Wimbish returning to West Memphis

Wimbish returning to West Memphis

Former Economic Development director to serve as assistant manager at Utility Department

news@theeveningtimes.com

Familiar people, places and things. A longtime familiar face returns to his home place in West Memphis. The utilities company has a new assistant general manager and Mayor Bill Johnson was delighted about the happy return.

Former Economic Development Director resumes work for the city as second in command at the utilities.

Wimbish resigned as the West Memphis EDD at the end of 2016 to take a similar post in the northwest.

He was set to restart his public service in the Wonder City at the beginning of February.

Prior to leaving Wimbish had the $10 million Tiger IV grant all but buttoned up for the development of the West Memphis Rail Port Logistics Park. He began his career with the city during the Ingram administration and had worked as a department head as city engineer and planning and development director before ascending to the economic development post. In addition to experience with the city, Wimbish is qualified for a leadership role at the utilities with a civil engineering degree from Ole Miss and an MBA from Christian Brothers. Wimbish also has private business leadership experience in the cable TV industry.

The move was announced by Utilities General Manager Todd Pedersen during his January commission meeting. Wimbish will lift the load in the water and sewer department, and complements Pedersen’s electrical expertise.

The Mayor expressed a vision with the Wimbish return to the city.

“Ward Wimbish will be welcome back to the city of West Memphis,” said Johnson. “He will be in a different capacity as assistant general manager with the utility.”

The mayor said he has known Wimbish since he was eight years old. Johnson said he knew Wimbish was pretty smart even as kid coming up. In the mayor’s eyes it’s hard to top the local experience with which Wimbish returns.

“Ward is very intelligent and very knowledgeable of city government,” said Johnson. “He will do a great job with water and sewer.”

The city utilities underwrite the economic development office that Wimbish resigned. Philip Sorrell has been the ED executive director for just over a year.

The mayor thought the pair would be great cohorts.

“He and Phillip have visited,” said Johnson. “Phillip said Ward can help him tremendously with the TIGER grant. Phillip is looking forward to him coming back and he will be a big asset to him.”

By John Rech