City of Hastings appoints new Assistant City Administrator

HASTINGS, Neb. — The City of Hastings has announced the appointment of Mark Funkey as the new Assistant City Administrator.

According to a news release from the City Of Hastings, the decision comes after a lengthy selection process, and City Administrator Shawn Metcalf expressed confidence in Funkey's ability to contribute to the city's administration.

"The Assistant City Administrator is a very important position for me and for the City," Metcalf stated. "It was imperative to find someone who had the right knowledge, skills, and abilities; someone who exhibited servant leadership, authenticity, transparency, and integrity. Last but not least, we needed a great communicator who could garner the trust of our City Council, department heads, businesses, community partners, staff, and residents. Mark checked all the boxes."

Funkey joins the City of Hastings from Danville Community College in Danville, Virginia, where he served as Vice President of Workforce Services since January 2023.

Prior to this, he held the position of Associate Dean of Instruction for the Grand Island and Hastings campuses at Central Community College from January 2008 to January 2023.

Expressing his gratitude, Funkey said, "I am grateful to be considered and very honored to be selected as the Assistant City Administrator. The process has been wonderful, and I felt so comfortable due to the energy invested by the committee and city staff and administration."

Funkey was the top choice among 38 applicants for the position.

The release says that on Friday, Nov.17, a panel consisting of Metcalf, City Clerk Kim Jacobitz, Hastings City Council Vice President Butch Eley, City of Hastings Human Resources Director Lori Hartman, Director of Energy Production and Supply for Hastings Utilities Derek Zeisler, Executive Director for Hastings Economic Development Corp. and Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce Shannon Landauer, along with community representative Becky Sullivan, conducted interviews with four finalists.

Metcalf noted, "Having worked in human resources for much of my career, I can attest that a fair and equitable hiring process was conducted for this position."

The release says that Funkey is set to take on the responsibility of overseeing multiple city departments in his new role and will start his new position in February.

"I am very excited to get started, and I hope to be able to work with the rest of the city administration team to learn more about the needs of the community and how I can help," Funkey said. "I plan to hit the ground running and to get busy supporting my peers and team to move forward smoothly."

Updates will be posted as they become available.