Woodbury’s new city administrator is a resident with over 20 years of experience in local government, according to the city.

Jeffrey Dahl was announced as the new city administrator by the Woodbury City Council on Wednesday. After months of searching and narrowing down the selection of candidates to five, Dahl was chosen as the right fit. Dahl will start his position with the city July 28, once he is approved by the city council during their June 11 meeting, according to a press release.

“I’m super excited,” Dahl said. “I know the community well as a resident and having started my career there.”

The council searched nationally for a new administrator with search firm Baker Tilly. Each of the five candidates was interviewed by the city council, city staff and community members before the council reached its final decision, according to the release.

Woodbury Mayor Anne Burt said in the press release that Dahl is a personable, strategic thinker and knows Woodbury well, making him a positive addition to serve Woodbury.

“I’m excited to welcome Jeffrey to the city of Woodbury team,” Burt said in the release. “We had an incredibly talented pool of applicants and Jeffrey impressed us all with his experience, his passion for public service and his approach to the job.”

Since 2016, Dahl has served as the city manager and HRA executive director for the city of Wayzata. In the past, he has been an assistant city administrator and economic development director in the city of Chaska and a city administrator and development services director for the city of Osseo, according to the release.

Dahl’s work in local government began through a community development internship with Woodbury in 2005, according to the release. He has a master’s degree in political science with an urban studies/planning emphasis and a bachelor’s in international relations from the University of Minnesota.

For close to 10 years, Dahl has lived in Woodbury with his wife, Christine, stepdaughter, Camila, and son, Jack, according to the release.

Dahl said throughout the interview process, he found Woodbury’s staff to be highly professional and described the council members as collaborative and fun.

“I’m really excited to get to know people in the organization,” Dahl said.

When Dahl describes Woodbury to nonresidents, he says the city is diverse, rich with nature, has a strong economy and business community and a great public safety network. He looks forward to the opportunities that lie ahead in his new role, he said, and his first priority is getting to know members of the city government and community better.

“I really appreciate the opportunity, and I’m looking forward to starting,” Dahl said.

After serving the city of Woodbury for 21 years, current Woodbury City Administrator Clint Gridley will retire from his position Friday, June 6.

“Clint Gridley is leaving behind a tremendous legacy,” Dahl said.