Lawrence names Majed Al-Ghafry as next city manager

Lawrence’s next city manager will step into one of City Hall’s most consequential jobs with budget season, housing pressure and World Cup planning already on the agenda. City commissioners on Tuesday, June 9, selected Majed Al-Ghafry after a search that began in January and moved through interviews, a community meet-and-greet and contract talks.

The hire gives Lawrence a permanent top administrator after Craig S. Owens said in November 2025 that he would end his six and a half years in the job in May 2026. The city manager runs day-to-day municipal operations, and the City Commission, which hires the manager and approves the budget, is counting on Al-Ghafry to help turn policy into delivery at a time when residents are weighing service levels, taxes and long-term planning.

Al-Ghafry comes to Lawrence from DeSoto, Texas, where he has served as city manager since 2024. Before that, he was assistant city manager and chief economic development officer for Dallas from 2022 to 2024 and assistant city manager for Dallas infrastructure from 2017 to 2022. He also held senior roles in El Cajon, California, and San Antonio, giving him a résumé built around public works, infrastructure and economic development in fast-growing cities.

That background lines up closely with what Lawrence leaders said they need now. Mayor Brad Finkeldei pointed to public works, economic development and large complex projects, saying Al-Ghafry’s experience fit a city moving into an execution phase for planned growth. Vice Mayor Mike Courtney said the first year should focus on stabilizing long-term finances, improving service delivery, advancing sustainable affordable housing efforts and building more public-private partnerships.

Those priorities mirror the pressure points already on the city’s calendar. In March, Lawrence was gathering community input for the 2027 operating budget, while the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, supported by a local sales tax, was expected to award up to $1.2 million in 2026 for housing serving households at 80% of area median income or below. The city is also preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a base camp site for Team Algeria, part of a summer when the Kansas City region expects thousands of visitors.

Lawrence initially named five finalists for the job, David Vela, Joe Fivas, Joseph Lessard, Al-Ghafry and Michael Kovacs. One later withdrew before the final community meet-and-greet at the Carnegie Building on May 20, leaving four people in the public session. The city said the new manager’s compensation package tops $338,000, including a $330,000 base salary, a sign of how much the commission is investing in a leader who will have to steady finances while keeping growth, housing and major event planning on track.