Tom Hedges

Scott Neal, September 21, 2012 | Posted in Scott Neal

Tom Hedges is just about the best guy you’ll ever meet.  For one thing, he’s an Iowan who made his lot in life in Minnesota.  He got his first job in the city management field at 23 years old.  And, after 36 years as the city administrator in Eagan, he’s hanging it up.  Retirement starts for Tom in February 2013.

Laurie Blake did a nice story about Tom in this morning’s Star Tribune:  “Eagan’s only city administrator to retire“.

Tom and Eagan grew up together.  Eagan has gone through a lot of change during Tom’s tenure.  During his time, Eagan  matured from small town to sophisticated suburb.  I’m sure it wasn’t a direct linear path from one status to the other.  Eagan’s politics haven’t always been easy.  They can mix it up sometimes south-of-the-river.  But Tom was always the calm, cool, collected voice of reason.  You can’t stay in this line of work for 36 years in one town if you’re not all those things – and more.

Here’s to Tom Hedges: a great city leader and even greater guy.  Bravo on a wonderful career!