Ryan Waller begins first week as Marion city manager

MARION — Ryan Waller has officially taken over the reins of Marion.

Waller has started his new position as the city manager of the fast-growing metro suburb. His first day was Monday.

Waller, who served as city manager of Indianola, was announced as the new city manager in October.

He previously told The Gazette that he was “excited to be Team Marion.”

“Marion has a tremendous reputation and there’s all sorts of great things happening. Going through the interview process, everyone was enthusiastic and welcoming to me, so that’s exciting to be a part of,” Waller said.

As Marion’s new chief executive officer, he oversees a city staff of over 250 and an annual operating budget of $121.7 million.

Waller served as city manager in Indianola since 2016. Before that, he was the assistant county administrator for Lake County, Ill.

His experience also includes being an assistant village administrator in Lake Bluff, Ill., and administrative assistant to the city manager in Highland Park, Ill.

Waller earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Iowa and his master’s degree in public administration from Northern Illinois University.

He succeeds Lon Pluckhahn, who had served as city manager since 2007, overseeing major economic development amid a population boom of more than 10,000.

Pluckhahn left in August and is now the deputy city manager in Vancouver, Wash.

In his new role leading Marion, Waller’s annual salary is $188,613.

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