City of Talent Welcomes Gary Milliman as Permanent City Manager

Talent, Oregon- The City of Talent announced the appointment of Gary Milliman as its permanent City Manager, effective January 2, 2024. Milliman brings with him 40 years of experience in local government management and public affairs, having served as a permanent City Manager in four cities ranging from 2,800 to 105,000 in population.

Previously, Milliman served as City Manager Pro Tem in Ashland in 2021 and retired after 11 years as Brookings City Manager. Post-retirement, he held various roles in local government, including Senior Advisor with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Senior Fellow with the Center for Public Service at Portland State University, City Councilor, and Municipal Court Judge in seven rural Oregon cities.

His career is marked by accolades, including the 2012 ICMA Award for Career Excellence and the 2019 League of Oregon Cities Herman Kehrli Award for “exceptional contributions to city government.” Milliman, an ICMA Credentialed City Manager and Life Member, has demonstrated continued commitment to public service.

At the recent City Council meeting on January 3, 2024, Mayor Darby Ayers-Flood commended Milliman, stating that the 20 reference check responses received were “a great showing of support for your lifetime work and confidence in your work with us here in Talent.”

Beyond local government, Milliman’s diverse professional background includes managing a railroad, serving as a disaster management reservist with FEMA for 18 years, working as an executive recruiter and economic development consultant, and serving as the editor of a community newspaper.

Milliman holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California, a bachelor’s degree in journalism from California State College at Los Angeles, and completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard University.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Milliman said, “I am pleased to resume my full-time public service in Talent. From what I have learned so far, this is a very engaged community, with leadership committed to creating and sustaining a high quality of life. I hope that I can make a meaningful contribution to that effort.”

A native of Los Angeles, Milliman and his wife currently reside in Medford.