City Manager Wynette Reed to Retire After Years of Service

Goodyear City Manager Wynette Reed to Retire After 14 Years of Transformative Leadership and Over 39 Years in Public Service

The city of Goodyear today announced that City Manager Wynette Reed will retire effective March 6, 2026, capping a remarkable career dedicated to public service that has spanned more than 39 years. Reed's tenure as city manager, which began in February 2023, has been marked by visionary leadership during a period of unprecedented growth for the city, solidifying Goodyear's position as the ninth fastest-growing city in the United States.

"It has been my deepest honor to serve as city manager for this great city," said Reed. "Throughout my tenure, I've always made it a priority to put our residents first - keeping them safe, delivering the best possible services and attracting quality jobs to Goodyear, all while stewarding our resources with a commitment to fiscal responsibility. I couldn't have achieved any of this without the steadfast leadership of our mayor and city council, the incredible dedication of our city team and the unwavering support of our residents. Not everyone gets to witness the hard work and heart that our city team pours into running Goodyear behind the scenes, but I've had the profound privilege of overseeing that effort every day, and I couldn't be prouder of all we've accomplished together. To our entire community, thank you for placing your trust in the vital work we do each and every day; it has been the greatest reward of my career."

Since joining Goodyear in 2011 as Human Resources director and advancing to deputy city manager in 2013, Reed has overseen every department in the city, guiding its evolution from a burgeoning suburb to a dynamic economic hub. Under her stewardship, Goodyear has navigated rapid population expansion, fueled by innovative infrastructure projects, sustainable water management initiatives and economic development strategies that attracted major employers and enhanced quality of life for residents.

Reed's commitment to employee engagement has been a cornerstone of her leadership, prioritizing a culture that values people across the organization. This focus has driven high levels of accomplishment, as evidenced by the organization's employee satisfaction scores, which reached an impressive 95% under her guidance - a true testament to her enduring legacy in Goodyear. Key highlights of her tenure include leading the rapid and successful development of GSQ, Goodyear's vibrant new downtown; spearheading a successful bond election that will fund an enhanced trail system; a state-of-the-art public safety training facility and several critical transportation projects; implementing a highly utilized micro transit program to improve mobility for residents; overseeing the buildout of Goodyear's ambulance service to better prioritize resident health and safety; and establishing a meaningful partnership with Alice Cooper's Solid Rock Teen Center to support youth in the community. Her strategic focus on organizational development, collaborative partnerships and innovative problem-solving has not only supported Goodyear's meteoric rise but also fostered a culture of employee engagement which she believes is at the core of a well-run organization.

Mayor Joe Pizzillo praised Reed's indelible impact. "Wynette will be truly missed. She has been pivotal in leading our team, and we couldn't have done it without her or the incredible team she has built. I wish her nothing but the best for a successful career and a well-deserved retirement filled with new adventures."

Reed's journey in municipal government began in Colorado, where she served the city of Loveland for 14 years in Human Resources. She then moved into the assistant HR director role for Fort Collins and then to Larimer County as the HR director. In 2008, she relocated to Arizona, where she became the HR director for the city of Peoria. In Goodyear, her expertise in human capital planning and leadership, honed through a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University, as well as Harvard's Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program, has been instrumental in building resilient teams and forward-thinking policies. Her commitment to public service was recently honored with her selection as a 2024 Women Achiever of Arizona in the Public Sector by the Arizona Capitol Times.

Soon, the Goodyear City Council will meet to appoint a subcommittee tasked with hiring a recruiter to manage a national recruitment process for Reed's successor. A transition plan will ensure seamless continuity during this period and updates on the search will be shared through city channels.