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Gallup General Services Director Rick Snider off to Illinois

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Snider going to home of alma mater as County Administrator

Rick Snider, general services director at the city of Gallup, will resign the post April 8. Snider leaves next week for a job as County Administrator in Champaign, IL, one of the state’s largest municipalities with a population of around 210,000.

“This is a dream job for me, leading one of the largest counties in the state,” Snider told the Gallup Sun April 5. “It is home to my alma mater, the University of Illinois. Champaign County also feeds the world as a top exporter of corn and soybeans.”

Snider, hired by former city manager Dan Dible, worked for the city for five years. His duties included overseeing responsibilities at the El Morro Theatre and the Downtown Events Center, facilities management, geographic information systems, information technology, the city’s two senior centers, community service and the vehicle service center. He’s also been a major player with the city’s detox center and behavioral health matters.

What have been Snider’s most memorable moments over the years? “The (City Council’s) adoption of a formal identity system and a city flag were very memorable for me,” Snider said. “We now have a logo that is representative of the city’s heritage and one that provides a singular identity for our operations.”

Mayor Jackie McKinney said for a few months Snider’s duties would be divided up between various city employees. He said a decision about hiring a general services lead replacement rests with City Manager Mary Ann Ustick. Ustick did not return telephone calls April 5 seeking comment.

Snider, who is originally from Chicago, received his master degree in public administration from the University of New Mexico in December. Interestingly, he started the Rocky Ridge Goat Dairy in 2001 which produces cheese, soap and various personal products. “We discontinued the cheese, but we have been able to acquire local sources of goat milk to manufacture soap. We sell it at milkbarsoap.com.”

Snider said that the county government in Champaign is made up of approximately 900 full-time employees and a $115 million annual budget, “so it will be a bit of a jump from Gallup,” he said.

By Bernie Dotson
Sun Correspondent

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