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Little Elm hires new town manager
Submitted photo - Matt Mueller will begin his position as town manager with Little Elm in September.
By Emily Hill, ehill@starlocalnews.com
The Town of Little Elm has selected Matt Mueller as the new town manager. Mueller, who has served as the city manager of Guthrie, Okla., will begin his service with Little Elm on Sept. 17 after he completes his current city's budget.
"I look forward to having someone new in the town manager's office," Little Elm Interim Town Manager Doug Peach said. "[Mueller] seems very dynamic and enthusiastic. I believe he will bring a lot of fresh ideals to the community."
Peach described Mueller as very personable who will "only go to improve our current level of customer service." When Mueller arrives, the town will introduce him to Little Elm ISD administration and principals and city officials in neighboring cities and within Denton County.
Little Elm has been without a town manager for the last seven months. Peach, who served as the assistant town manager before the town manager's resignation, has stepped up during that time to act as interim until the town could find a new one through a search firm.
"In just my opinion, [Mueller] was definitely the most energetic [candidate]," Little Elm Mayor David Hillock said. "He had a background most similar to what we're looking for in Little Elm."
Mueller will be coming from Guthrie, a city that also has a lake and similar challenges that Little Elm has, Hillock said. The town's emphasis has been on making customer service a priority and improving it.
"[Mueller] just has the type of personality that could lend itself to providing that in the town," Hillock said.
Mueller has also served as deputy city manager for Claremore, Okla., and the management analyst for Edmond, Okla. He currently serves as a board member for the City Management Association of Oklahoma.
"To get the town manager in there definitely provides more stability to the town government, and it gives everyone a breath of relief because that's not up in the air [anymore]," Hillock said. "Peach has done a fantastic job [as interim town manager]."
Mueller received his bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Central Oklahoma. While there, he was the president of the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society and was awarded the political science department's student leadership award. He received his Master of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma.
Some of Mueller's major accomplishments have included completing a new water treatment plant in Guthrie that will serve the city for the next 40-50 years. He has also aided in providing for infrastructure needs and long-term financial needs.
Mueller discovered Little Elm's search for a new town manager through the town's search firm's website and through his fellow colleague, the city manager in The Colony. Mueller said he has networked with several city managers in the area, describing the Dallas Metroplex as having "really innovative governments."
"I've had my eye on trying to get to the Dallas Metroplex ever since I got into the career," Mueller said. "I've gotten an opportunity to meet most of the executive level of staff. I'm really looking forward to being a part of the team."
Mueller described the town council as a pro-growth group that has a great vision for the community. Little Elm's growth is very intriguing and comes with both a tremendous amount of opportunities and challenges, he continued.
"I really hope to bring fresh ideas, a spirit of innovation and high level of transparency," Mueller said.
When he arrives in September, Mueller plans to learn and absorb the first couple of months to really get a feel for Little Elm. He expects local government to be as efficient and productive as possible.
Mueller has been married to his wife Rachel for almost 10 years. They are expecting their first child early next year.
"I've spent my entire life in Oklahoma, but my first child [will be] born a Texan," Mueller said. "[My child] is still going to have to learn to love [Oklahoma University]."
The Town of Little Elm will host a public meet and greet when Mueller arrives to introduce him to the community. The date is to be determined.
"I think it will be a great fit," Mueller said. "I'm honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to come down and serve the community. Little Elm is an awesome place. It has so much potential, it's a lovely town and I can't wait to get started."
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