Dunwoody hires city manager

Warren Hutmacher, who has worked for a nearly decade in metro Atlanta governments, was hired Monday to be Dunwoody’s first city manager.

The city council approved Mayor Ken Wright’s recommendation by choosing Hutmacher over Steve Rapson to handle daily operations in Georgia’s newest city. Rapson is assistant city manager in Sandy Springs.

“He is very experienced, yet he is open to new things,” Wright said of Hutmacher. “I’m very excited at what he will help us get done.”

Hutmacher has been known for smart growth and economic development in his past administrative roles. Dunwoody residents cited both areas as concerns in discussions about becoming a city.

Hutmacher has been city manager in Norcross since 2006, and served as city manager in Avondale Estates for three years before that. He will be paid $145,000 a year in his new job.

Before being hired to jump-start development in Avondale, he served four years as assistant to the city manager in Marietta, where he was charged with helping revitalize its downtown.

Hutmacher resigned Monday night in Norcross at the city council meeting and was lauded for his service.

Hutmacher is expected to begin work in Dunwoody in mid- to late November. Dunwoody officially begins operation as a city on Dec. 1.