Update: Willmar Council selects three finalists for administrator post

Jennifer Kotila, West Central Tribune, Willmar, Minn.West Central Tribune

Jul. 21---- The

on Monday selected three finalists out of a field of 12 candidates to interview for the Willmar city administrator position.

The three finalists are current Willmar City Operations Director Kyle Box; Andrew Lathrop, director of risk and claims management for the city of Minneapolis; and Emily Burns, finance director for the city of Austin, Minnesota.

City Administrator Leslie Valiant is retiring in January.

Lathrop has worked as the city of Minneapolis' risk and claims management director since September of 2024, overseeing the city's loss prevention, workers' compensation, tort liability claims and insurance programs, according to his resume. He also develops and implements the city's strategic risk management plan and partners with senior leaders to align risk management programs with enterprise objectives.

Prior to working for the city of Minneapolis, Lathrop was the transitional executive director for Alameda County Schools Insurance Group in Pleasanton, California, from January through September of 2024; the human resources manager for the city of Oakland, California, from June 2018 through December 2023 and for the Hayward Unified School District in Hayward, California, from May 2012 through June 2018; general counsel for Leaf Logistics in Los Angeles from August 2010 to May 2012; and, a combat engineer officer in the U.S. Marine Corps in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, from May 2002 through July of 2007, being honorably discharged at the rank of captain.

Lathrop holds an executive certificate in human resources management from California State University, East Bay in Hayward; a juris doctorate from the University of Southern California Law School in Los Angeles; and completed a semester abroad at Temple University Beasley School of Law in Tokyo, Japan. He also holds a bachelor's degree in control systems engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

He holds various certifications, has served on various boards and is a member of various organizations.

Lathrop considers his strengths as being smart, motivated, practical and likable; being able to recognize and consider minutia while thinking systematically; being hardworking and objective driven; taking personal responsibility for assignments and outcomes; being an effective communicator with people of various backgrounds; and being an excellent team member, trainer and leader.

Burns has been the finance director for the city of Austin since December of 2005 and her responsibilities include providing sound financial guidance to the director team, administrator and governing body to ensure the city operates efficiently while being fiscally responsible, according to her resume.

Prior to her current position, Burns was the finance director for the city of Owatonna, Minnesota, from October 2024 through November 2025; the assistant city administrator for the city Cimarron, Kansas, from November of 2023 through October of 2024; the assistant finance director and finance coordinator for the city of Garden City, Kansas, from July of 2014 through November of 2023; the controller for Robinson Oil Company from October 2013 through May of 2014; an after-school program coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Finney and Kearny Counties from September of 2012 through May of 2014; a plant accountant for International Paper from October of 2012 through October of 2013; and a business office manager for the 25th Judicial District Youth Services from August of 2007 through October of 2012.

Burns holds a Master of Public Administration from Wichita State University Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs; a bachelor's degree in organizational management and leadership from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas; and a certified public manager degree from the University of Kansas School of Public Affairs and Administration Public Management Center.

She holds several certificates and professional affiliations with various organizations.

Burns considers herself a proven adviser to elected officials with demonstrated success in organizational leadership, budget development, capital planning, regulatory compliance and intergovernmental coordination.

She also considers herself a professional with a strong record of ethical governance, operational efficiency and cross-departmental collaboration.

Her resume lists her core competencies being city administration and council relations, organizational leadership and staff supervision, budget development and financial stewardship, policy development and implementation, capital improvement planning, human resources and labor relations, economic development administration, state and federal grant management, regulatory compliance and risk management and intergovernmental and community coordination.

Box has served as the Willmar operations director since May of 2022, supporting citywide operations, interdepartmental coordination, strategic planning and implementation of city council priorities, according to his resume.

His duties include supporting citywide capital investment planning; assisting with the annual budget and facilitating long-range financial discussions; preparing and presenting various staff reports, council agenda items, policy recommendations, resolutions, project updates and public-facing communications; coordinating with consultants, contractors, legal counsel, outside agencies, regional partners and state organizations on complex projects and policy matters; and supporting organizational improvements, including department structure, technology, internal workflows, administrative procedures and service delivery improvements.

Prior to serving as the city operations director, Box was the city clerk for the city of Marshall, Minnesota, from September of 2017 through May of 2022 and was an assistant claims representative for North Star Mutual Insurance Company in Cottonwood, Minnesota, from September of 2015 through September of 2017.

Box considers himself to be known for thoughtful decision-making, careful preparation, practical problem-solving and the ability to clarify complex issues for elected officials, staff, residents, community partners and the public; as well as bringing a practical, principled leadership style focused on accountability, consistency, transparent communication and responsible implementation.

His selected leadership highlights include leading and supporting major city initiatives involving infrastructure, broadband, public facilities, economic development and redevelopment, and community growth; providing leadership for

the city's open-access municipal fiber initiative, including project coordination, consultant oversight, coordination of internet service providers, construction readiness, public communication and long-term operational planning; and strengthening interdepartmental coordination, internal systems, administrative processes and organizational accountability.

Box has a bachelor's degree in political science from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall. He is affiliated with civic leadership in various organizations and has continued to develop professionally through various conferences and classes.