Lake Oswego's City Council unanimously appointed Denzel Maxwell as the city's next city manager on Aug. 26.

Maxwell, currently the assistant city manager of Fort Collins, Colorado, will start Oct. 5. He replaces Martha Bennett, who resigned earlier this year.

The hire caps a national search that drew more than 40 applicants. Recruitment firm GMP Consultants narrowed the field to five finalists, who were interviewed by panels of city councilors, executive team members and community members. The council deliberated in executive session, closed to the public.

Mayor Joe Buck said in the city's press release that Maxwell impressed the council as a strategic leader committed to public service who understands that effective leadership starts with listening. Buck said the council is excited for Maxwell to get to know Lake Oswego and find new ways to serve the community.

Maxwell has held the Fort Collins assistant city manager post since 2023. In that role he led initiatives in digital transformation, service-delivery improvements and asset management, according to the city of Fort Collins.

Before that, he was assistant to the city manager of Corona, California. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Texas Tech University and a bachelor's degree in economics from Oklahoma State University.

His previous municipal work included overseeing capital improvement projects and managing state and federal legislative policy programs. That work helped secure millions in state and federal funding, according to his Fort Collins biography.

The other four finalists were Doña Ana County Manager and CEO Scott Andrews, Mariposa County Assessor's Office Executive Director Dawn Marie Buckland, Springfield City Manager Nancy Newton and WaterOne assistant general manager Mandy Wagner.

Former Metro Council President Lynn Peterson had served as city manager pro tem after Bennett's departure and initially sought the permanent role but withdrew her candidacy. The city also raised the position's salary range during the search, though the final compensation package has not been disclosed.

Hiring a new city manager was a top priority the council set at its March 3 goal-setting meeting. Maxwell will guide the city's executive leadership team and implement council goals, the Lake Oswego Review reported.

Maxwell said in the announcement that he looks forward to working with the council, community members and city staff to build on past successes and address future opportunities together.