CITY MANAGER
Tom Hadden

Thomas Hadden was appointed to serve as City Manager for West Des Moines in May of 2014.

During his tenure, he commissioned the WDM 2036 Plan that updated the City’s mission, vision and guiding principles, and called for an action plan to implement key strategic initiatives such as the building of a citywide conduit network. The plan also resulted in the creation of the Five Waters Project that includes the Jamie Hurd Amphitheater, the Raccoon River Park Boathouse, the Athene Pedestrian Bridge and Great Western Trail Connection, the Marathon Loop Trail and the Raccoon River Greenway. Staff currently is working with stakeholders to create a WDM 2040 plan to ensure the City is anticipating and planning for West Des Moines’ future.

In response to the high demand for youth sports, he also oversaw the development of the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, a public/private partnership that created a 150,000 square foot turf and hardcourt fieldhouse, two indoor ice arenas, 20,000 square feet of exhibit space and 30,000 square feet of meeting, classroom and programming space. Plans are currently underway to add additional parking and a third sheet of ice to this extremely successful facility.

Prior to joining the City of West Des Moines, Hadden served as the Executive Director of Metro Waste Authority from 1996 to 2014. Under his leadership, Metro Waste provided environmentally sound and cost- effective services for 16 cities and Polk County. Hadden worked to advance solid waste management by developing and implementing the Environmental Management Systems across the Des Moines Metropolitan Area and the state of Iowa.

While promoting regional cooperation and a workplace culture of innovation, the Metro Waste Authority received many accolades during Hadden’s tenure including the “Top Workplace” award by the Des Moines Register and the “Outstanding Business Integrity” award from the Greater Des Moines Better Business Bureau.

Prior to working with Metro Waste Authority, Hadden served as the City Administrator for the City of Altoona and worked at the Department of Natural Resources, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Biology from Iowa State University
Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from Iowa State University
Master of Business Administration from University of Iowa

ASSOCIATIONS
Des Moines Area Reclamation Authority (WRA) - Current Board Member and Past Chair
Solid Waste Alternative Planning Committee
Southeast Polk School Board - Two years as Chair
Watershed Planning Advisory Committee
Governor’s Water Quality Task Force - Co-Chair
Iowa Environmental Council - Past Chair
Trees Forever - Board Member
MPO Policy Committee
DART - Alternate Board Member
International City/County Management Association (ICMA) - Sustainable Communities Committee

DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
Jamie Letzring

Jamie Letzring was selected to serve as Deputy City Manager in March 2016.

Prior to joining the City of West Des Moines, she served for three years as City Administrator for Oelwein, Iowa.

In this position, she assisted with several reconstruction projects utilizing a variety of state funding resources. She also worked on major economic development projects which brought new jobs to the region.

Letzring also served for four years as City Administrator and Economic Development Director in Sherburn, Minnesota.

EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Simpson College
Master of Public Administration from Drake University

ASSOCIATIONS
International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
Iowa City/County Management Association