The City of Emporia now has its new City Manager.
Wednesday evening, Emporia City Commissioners approved an employment agreement with current League of Kansas Municipalities Deputy Director Trey Cocking. Cocking has served as the Deputy Director of the league for the past four years.
Prior to his time with the league, Cocking served eight years as the City Manager of Atchison. He believes his time in Atchison helped him stand out amongst other candidates.
Emporia Mayor Rob Gilligan says the city had specific criteria they were looking for in a new manager and Cocking “checked all of the boxes.”
Cocking says he was drawn to the community by outgoing City Manager Mark McAnanrney with whom he has had a long professional relationship. McAnarney says this is an exciting hire for Emporia, however, it is somewhat bitter-sweet as it means his time working for the city is getting closer and closer to the end.
McAnarney has been with the city of Emporia for the past 31 years after taking the Assistant City Manager position back in 1989 under then-City Manager Steve Commons. He would later serve under Matt Zimmerman before taking over his current position on an interim basis in 2013 and on a permanent basis back in 2014.
Cocking will officially assume his new role on Dec. 7.
