Oakland Township Manager Jim Creech Is Finalist for Meridian Charter Township Job

Oakland Township Manager Jim Creech is a finalist for the same position in Meridian Charter Township and will undergo a public interview for the job March 16.

Creech, who has served Oakland Township for more than 14 years, is one of four candidates for the position in Meridian Charter Township, a community of nearly 40,000 residents near East Lansing.

The other finalists include Saginaw City Manager Darnell Earley, Grand Blanc City Manager Paul Blake and St. Joseph City Manager Frank Walsh.

"I am looking at larger municipalities with quality of life priorities that will be challenging and utilize my entire skill set," Creech told Oakland Township-Lake Orion Patch via e-mail. "My son is graduating high school in May, which loosens my ties to southeastern Michigan."

Last year, Creech made it to the finalist round of Troy's city manager search, but lost out to former Tittabawassee Township Manager Brian Kischnick.

The Michigan Municipal League is helping Meridian Charter Township find a replacement for Jerry Richards, who announced his plans to retire last year. Following the March 16 interviews, the MML will narrow the number of finalists and conduct in-depth background and reference checks, according to MML search consultant Karl Tomion.

He said the field already has been reduced from 23 candidates.

"If I am fortunate enough be offered a position as manager and have a successful negotiation of an agreement with a new employer, I assume Oakland will also perform a search to fill my vacated position," Creech said. "Of course, I would be willing to assist them in that effort."