(Sedgwick County, Kan.) – The Board of County Commissioners voted today to appoint Tom Stolz as the permanent Sedgwick County Manager pending negotiation of a contract. Stolz was named Interim County Manager in December after serving as Deputy Manager since May of 2017. He was promoted to Deputy Manager after serving as Assistant County Manager of Public Safety, Code Enforcement and Emergency Management since August 2016.
"Sedgwick County is fortunate that we have such a qualified internal candidate who has the right leadership, vision and commitment to our community" said Chairman David Dennis. "It became clear in the discussion that Tom Stolz has earned the respect and support of the Commissioners. It was also clear from community and staff input over the past weeks and as a top candidate during the search process three years ago, that Tom has also earned the respect and support of County staff, County partners and those who have worked with him over his lifetime of public service to make our community. Commissioners cited his proven track record of leadership, respect for people and process, his ability to bring solutions and the belief that Tom will provide the needed leadership and stability for the County at this important time."
Before joining Sedgwick County, Stolz was named the first Director of the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD), a joint department between the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County. In that position he led the joint department’s consolidation efforts reporting to both City of Wichita and Sedgwick County. Stolz was named to the position after retiring from the Wichita Police Department in 2012 after a 31-year career culminating as Deputy Police Chief.
He has a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Newman University, a Master’s in Administration of Justice from Wichita State University, and a Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Certificate from Boston University.