Lee Knottnerus has served as the deputy city manager and HR/administrative department director since September 2012

RIDGEFIELD – Ridgefield Deputy City Manager Lee Knottnerus has announced that she will retire from the city of Ridgefield effective Sept. 15.

Knottnerus has served as the deputy city manager and HR/administrative department director since September 2012.

“While much of her incredibly impactful work has been behind the scenes, including successfully negotiating 14 collective bargaining agreements with city employees and creating strategic business plans, her work has been felt well beyond City Hall,’’ read a news release from the city of Ridgefield. “She helped found and form the Ridgefield Main Street Program (sitting on the Board of Directors from 2014 to 2024), substantially improved city communications, spearheaded a community dragon boat program, helped create and manage beloved city events including First Saturdays, Big Paddle, and Multicultural

Festival, and supported our downtown business merchants and community organizations.’’

“Under Lee’s leadership and care, the city’s population and organization have grown and thrived. While most of her amazing work is behind the scenes, the positive impacts she’s created are felt throughout our community,” said City Manager Steve Stuart.

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve this incredible community. The passion, collaboration and kindness inspire me every day.” said Knottnerus. “It is the people in this special city whom I will treasure the most – the colleagues who have become friends, community members who became partners, and the shared moments that continually remind me why this work matters. While I am retiring my role, my heart remains here, and I look forward to contributing and staying connected in new ways.”

An active community member who has raised two RHS graduates, Knottnerus will continue kayaking on Lake River, walking in the Wildlife Refuge and exploring what comes next.

The city launched a recruitment for a deputy city manager to succeed Knottnerus Friday and will interview candidates the first two weeks of October. For more information, visit WWW.GMPHR.COM.

Information provided by the city of Ridgefield.