TRAVERSE CITY -- Tom Menzel had a three-year plan for overhauling the National Cherry Festival, and hopes to soon make more plans for other community organizations.
Menzel said Tuesday he'll leave the festival when his contract expires Nov. 1, consistent with his oft-repeated pledge to step down from running his hometown festival after a three-year stint. Menzel was hired in February 2006 to replace Tom Kern.
"I said when I was hired I was in it for three years, and I think it's important to stick to that," said Menzel, adding that it's time for some "fresh eyes" to take over the event.
"I think change is good and healthy for an organization," he said.
But Menzel said he'll remain in the Traverse City area and hopes to continue in another public service capacity. He said he's interested in the city manager position being vacated by Richard Lewis, who is set to leave in September. He also mentioned an interest in the top administrative positions at Traverse City Light & Power and the Bay Area Transportation Authority.
"Those are all things I think I could help with," he said. "I do want to continue working full time. I love Traverse City and I enjoy being at home."
Menzel came from an extensive municipal background before joining the National Cherry Festival. He was head of a suburban alliance for commerce and industry in the Chicago suburb of Rolling Meadows, Ill., where he also served as a treasurer, city alderman and mayor/CEO.
Officials with the National Cherry Festival said Menzel lacked experience in running a community festival, but his strong management and communication skills made him the right choice for the job.
"We felt even with no festival experience, he brought the management style that we felt we needed," said Wes Nelson, last year's festival president who headed the search committee that hired Menzel. "He's not a maintenance-type person, and that was good for us."
Nelson, a 34-year festival volunteer, also said Menzel improved the event's relationships with key groups like festival sponsors and volunteers
"I think he's done an outstanding job," Nelson said. "I believe Tom brought a lot of new thinking to the festival."
In his final three-plus months, Menzel said he wants to continue working to build the festival's endowment fund and cash reserves to improve its financial stability. He also hopes to establish a committee of former festival queens to take a more active role in the organization and work toward a smooth transition to a new director.
Menzel, who turns 64 next week, implemented several operational changes in his festival tenure. They included streamlining the festival's organizational chart that significantly narrowed its governing board. He also sold the festival's former headquarters building on Sixth Street that he said was a financial liability, and established a nonprofit arm to raise money for scholarships and other functions.
"I think we have a good foundation," Menzel said. "I think our reputation has improved, and I think we've re-connected with the community."
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