The Pevely Board of Aldermen has filled two top jobs, hiring Andy Hixson as the new city administrator and Mark Glenn as the police chief.
Hixson, who was the Crystal City administrator from 2009 to 2012, will fill the vacancy left when Nathan Schauf resigned from the job suddenly on June 30.
Glenn, who years ago worked for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, will replace Alan Eickhoff, who resigned suddenly last month.
Hixson, 39, of Chesterfield is scheduled to begin work Nov. 15 and will be paid a $105,000 annual salary. Schauf was being paid $76,000 a year, according to city documents.
Glenn, 55, lives in Pevely and his first day as the city’s police chief is set for Nov. 29. He will be paid $110,000 a year. Eickhoff was being paid an $80,000 annual salary, according to city records.
Pevely received nine applications for each position, City Clerk Ashton Lowery said.
The Board of Aldermen voted 7-0 Monday to hire both Hixson and Glenn. Ward 4 Alderman William Brooks was absent from the meeting.
Mayor Stephanie Haas said the fact that both men have ties to the county was a plus.
“Their experience set them apart,” Haas said. “Also, their knowledge of Jefferson County and their histories. They’ve both worked in Jefferson County and (Glenn) is a resident of Jefferson County.
“I am very excited to work with both of them. I think it’s a great opportunity for our city and community to bring in people for both top positions at the same time and create a team effort in pulling the city forward.”
Since Schauf’s resignation, longtime city employee Wade Amsden, the Pevely Sewage Department supervisor, has served as interim city administrator.
The Pevely Police Department has been led by Capt. Larry Miller and Lt. Greg Long since Eickhoff left in early September.
Hixson
After Hixson left Crystal City, he was city manager of the city of Manchester. In 2017, he became assistant city manager of Ballwin, and in 2019, he went into personal finance.
“I loved working down here,” Hixson said of his time in Crystal City. “There are good people. There’s tremendous opportunity for growth in Pevely.”
He said the idea of returning to municipal work appealed to him.
“I enjoy helping people,” he said. “As city administrator, you can help an entire community.”
He and his wife, Dana, have two children – Max, 8, and James, 6.
Hixson said he doesn’t plan to move to Jefferson County right away.
“I’m going to commute, at first,” he said. “The reason why is my kid in kindergarten has special needs. I don’t want to move him after he just started school.”
Hixson said public service is part of his family legacy.
“I’m a second generation city manager,” he said. “My dad, Kent Hixson, is the longest-serving city manager in the state of Kansas. He’s the city manager in Mulvane, Kan., (since 1994). It’s straight south of Wichita.”
Hixson said his wife’s family also has ties to Jefferson County.
“My wife’s family is from this area,” Hixson said. “She’s from Festus. Her mother is Joann Abrams Kenny. She lives in South County, but still has family here.”
Glenn
Glenn has worked for the Washington University (St. Louis ) Police Department for 21 years, serving as its police chief since 2016.
“I’ve been in law enforcement more than 30 years,” he said. “I started with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. After that, I went to Chesterfield for a few years before going to Washington University.”
“I’m looking forward to working with the community, being active in the community and working with a great group of officers here,” Glenn said. “I’ve been a lifelong resident of Jefferson County.”
He and his wife, Tammy, have lived in Pevely for four years. They have three daughters.