Jill Schramm/MDN Tom Joyce participates on a panel Wednesday, Oct. 1, during a public meet-and-greet in Minot City Hall with city manager finalists.

Tom Joyce said he will look to build relationships with staff and the community as the Minot City Council’s unanimous pick for city manager Thursday, Oct. 2.

Joyce was selected over other finalists, City of Minot Finance Director David Lakefield and David Kees, an independent contractor in business development and mineral acquisition in Irving, Texas.

Joyce began the role of assistant city manager in January 2024, after retiring as colonel with the U.S. Air Force in 2014, then serving the U.S. Army as deputy garrison commander.

Joyce said among his first actions will be meeting with staff, potentially bringing them together in a type of employee town hall.

“My number one job is to support them,” he said. “I’ve been fortunate to get to know them but now it is a different role, and I want to know what their concerns are.”

He said he already has been working on an employee leadership development cohort group of 17 participants, who are scheduled to begin a six-month leadership curriculum next week. His own experience has shown the value of leadership training, and feedback of staff indicates they are hungry for it as well, Joyce said.

“I’m a people person. I’m a maximizer. I think everybody can do a lot,” he said. “I’m here to help them get there because it’s just going to make us all better.”

He also plans to continue the meetings he has started with community partners in economic development, education, healthcare, military and other areas.

“They bring so much to the city,” he said. “If the leadership of these big organizations can get on the same page, it’s much easier to forge ahead. I’m looking forward to being part of that equation.”

He added he wants to get out and become part of the greater community, participating in community-level projects and meetings.

Council members praised the quality of finalists and the in-house hiring process that brought them to the forefront.

“While, to me, it was a very difficult decision to go this direction,” said council member Mike Blessum, who made the motion to appoint Joyce, “I was glad to see the data results – that it supported the motion.”

Panel interviews and input from city employees and the public all favored Joyce, he said.

“It was helpful to get the data yesterday to see that everybody was kind of thinking along the same lines, but scores were so close, ” council member Lisa Olson said. “This is a tough decision.”

“I’m not voting against anyone,” council member Scott Samuelson added. “I just wanted to make that clear because they’re all fantastic.”

The council later met in executive session to consider a contract. Its proposed contract will be considered at the Monday, Oct. 6, council meeting, and if agreed to by both Joyce and the council, it will seal the appointment. If not agreed to by both parties, negotiations would ensue.