New Ypsi City Manager: Ralph Lange

At its May 15, 2012 meeting, the Ypsilanti city council chose Ralph A. Lange as its next city manager, pending successful completion of negotiations between Lange and a three-person negotiating committee. The council’s selection of Lange was unanimous.

Since 2008 Lange has been executive director of the Henry County (Ohio) Community Improvement Corp. Lange was chosen over Brian P. Vick, former city manager of Grosse Pointe Shores, Mich., after a second round of public interviews Monday evening.

On Friday, May 11, the number of finalists dropped from three to two, when city clerk and interim city manager Frances McMullan withdrew herself from consideration.

Lange’s previous positions included managing director of the Monroe County (Michigan) road commission, 1999-2008; city administrator and director of public safety for the city of Oregon, (Ohio), 1994-1999; and city manager of Albion. The negotiating committee consists of mayor Paul Schreiber, mayor pro tem Lois Richardson, and councilmember Brian Robb. There was no mention of salary or starting date during the May 15 council meeting.