Phoenix is bringing back a familiar face to City Hall leadership. On Wednesday, the City Council approved the return of Ed Zuercher as City Manager, marking a comeback for the veteran administrator who retired from the role in 2021 after nearly three decades of service.
Zuercher currently serves as executive director of the Maricopa Association of Governments. His new appointment, effective November 17, will put him once again at the helm of the nation’s fifth-largest and fastest-growing city.
Mayor Kate Gallego praised the decision, calling Zuercher “the best person to provide the steady leadership and stability Phoenix needs.”
Zuercher began his city career in 1993 as a management intern, steadily rising through leadership positions before being named City Manager in 2013. He steered Phoenix through the aftermath of the Great Recession, turning a $37 million budget deficit into a $30 million surplus by 2021.
During his tenure, Phoenix earned national recognition for its governance and workplace culture, including being named the “Highest-Performing City in America” by Governing Magazine and receiving Gold Certification from What Works Cities for excellence in data-driven decision-making. Forbes also ranked Phoenix among America’s top 500 employers—the only municipality to make the list in 2021.
Zuercher’s leadership was particularly critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Phoenix avoided layoffs and maintained essential services without cutting programs.
“It’s rare to have your dream job once in a lifetime, let alone twice,” Zuercher said in a statement. “I’m honored to return to the city I love and to work alongside the dedicated employees who make Phoenix such an extraordinary place.”
His return marks a full-circle moment for a city leader known for his mantra: work smart, spend wisely, be kind.
