Tim Gleason was appointed as Davenport’s interim city administrator effective Nov. 3 at the Davenport City Council’s Thursday, Sept. 25, meeting.
He will replace outgoing Davenport City Administrator Doug Maxeiner for up to six months while the city searches for a permanent administrator. Mr. Maxeiner, who was hired in September 2024, announced on Monday, July 21, he would resign from that position citing significant health issues.
“Davenport is fortunate to attract Mr. Gleason to serve in this capacity. He is an established leader in local government management and highly thought of in the profession,” said Mr. Maxeiner in a city news release.
“We welcome Tim here, and I feel confident the city is in good hands with Tim at the reins,” the former East Moline and Moline city administrator added.
Mr. Gleason was hired via MGT Impact Solutions (formerly GovTemps), an executive recruiter focusing on local government, the city said. In the period between Mr. Maxeiner’s departure on Oct. 1 and Mr. Gleason’s arrival, Public Works Director Nicole Gleason will serve as acting administrator. She’s held that dual role previously during past city administrator searches.
Ms. Gleason is not related to the incoming interim administrator, the city news release said.
Tim Gleason has more than 15 years of experience in state and local government executive roles and 21 years in law enforcement. His most recent city role was city manager for Decatur, Illinois. He also previously served as city manager of Bloomington, Illinois, another central Illinois city, before returning for a short time to Decatur.
According to WAND’s Digital team, he resigned as city manager there in a Sept. 12 letter that said “ongoing actions by one council member have undermined the professional stands and mutual trust necessary to fulfill my role.”
‘Excited to join’
In his new capacity as Davenport interim city administrator, Mr. Gleason, also will serve as the chief administrative officer for the organization with over 900 employees and a total annual budget of $271 million for FY 2026, the Davenport news release said.
“I am excited to join this organization, if only on an interim basis, to make Davenport the best community possible for all,” Mr. Gleason added. “I appreciate the history of the city but am even more excited about the future and look forward to working with the mayor, city council, and staff on the challenges ahead.”
Mr. Gleason has a master of arts degree in Public Administration. He completed the Harvard Kennedy School for Senior Executives, the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security, and the Gettysburg Leadership Institute.
He also is a Credentialed Manager with the International City/County Management Association.
The search for a permanent city administrator is expected to get underway in mid-October with an executive search. Colin Baenziger and Associates will post the job announcement. Mr. Gleason is eligible to apply for the position.
Applicants will be vetted and presented to the selection committee, then to the next mayor and city council, which will be seated in January 2026.
On-site interviews are expected in February, with an appointment expected in March 2026. The new city administrator is expected to begin in May of 2026.
Davenport has been without a permanent administrator since 2023 when then City Administrator Corri Spiegel left the position. In November 2023, the city announced it would pay Ms. Spiegel $1.6 million for lost wages and “emotional pain and suffering” due to what she called “prolonged and documented instances of harassment by some elected officials.”
