EAST LANSING, Mich. — At its Jan. 11 special work session, the East Lansing City Council narrowed a field of nine semi-finalists down to six finalists for the East Lansing city manager position.
 
The finalists are as follows (click on names to view full bio): 
 
Jane Bais-DiSessa – Bais-DiSessa has served as the city manager of Berkley, Mich. since August 2001. Prior to that, she was the village administrator of the Village of Franklin, Mich. from September 1998-August 2001. She holds a Master of Science in public institutional administration and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.
 
Darnell Earley – Earley has served as the city manager of Saginaw, Mich. since June 2006 and, prior to that, served as the interim city manager from September 2005-June 2006 and deputy city manager/interim finance director from August 2004-August 2005. Prior to Saginaw, he served as the city administrator of Flint, Mich. from April 2001-July 2004. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Western Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science from Grand Valley State University.
 
George Lahanas – Lahanas has been serving as the interim city manager of East Lansing since October 2011 and, prior to that, served as the deputy city manager of East Lansing from July 2008-October 2011. He has served in various capacities with the City of East Lansing since 2001. Lahanas holds a Master of Public Administration, with a concentration in personnel and labor relations, and a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Northern Michigan University. 
 
Sean McBride – APPLICANT WITHDREW APPLICATION.
 
Brian Murphy – Murphy has served as the village administrator of the Village of Plainfield, Ill. since August 2009 and has served as an adjunct faculty member of the University of Michigan – Dearborn since 2004. Prior to that, he was the city manager in Troy, Mich. from September 2004-August 2009. He holds a Master of Public Administration from the U of M – Dearborn and a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Oakland University.
 
Todd Sneathen – Sneathen has served as the director of East Lansing’s Department of Public Works (DPW) since 2003 and served as the assistant director from 2000-2003. Prior to that, he worked as an engineer in the private sector from 1997-2000 and as a design engineer with the City of East Lansing from 1991-1997. He holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Michigan State University.
 
Finalists to Visit East Lansing in Late January
The city manager finalists will be invited to East Lansing in late January to tour the community, meet community members and participate in interviews. Panels made up of pre-selected City staff members and community members will interview the finalists on the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 25.
 
A community reception, hosted by the City Council, will be held on the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 25, providing community members and interested stakeholders with the opportunity to meet the finalists. This reception will take place from 7-9 p.m. at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road. Finalist introductions will take place at 7:15 p.m. and there will be comment cards available for participants to fill out and submit. This community feedback will be compiled and shared with the City Council.
 
The interviews with City Council will take place on Thursday, Jan. 26; also at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center. These interviews will be open to the public and the interview times will be announced closer to the date.

Additional Information on Candidates

To view bios on each candidate, click on the name to download finalist info.

In addition, a printed copy of is available for review at City Hall (City Clerk office), 410 Abbot Road, the East Lansing Public Library (front desk), 950 Abbot Road, and East Lansing Hannah Community Center (front desk), 819 Abbot Road.