Greenville City Manager to step down

Mayor Knox White announced this morning that John Castile has decided to step down as City Manager for the City of Greenville, a position he has held since June 2010. No departure date has been identified at this time, and Castile will work with City Council to develop a transition plan for the coming months.

Castile has spent most of his 23-year tenure as a key player in the organization and has played a significant role in the City’s achievements. While originally coming to work for the City’s Recreation Division, Castile was soon recruited to the City Manager’s Office, first as Assistant to the City Manager, a position that was created by former City Manager Steve Thompson to provide problem-solving across the entire organization and to manage city-wide projects versus individual department-driven projects; then as Assistant City Manager to provide stability to the City’s executive office during transitions between appointed and elected positions; and then as Deputy City Manager, where he was given oversight of all City departments and became directly involved in making policy recommendations to City Council, interpreting and applying policies established by City Council and developing and implementing administrative policies for the City.

According to Mayor White, Castile has provided the organization with invaluable leadership continuity over the past two decades and has shepherded the City through many critical phases of its growth and development. Additionally, with his extensive experience in and gift for relationship-building, he has also demonstrated a unique ability to work successfully with elected officials, community partners and City staff to fulfill the City’s goals and objectives.

“John is an extraordinarily talented leader and a joy to work with. He brings out the best in everyone, making the City so effective from top to bottom,” said Mayor White. “Everyone on City Council has the highest regard for his integrity and ability, and understand that his desire to step away from this very demanding 24/7 role is his personal decision. We all wish him the best.”

Castile explained that his decision to step down was a difficult one, and while there is no good time to leave an organization, he says he is better able to move on to the next phase of his life and career knowing that he is leaving the City in a solid financial position.

“The secret to Greenville’s success is the strong leadership of our elected officials and our commitment – across all departments and at every level of our organization – to making this the best city it can be, for all of our citizens,” said Castile. “While I’ll no longer be at the helm, I can assure our residents and business owners that we have a dedicated leadership team and workforce who will continue to move our city forward.”