After 17 years working as Niles’ Community Development Director, Juan Ganum is moving on to become the city manager of Bridgman.

His last day is Monday and he will begin his new job Feb. 2

“I’ve had the desire to be a city manager for some time and I’m thrilled with the prospect of joining the team in Bridgman,” he said. “I’ve heard nothing but positives about the community and the staff there.”

At the same time, Ganum said he is sad to be leaving behind great colleagues at a time when Niles is poised for growth, development and investment.

“It may not be readily apparent now, but I can sense that Niles is really on the cusp of something great here,” he said. “I feel fortunate to have worked alongside such a talented professional group of colleagues.”

Ric Huff said city leaders have spent the past couple weeks evaluating Ganum’s position and determining how they plan to fill it.

“We want to see how this position can be used to the best benefit of the city in the future,” he said.

Huff said Ganum would be missed.

“He is often one of the first people that people meet when they come to our community needing something from the city,” Huff said. “People just like him. He knows how to communicate well and that is going to be a difficult shoe to fill for the next person. He is a really good spokesman and passionate about our community.”

Ganum said early on in his stint at Niles he noticed that residents were skeptical that Niles could be great.

Ganum made it his goal to change that attitude.

“I felt like my role was to try to convince people that Niles deserved better, that Niles should aspire for better and that change is achievable,” he said. “It sounds like a lofty objective, but helping change the culture of the community was, I think, an important part of what I did on a daily basis.”

As for projects, Ganum is most proud of the removal of the metal frame downtown storefronts, the downtown streetscape and the extension of the city’s multi-use trail.

He even singled out one of his earliest accomplishments — the restoration of the city clock.

“Even though it was a small one I think it was significant,” he said.

Ganum replaces Aaron Anthony, who retired from his job as city manager of Bridgman after 18 years.

Ganum said he became acquainted with Anthony about 20 years ago while working for the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission. Ganum was assigned the job of preparing a recreation plan for Bridgman.

“He and I would chat,” Ganum said. “He, like me, is a former planner turned manager, so I learned a lot from him. We stayed in touch throughout the years.”