Kirkland Deputy City Manager Marilynne M. Beard is one of six finalists to compete for Bothell’s city manager position. Beard has been a deputy city manager for the City of Kirkland since 2006.

“It was the right opportunity at the right time,” Beard, who lives in Bothell, said. “I’m ready to try something else and work for my own community.”

According to a bio provided by the City of Bothell, she has 34 years of management experience, including 18 years as the City of Kirkland’s finance director. She has a master of science degree in public administration from the University of Oregon and a bachelor of arts degree in education, also from the University of Oregon. She is an ICMA-credentialed manager through the International City/County Management Association.

The other candidates are Arlington City Administrator Paul L. Ellis, Jr., former Burien City Manager Kamuron D. Gurol, St. Helena (Calif.) City Manager Jennifer Phillips, former Springfield (Ore.) Assistant City Manager Jeffrey R. Towery and Bothell Assistant City Manager Peter Troedsson.

The council retained Slavin Management Consultants to lead the search for the new city manager. The firm received 37 responses to its extensive national search. Slavin vetted the applicants’ resumes and recommended 10 semifinalists for the council to consider. The council voted on which six candidates to move forward at its Nov. 1 meeting, but the names were withheld until they were contacted to ensure they were still interested in the position.

Finalists will be invited to meet the public at an open house from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 18 at Bothell City Hall. Interviews will take place Nov. 19 during a special city council meeting from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., also at city hall. The Nov. 19 meeting will begin and end with executive sessions; interviews are open for the public to observe.