After a nationwide search, the City of Watertown is pleased to announce the appointment of Alan Stager as the new City Manager. Stager will begin his role on June 24, 2025.
Stager brings more than two decades of executive leadership to the role, most recently serving as General Manager of Dakota Bodies. Prior to that, he spent 19 years at Terex Corporation in multiple leadership roles, including finance, strategic planning, IT, supply chain, and business development.
"Alan is exactly what we were looking for in our next City Manager," said Mayor Ried Holien. "We wanted a candidate with a proven track record of managing large organizations and the ability to lead a large team working toward a common goal. Alan has successfully managed thousands of employees and implemented billion-dollar budgets. He is the perfect choice because he possesses private sector expertise combined with the heart of a public servant."
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Stager was recruited to Watertown by Terex in 2002. Stager and his wife, Kerry, along with their three daughters, are devoted citizens of Watertown. His passion for the community is evident through such things as serving as Vice Chairman of the Watertown Development Company, participating on the H2O-20 Strategy Implementation Committee, and holding a leadership role on the church council at the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer. He will use decades of leadership experience and his passion for continuous improvement to help shape Watertown’s future.
“I am honored to serve as the next City Manager for the City of Watertown,” said Stager. “My family chose Watertown as our home over 20 years ago, and we’ve never looked back. This isn’t a stepping stone for me—it’s a capstone. I’m here to invest fully in the people, progress, and potential of this community.”
Mayor Holien also expressed gratitude to those who dedicated their time and insight during the selection process. “Thank you to our residents for your patience and support. I especially want to recognize our City staff and the Succession Planning Committee. That committee thoughtfully sifted through 250 applications and helped us identify the finalists best suited for Watertown.”
As City Manager, Stager will serve as the chief administrative officer for the City of Watertown, overseeing daily operations, managing all city departments, preparing the annual budget, and advising the City Council on all city affairs.