After an executive session and following a vote by members of Bridgeport City Council, the next individual to serve as city manager is Patrick B. Ford.

Although Council had been mum about the hiring, Ford has already met with city staff. That took place last week during a luncheon held at the Benedum Civic Center.

Ford most recently resided in Buffalo before his move back to Bridgeport, where he has lived before. He held the position of director of external affairs and business development at Frontier Group of Companies in the Buffalo area. The business specializes in developing industrial sites, including many old sites, for new business opportunities.

Unlike previous city managers, Ford has direct ties to the city. He is married to the former Alecia Sirk, a Bridgeport native and a Bridgeport High School graduate. Ford is also the author of Bridgeport’s original comprehensive plan that city officials extensively use and update as its guidance tool for development.

His background is diverse and deep. He worked in the city in the late 1990s as the planning director and as an associate running the Bridgeport branch of the massive Baltimore-based engineering firm Whitney, Bailey, Cox & Magnani (WBCM).

“There’s no one job that can qualify you for a job like what is here at the City of Bridgeport. It is a body of work that is ongoing in excellence and I’m fortunate to hit it while it is in its stride,” said Ford. “I’m so excited about taking on this role. I’m familiar with the Bridgeport playbook, and excited that this Council has selected me to quarterback this team.”

Ford has experience as a city manager. Although it was listed as “town manager,” Ford served in that capacity in Wardensville in West Virginia. During his time with WBCM, he also authored the original Harrison County comprehensive plan, created revitalization plans for communities in Charleston along with work in towns and counties throughout West Virginia and, particularly, in North Central West Virginia. He also worked at prominent levels for the City of Pittsburgh.

The native of Kansas also played collegiate football. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia where he has an undergraduate and master’s degree in city planning.

“He’s the guy for the job,” said Lang enthusiastically on the five-year contract Ford has signed.

The move ends the position that has been officially vacant since the resignation of former City Manager Brian Newton on July 31, 2023. Since August 2 of 2023, Police Chief Mark Rogers has been filling the position in an interim capacity.

Parks and Recreation Director Joe Shuttleworth sang the praises of Rogers stepping into the interim spot and taking on a tough task. Shuttleworth’s comments were echoed by many members of Council, including Lang.

An official swearing-in ceremony is tentatively planned for Thursday, Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. More on that, as well as more from this meeting, in the days ahead on Connect-Bridgeport.