Council President and Vice Mayor Nick Hanek set to become new Brunswick city manager

BRUNSWICK — Brunswick City Council will soon vote on appointing Nick Hanek as the city's new city manager ahead of the upcoming retirement of current City Manager Carl DeForest. Brunswick's city manager is responsible for the daily operations of the city and oversees the appointed department heads. Council appoints the city manager with a minimum of five votes for an indefinite term at the behest of Council. The city stated in a media release that Council requested applications to fill the city manager position, and Hanek's "qualifications, experience and dedication to his hometown of Brunswick" made him feel like the right choice to the other members of Council. "I'm overwhelmed and humbled, and I understand the scope and depth of the responsibility that the position brings," Hanek said. "I care very, very deeply about the community I grew up in and that parts of four generations of my family has lived in." Hanek became Brunswick's Ward 2 councilman in 2016 and has served as council president and vice mayor since 2022. He has been a practicing attorney for more than 18 years. He graduated from Brunswick High School in 1999. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Case Western Reserve University in 2003 and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron School of Law in 2008. "This is just the most awesome thing I could ever imagine to happen," Hanek said. "(I) have the ability to help this community that's given me so much and move it in the future." The employment agreement states Hanek's salary would be set at $165,000 annually, and pending council approval, his appointment would be effective April 5. Council moved the resolution to appoint Hanek to the position to a second reading during its meeting Monday. "Brunswick is going to be one of the very best communities in the state of Ohio, in the region and in the country," he said. "I intend to do everything I can to ensure that." Hanek will resign from his role on Council ahead of time. He hopes that the "best and brightest" people want to serve the city with the goal of making it a better place. "I am leaving politics as it's necessary for the role," he said. "This is not a stepping stone. This is what I want to do. I want to work for Brunswick and continue my service professionally." Earlier this year, DeForest announced his intention to retire in 2027 after 35 years of service to the city. "I intend to use every single one of my professional skills to work as hard as I can for the future of this community and to continue the high standards for transparency and responsibility that City Manager (Carl) DeForest has had," Hanek said. "I am ready to meet this challenge." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.