RITA COOK / News Editor

    WILMER – These days successful people have learned they have to wear more than one hat.

    Wilmer’s new Interim City Administrator Dr. John Hubbard, Ph.D. wears a few hats, so when he is not sitting behind his desk at Wilmer City Hall he is a professor at UNT Dallas in the school of business.

    Previously, he was an executive director for the Stephenville Economic Development Authority.

    In a line of city administrators that have come and gone over the past few years, recently council decided to go in a different direction and did not continue the last city administrator’s contract after the first 90 days.

    Hubbard is in the interim situation and said he supports whatever council decides to do.

    “I am not sure what Council’s plans are for the position,” he said. “The assistant city administrator, Missie Schwab, is well capable of running the city in my absence.”

    Hubbard said he was excited about the activity happening in Wilmer and would love to be part of it.

    “Having worked in the area before, I feel Wilmer is an excellent fit to build on what is already growing in Wilmer now,” he added. “I absolutely feel at home here.”

    His bio describes him as an experienced scholar practitioner with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry and higher education, which could come in handy as the city continues to grow.

    “Without a doubt, Amazon expanding its distribution center and DISD committing to start constructing an elementary school here this year, have been big,” Hubbard said. “As far as the staff goes, we are working together better as a team.”

    Of course, all cities have challenges and Wilmer is no different.

    Hubbard said, “There are many challenges for sure. The biggest one is making sure our residents get the services they desire and deserve in a timely and efficient manner. We [each employee] need to remember that they are the ones who ultimately sign our paychecks.”

    While he is with the city, he would like to work out a service plan for the next year and five years.

    “The City needs to address its infrastructure - water, sewer, streets - a service plan would be a big first step to get this done,” he added.

    Hubbard has also been the city manager in Cockrell Hill for three years, assistant town manager of Fairview for three years, and the city administrator in Lucas for three years.

    “I hope we can build some positivity among the citizens as we work to improve life in Wilmer for everyone,” Hubbard concluded.