By unanimous vote of the Apex Town Council at their May 25th meeting, Catherine “Katy” Crosby has been selected as the next Town Manager.
The nationwide search for this position was led by consulting firm Developmental Associates. The process kicked off in February 2021 with input from various stakeholders, including focus groups with members of the community, a public input session, and an online survey, to get a sense of what Apex residents valued in the next manager.
Developmental Associates brought three final candidates forward from the applicant pool of 50 after several rounds of screenings, interviews, and an intensive 2-day assessment center where candidates participated in role-plays, presentations, and written exercises designed to assess the skills and knowledge considered critical to the position. Those three candidates participated in interviews with Town Council, and the final candidate, Ms. Crosby, visited Apex to meet individually with Council Members and senior leadership on town staff.
“Ms. Crosby is a proven, inspiring visionary, and compassionate leader who is well prepared to embrace the challenges and opportunities today and ahead for Apex,” said Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert.
Crosby is only the fifth Town Manager to serve in Apex, and the first female and first African American to hold the position in the town’s history. She is touted for commitment to community engagement, and her passion for mentoring up-and-coming talent and for building strong teams.
“I am looking forward to being part of the continued growth of the community,” said Crosby. “I love being outdoors so I am especially excited about the warm weather and the beautiful parks. Most importantly, I am looking forward to getting to know the community. I appreciate the small town feel and the welcoming feeling I received from Apex residents.”
Currently serving as the chief of staff for the City of Toledo, Crosby oversees city operations provided by approximately 2,700 employees, and manages a budget of more than $800M. Her first day on the job in Apex will be July 12th.
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, she holds a BS in accounting from Wilberforce University and a Master of Public Administration from Wright State University. She is a credentialed manager by the International City/County Management Association, and a member of the Ohio Economic Development Association.
“I am looking forward to joining the Apex team,” said Crosby. “I decided to join after meeting with the senior leadership and council. I appreciate the level of respect council members have for one another and their shared priorities.”
Recruitment for the position placed a focus on finding a consensus builder who could partner with staff and the community to carry out the Town’s strategic goals.
Mayor Gilbert noted, “We are fortunate to have Katy move us forward together as a community through our established strategic goals. I’m excited about all we will accomplish together with her leadership as our new Town Manager, and grateful for Developmental Associates for their unwavering commitment to service in identifying a solid leader through their process.”