STURGIS, S.D. – Sturgis Mayor Kevin Forrester has announced plans to appoint Aaron Jordan as the city’s first City Administrator.
In April 2024, Sturgis voters approved a new form of government granting the mayor authority to appoint a City Administrator, subject to approval by the City Council.
The appointment is expected to come at the Thursday, Jan. 9, meeting of the Sturgis City Council.
Ten applicants applied for the position of Sturgis City Administrator. On Dec. 18, the five most qualified candidates selected by the mayor and city councilors participated in preliminary interviews via Zoom.
The interviews were attended by Forrester, Councilor Ruth Kopp, Councilor Jim Thompson, and the mayor’s administrative team members Rick Bush, and Geody Van Dewater.
Forrester said each candidate was asked the same set of questions. Recordings of the five interviews were distributed to all council members for review and consideration. Council members were then asked to identify their top two candidates.
After review, Aaron Jordan was consistently favored among the council members as the preferred candidate.
“One individual emerged as the clear and consistent choice – Aaron Jordan,” Forrester said. Initially, a further round of interviews had been planned; however, the mayor decided an immediate appointment would best meet the city’s needs.
Speaking with KBHB News, Jordan says he’s looking forward to working to make Sturgis better.
Jordan has been actively involved in the Sturgis community through local organizations for 25 years and recently served a three-year term on the Sturgis City Council.
“Beyond being highly qualified, Mr. Jordan is available to begin his duties as City Administrator on January 13, 2025,” Forrester said. “His deep familiarity with the City of Sturgis — its operations, departments, leadership, and overall community — ensures he can make an immediate impact.
Additionally, the city will not incur relocation costs, and Jordan has agreed to accept the position without a long-term contract or severance clause — benefits that would likely be impossible to secure with another candidate, Forrester said.
We asked Jordan about that.
“I am confident that Mr. Jordan’s extensive administrative and leadership experience will enable him to immediately and effectively lead the City of Sturgis’s administrative functions, while continuing the positive momentum this council has built,” Forrester said.
