City Manager Jonathan Seyferth’s swearing-in ushers in a new era of city leadership

November 28, 2022

MUSKEGON, MI – A standing-room-only crowd in the Muskegon City Commission chambers Monday morning witnessed the swearing-in ceremony of new Muskegon City Manager Jonathan Seyferth.
Seyferth took the oath of office administered by City Clerk Ann Meisch to become the city’s 16th city manager in the last century since the establishment of the city’s 1919 city charter.

“I look forward to working alongside the City Commission and all of the hard-working and dedicated team members who work for the City of Muskegon. Together, we can continue fostering strong, productive, and cooperative relationships with residents, the business community, and other agencies to keep Muskegon moving in a positive direction,” Seyferth told guests that included city commissioners, city employees, state legislators, county officials, neighborhood and community leaders.

Muskegon Mayor Ken Johnson welcomed Seyferth back to the City of Muskegon which his family has called home for five generations. The Seyferth family legacy in Muskegon’s manufacturing sector is immortalized at the city’s Seyferth Park on West Sherman Boulevard, named after Otto Seyferth the city manager’s great, great uncle.

“With Jonathan’s assistance, we will be focused on partnering with our neighbors to advance equity, strengthen the economic vitality of the city, and offer a wonderful quality of life for residents and visitors,” Johnson said.

Seyferth comes to the City of Muskegon as the former township manager of Gaines Charter Township south of Grand Rapids in neighboring Kent County. He also was city manager and deputy city manager in
Coopersville next door in Ottawa County. Before pursuing municipal management, Seyferth worked in the city for Muskegon Area First and was executive director of its Downtown Muskegon Now agency.

Seyferth has a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in international administration from Central Michigan University and a master’s in public administration from the University of Colorado Denver.

Johnson said he and the city commission are impressed with the new city manager’s skill and experience in communications and community engagement. The mayor also honored Deputy City Manager LeighAnn Mikesell for being the interim city manager for the past seven months as a city manager search progressed.

“We are thrilled with the prospect and expectations of what Jonathan and LeighAnn will accomplish as a team,” Johnson said.
For more information on this or other city information contact:

Deborah Santiago-Sweet
[email protected]
231-724-6774