The Tigard City Council has selected longtime city employee and acting City Manager Brian Rager as the city's next permanent city manager, ending a nine-month stretch of leadership turnover at City Hall.

The council announced its decision Monday after a months-long national recruitment process that included multiple rounds of interviews, community and staff feedback, and final interviews with three candidates.

Rager, who has served the city since 1996, will be formally confirmed by the City Council during its July 7 meeting and will assume the role immediately following the vote.

"Brian Rager has served Tigard for more than three decades, and throughout that time he has earned the trust and respect of many through his dedication, hard work, and deep commitment to this community," Mayor Yi-Kang Hu said iin a statement. "As our next city manager, Brian brings both institutional knowledge and steady leadership at an important time for Tigard."

Rager has held several leadership positions during his tenure, including assistant public works director, public works director and, most recently, acting city manager after stepping into the role March 27.

"Tigard is a wonderful community that I have been proud to serve over the last 30 years of my career," Rager said. "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the city team as we embark on an effort to clarify and prioritize our programs and services and set the right level of service of each. I intend for the community to play a role in this work."

Rager emerged from a field of three finalists that also included Ashland City Manager Sabrina Cotta and Corey Falls, a former Gresham deputy city manager who now leads 21st Century Management Solutions LLC.

The appointment concludes a period of instability in Tigard's top administrative position. Former City Manager Brent Stockwell resigned in November 2025 after serving about five and a half months. Deputy City Manager Emily Tritsch then served as acting city manager before taking a leave of absence in March. Rager assumed the acting city manager role after Tritsch's departure and has led the city since.

The recruitment process, conducted with assistance from Prothman Consulting, included staff meet-and-greets, public input opportunities and multiple interview panels before the council made its final selection.

As city manager, Rager will oversee Tigard's day-to-day operations, implement City Council priorities and work with staff and community partners on city services and long-term planning.