurricane preparedness coordination in coastal communities. Earlier roles include assistant city manager and deputy city manager positions in South Florida municipalities, with experience spanning public utilities, development services and grant management.

Chris Rodriguez

Rodriguez serves as assistant city administrator for Washington, D.C., helping oversee nearly 39,000 employees and a $21 billion budget. His portfolio has included operational oversight, technology integration, procurement coordination and intergovernmental relations. He previously led the District’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency and earlier served as director of homeland security and emergency preparedness for the State of New Jersey. He holds a Ph.D. in political science and has experience in crisis management, cybersecurity and executive-level public administration. 

Meet the candidates at a public open house from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23 at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 John Rivers St., Sarasota. To learn more about the finalists and watch recorded interviews with each, click here.