Draper city manager resigning

DRAPER — Eric Keck, the city manager here for three years and a city employee since 1999, is resigning to work for a development company.

The city manager in Draper is a full-time position that oversees many of the operations of the city under the oversight of a part-time mayor and city council members.

Keck will begin working sometime near the beginning of September for the Wadsworth group, a Draper company with divisions in construction and retail development. Keck will try to develop Wadsworth projects in Draper and other Utah cities.

His interest in development prompted him to accept an offer from Wadsworth. "I think the exciting thing is actually taking a concept and seeing a project happen, seeing something come out of the ground with real users and real people having commerce," Keck said.

Keck leaves an 11-year public service career that began in Ohio and brought him to Utah in 1999 as an assistant city manager. He also has worked as Draper's economic development and worked with development issues extensively as the city manager. Those skills will be invaluable in his next job, Keck said.

"I have an understanding of how cities work, an understanding of the processes that you need to get a product approved," Keck said, noting that he knows "what is intrinsically valuable to planning commissions and councils."

Darrell Smith, Draper mayor, said that Keck brought a professional work ethic and thorough economic development knowledge with him.

Keck said that he eventually hopes to spend more time working with youth groups through his church. He has spent vacation time this summer at service projects with 14- to 19-year-olds. "At some point in my future, I think I'd like to get to a point where I do that full time," he said.

The city council will conduct a national search for Keck's replacement, said Bill Colbert, a council member. In the meantime, the council is likely to rely on staff members and managers to complete Keck's duties.

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E-mail: kswinyard@desnews.com