Double Bobcat alumnus puts his degrees to work as city administrator for Hoover, Alabama

By Margaret Schell

H oover is a rapidly growing city in central Alabama with nearly 100,000 residents who depend on exceptional municipal services from Double Bobcat Brian Muenger ('06, '08). In December, Muenger became city administrator of Hoover; he transitioned from city manager at Pell City, Alabama, where he served a decade.

Muenger manages complex, high-level projects in cooperation with different partners to make progress happen.

"I'm in a highly variable position," he said. "We must be responsive to change to stay relevant and figure out how to function in ways that work well for everyone."

The Double Bobcat Advantage

Muenger's Double Bobcat pathway included earning his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, then his Master of Public Administration degree. There's significant overlap with Muenger's undergraduate studies and his role as city administrator.

"Criminal justice theories are highly analytical, and so are a city's functions," he said. "I often cultivate relationships with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners. Having a working knowledge of this field proved helpful to me."

As a student, Muenger was impressed with Clif Wilkinson, senior lecture of political science and public administration at Georgia College & State University.

"I spent a great deal of time with him, especially when I was earning my MPA," Muenger said. "He assured me I was on the right track because I could apply the skillset I was developing toward a fulfilling career."

"I knew the professors on a deep level," he said. "They understood the right pathway to a career that would suit me based on my interest."

Muenger still contacts his professors and fellow alumni from the MPA program.

"The professors don't just lecture and leave you," he said. "They're there to develop you as a person. That's meaningful and a huge credit to what Georgia College offers prospective students."

Public Administration

Most of Muenger's interactions involve requests for more amenities. Whether it's developing a new soccer field, amphitheater or green space; he makes sure to provide a quality project.

Muenger's latest project is renovating the iconic Riverchase Galleria - a shopping mall built in the '80s. Muenger recently traveled to Chicago to meet with the property owners and present his redevelopment vision in a bid for them to reinvest in the property in Hoover.

"We're reimagining that campus," he said. "It's a big deal for Hoover and visitors. It's even part of our city's logo."

Hoover is also host to the National Computer Forensics Institute - where around 5,000 law enforcement agents train on cyber investigative techniques including forensics and investigative practices. Muenger is working on a $25 million expansion project that'll increase the number of trainees to 9,000.

He's also working with the Alabama Department of Transportation to construct a diverging diamond intersection to alleviate traffic at exits located off two U.S. Interstates in the city.

"Hoover's population has ballooned because of its exceptional services," Muenger said. "When people consider moving, they want a safe and economically prosperous community with great schools."

City management has a culture of supporting each other. Muenger works closely with emergency services and police departments and carries out the policies and vision of city council and the mayor while offering advice. He often advises officials statewide regarding challenges they face in their cities.

"The best part of working in local government is that you can change the trajectory of a city," he said. "In Pell City, I redeveloped large properties and brought more retail and industry that will impact residents for decades to come."

Whether it's working with policy issues, residents or professionals, Muenger's role requires critical thinking skills learned from Georgia College.

"I build consensus for difficult problems, explore all options, develop a responsible recommendation and articulate the reasons that facilitate a robust discussion," he said. "That's what gets people aligned. It's essential to success."

Header Images: Brian Muenger inspects a drainage improvement project with City Engineer Scott Promer in Hoover's central business district. Muenger refers to aerial visuals that provide an overview of ongoing capital improvement projects taking place in Hoover. (Photos courtesy of Brian Muenger)