Following a nationwide search, the Biddeford City Council is expected next week to confirm the hiring of Truc Dever as the city’s next professional manager.

Dever currently serves as the public works director for the city of Kirkland, Wash., a city with a population of roughly 93,000 people located about eight miles east of Seattle.

Dever’s hiring caps several months of controversy that surrounded former city manager James Bennett who was ousted from office in February after announcing his planned resignation in October last year.

According to Mayor Marty Grohman, Dever will begin her new job in Biddeford in August. Details about her contract will not be available until her hiring is confirmed by the city council next week.

“Truc distinguished herself as the top candidate for the position for several reasons,” said Mayor Martin Grohman. “She brings over two decades of public sector leadership across a range of city operations, as well as experience in human
resources and public health. The members of the city council and I are excited to welcome her to Biddeford.”

In her previous position as public work director in Kirkland, Dever oversaw a staff of more than “170 employees across multiple divisions, including utilities, transportation and capital projects,” according to the city’s website.

Dever held various leadership roles before becoming Kirkland’s public works director, including serving as human resources director in Kirkland; general manager at Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District, and director of community affairs within the same agency, where she managed public health communication initiatives.

She also has experience as a small business owner and working in public relations and media roles. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications and political science from UCLA and a master’s degree in public administration from California State University, Fullerton.

“I am honored to be considered for this position as Biddeford’s next city manager,” said Dever. “I look forward to working alongside city leaders and community members to continue building a future focused on opportunity, sustainability and resiliency.”

Dever will become the city of Biddeford’s fifth city manager, taking over the helm from acting City Manager Brian Phinney. Previous city managers include Bennett, John Bubier, Edward Clifford and Bruce Benway.

According to the Kirkland city website, as the city’s human resources director, Dever “helped negotiate six collective bargaining agreements with the city’s labor unions; spearheaded the effort to provide affordable, accessible, and quality childcare benefits to Kirkland employees.

Grohman said Dever was selected from a pool of 34 applicants in a nationwide search for candidates.

Dever will begin her tenure Monday, August 11. Brian Phinney, the city’s chief operating officer, will continue to serve as
acting city manager until Dever’s contract begins.

Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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