Following an executive session at Thursday’s special called meeting, the Brownwood City Council unanimously approved Deputy City Manager Marshal McIntosh as the new City Manager of Brownwood, replacing the departing Emily Crawford who has accepted the same position for the City of Abilene.
McIntosh said following the vote, “I want to thank each of you individually for the confidence you’re placing in me, as well as the confidence in our organization continuing forward. I’ve had the honor of serving with the City for over 10 years and I know the confidence you’re placing in me has a lot to do with the people that are in this room, whether that is staff or our business leaders. The confidence you’re placing in me is because of the work our City employees are doing across our organization. I have confidence in leading us forward because of the dedication and the work you’re doing daily.
“I see several businesses owners and community leaders and I thank you for your partnerships over the years. I know that Brownwood has been successful from those partnerships and those partnerships have elevated us.
“I lastly want to say I really believe in this purpose of public service. We are getting to make a lasting difference with our organization in the lives of Brownwood and the people in our community, and everyone who has the privilege of calling Brownwood home. The work the City is doing is meaningful, it matters, and I’m excited to lead this organization into its next chapter. Mayor and Council, thank you for entrusting this next stewardship role to me, and I look forward to serving Brownwood, Texas.”
According to a press release from the City of Brownwood, McIntosh has been the driving force behind recent key city projects such as the Downtown Master Plan, Riverside Park renovation, Brownwood Event Center Complex, national retail recruitment and among other impactful community improvements.
McIntosh started with the City of Brownwood in 2014 where he has risen rapidly through the ranks, distinguishing himself in roles of increasing responsibility. McIntosh has served as Deputy City Manager since 2021. In this role, he has led key departments including finance, human resources, information technology, communications, while heavily involved in economic development efforts and serving as a lead on citywide strategic initiatives and capital projects.
McIntosh holds a Bachelor of Science in Public and Media Communication and a Master of Business Administration from Howard Payne University. He has furthered his public sector leadership and professional development through completing the Texas Certified Public Manager Program through the William P. Hobby Center for Public Service at Texas State University and Texas Christian University’s Certified Public Communicator program from the Bob Schieffer College of Communication. He holds additional certifications for economic development through Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service and for emergency management from FEMA’s national disaster and emergency management programs involving Incident Command, Community Preparedness, and Public Information.
City Council members offered their reasoning for voting McIntosh into his new role.
Draco Miller Jr. said, “Any time you are in a position to hire, if you have the ability to hire within and that candidate is a rising star, you better take action and get them because if you don’t somebody else will. I’m so proud of our Council for making the decision to hire Marshal because as everyone in this room knows, he’s a workaholic, he can get the job done, he wants to do the job and wants to be here and that says a lot. We didn’t have to look very far at all to find our next City Manager and we’re extremely happy to have you Marshal.”
Melody Nowowiejski said, “I know we talked about your youth in your interviews, but we remember Joan of Arc and all the things she did before she was 20. Isaac Newton discovered the law of gravitation and developed calculus before he was 30, and Christ turned the whole world upside down when He was 33. Don’t let anyone look down on you for your youth, you’re in really good company.”
Ed McMillian said, “I’d like to thank Emily for her insight and saying she’d leave us in good hands. Nothing lasts forever, and she saw the good in Marshal and trained him to replace her. I think Marshal will serve us well and do us a good job.”
Walker Willey said, “There are probably some people here that don’t typically come to Council meetings and don’t necessarily see the results of the work that has been put in. If you do come to the meetings, you’ll Marshal’s ever present here. He’s constantly giving us updates on projects he’s either leading or is very key in the development and progress of. Just know that Marshal is very involved, it’s not a position he’s just been in with a title and a nameplate and he sits in an office. He literally wears a multitude of hats and we are very fortunate to have someone that has had our vision and worked very closely with Emily. As much as we will miss her, I do believe it will continue on exactly in the same fashion we’ve seen.”
Crawford added, “Marshal is incredibly dedicated. When he came into City Hall for the first time he wanted to know everything about what we did. He wanted to know everything about how the City worked, how it runs, the budget process. He has grown and learned a tremendous amount, and he is a highly qualified and experienced candidate. I agree with Councilman Miller, if Brownwood would not have given him this opportunity I know someone would be knocking on the door. I’m very proud of Marshal and proud of Brownwood, and excited to see the progress you will continue to make. He will only build on everything we’ve built so far and the future is very bright.”
Mayor Stephen Haynes’ comments in the City’s press release said, “Marshal McIntosh is not only a product of this organization and community, but a key architect of its recent success. His appointment is a strategic investment in the future of Brownwood. He brings the vision, capability, and character needed to lead Brownwood confidently into its next chapter. Marshal’s appointment reflects the best of what it means to grow leaders from within,” said Mayor Stephen E. Haynes. “Having served Brownwood in nearly every capacity over the past decade, he brings unmatched insight into our community’s operations, challenges, and potential. His long-standing relationships with staff and his forward-thinking vision make him uniquely qualified to lead as our next City Manager.”
The press release further states, McIntosh’s leadership has already left a significant mark on the city. He has played an integral role in Brownwood’s downtown revitalization efforts, the opening of the new event center complex, strategic plan adoption, facilitation of state and federal grants, retail recruitment, parks, and facility improvements. Under his guidance, Brownwood has received multiple awards for excellence in municipal communication as well as state and national awards from the American Planning Association for the downtown plan with emphasis on economic development. In 2022, he was named Professional of the Year by the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce and has been recognized locally as a “40 Under 40” standout citizen under the age of 40 making a positive impact and contribution within Brown County. McIntosh is also a 2018 graduate of the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Brownwood community leadership development program.
