Scranton Business Administrator Ryan McGowan will be leaving his job with the city on May 29 for a new job in the banking industry, Mayor Chris Doherty said Monday.
With Mr. Doherty not seeking re-election and his term ending Dec. 31, Mr. McGowan is the first member of the outgoing mayor's department heads to leave the fold. Department heads are at-will mayoral appointees, typically replaced by new mayors.
Mr. McGowan accepted a job with M&T Bank in Wilkes-Barre, he and the mayor said.
Business administrator since January 2011, Mr. McGowan was a key figure in City Hall during the city's financial crisis and revision of its Act 47 recovery plan that consumed much of last year, the mayor said.
"He's been tested and passed the test. He's done a great job," Mr. Doherty said.
Mr. McGowan said, "The last few years have been difficult, and we've worked hard to do what needed to be done. I've appreciated the opportunity the mayor has provided and look forward to the next step moving forward. It's a really good opportunity for me, and it's just time" to leave.
Mr. McGowan started with the city in 2003 as a project manager in the Office of Economic and Community Development. He then was deputy director of the Parks Department from January 2004 to November 2006.
He left the city's roster and worked for a nonprofit organization from December 2006 to July 2008. In a return to City Hall in July 2008, Mr. McGowan became city treasurer and held that post until June 2010.
He then shifted back to OECD, where he served as finance and compliance director from June 2010 to January 2011, before becoming business administrator. He earns an annual salary of $53,550.
The city's human resources director, Gina McAndrew, will become acting business administrator. The mayor's secretary, Stephanie Walker, who has human resources experience, will serve as acting human resources director. The mayor said he will not replace his secretary.
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