Medford, OR. — The Medford City Council has selected three finalists to compete for the city’s top administrative position following a nationwide recruitment that attracted nearly 40 applicants.
The finalists are Martha Bennett, a former Lake Oswego city manager; DawnMarie Buckland, an Arizona county government executive; and Geir Kalhagen, a Texas transportation official with extensive maritime industry experience.
Medford residents will have an opportunity to meet the candidates Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Prescott Room at Medford Police Department headquarters, 219 S. Ivy St.
The informal gathering will allow community members to learn more about the finalists’ professional backgrounds and experience.
Bennett most recently served as city manager of Lake Oswego. Her previous positions include chief operating officer for Metro, city administrator of Ashland and executive director of the Columbia River Gorge Commission. She also worked for the cities of Milwaukie and Albany and served as a legislative fellow in the office of former U.S. Sen. Mark Hatfield.
Bennett holds a master’s degree in public policy from the University of California, Berkeley, and bachelor’s degrees in history and political science from Willamette University.
Buckland currently serves as executive director and chief deputy assessor for the Maricopa County Assessor’s Office in Arizona. She previously worked as assistant town manager and director of administration and government affairs for Paradise Valley, Arizona.
Her local government experience also includes budget and management positions in Gilbert, Chandler and Peoria, Arizona. Buckland previously served in the U.S. Air Force as a wartime readiness manager and command post controller.
She holds a master’s degree in administration from Northern Arizona University and a bachelor’s degree in business and information technology from the University of Phoenix. Her professional credentials include International City/County Management Association credentialed manager, Certified Public Manager and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
Kalhagen currently leads the Maritime Division of the Texas Department of Transportation. He is also principal of Blackfin International, a consulting company specializing in port and terminal planning.
Kalhagen previously served as CEO of the Port of Longview in Washington and as Metro Ports’ director for Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. His earlier career included management positions with Tidal Transport and Trading, Star Shipping and SSA Marine.
He earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and political science from the University of South Alabama. Kalhagen also holds a limited U.S. Coast Guard master mariner license.
The City Council Selection Committee chose the three finalists after reviewing the applicant pool and conducting virtual interviews with semifinalists.
Medford’s city manager reports directly to the mayor and City Council and acts as the city’s chief executive officer. The manager oversees municipal departments, daily operations and implementation of council priorities.
The recruitment follows former City Manager Rob Field’s resignation in November 2025. John Vial has served as interim city manager and is expected to return to retirement once a permanent manager is hired or when his contract concludes in November.
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