John Kross to Retire as Queen Creek Town Manager
After serving the Queen Creek community for more than 26 years, Town Manager John Kross will retire effective Jan. 20, 2023. The Town Council will be considering appointment of a replacement at an upcoming Council meeting.

Kross has served as Town Manager since 2007. Prior to his unanimous appointment to Town Manager, he served as Assistant Town Manager for two years and Community Development Director for eight years. During his tenure, Kross led the Town under the direction of three mayors and 13 Town Councils during a time of tremendous growth for the community. Some of the Town’s notable milestones under Kross’ leadership include:

Construction of the Ellsworth Loop Road, the State’s largest Improvement District

Starting the Queen Creek Fire & Medical and Queen Creek Police departments

Acquiring the Queen Creek Water Company, H2O, Inc. and Diversified Water Company, in addition to working towards various other strategic water investments to ensure Queen Creek’s ample water supply for generations to come

Building hundreds of miles of roadway, water and wastewater infrastructure

Increasing the Town’s bond rating from its first rating of A in 2007 to AA+ in 2022

Building award-winning parks and trails

Becoming the first Arizona municipality to have a fully funded pension reserve

Securing annexation of 4,200 acres of State Trust Lands for the community’s Advanced Manufacturing sector

“Hearing of John’s retirement was difficult – the significant milestones and achievements under his management are extensive and considerable – coupled with a ton of shared memories,” said Queen Creek Vice Mayor Jeff Brown. “So much good has been accomplished for our Town under John’s leadership. He will be missed, both professionally and personally. It has truly been an honor and pleasure to work side by side with John since the early 2000s.”

In addition to his work with the Town, Kross has served as a leader in the industry. He received the 2018 John J. DeBolske Professional Excellence award from the Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA). Kross has served as mentor through the Arizona State University School of Public Affairs Marvin Andrews Fellowship Program, served on a number of committees for ACMA, serves as the chair of the TOPAZ Regional Wireless Cooperative, and completed the Harvard Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program.

“I am very grateful to have had the confidence of our current and many former Town Councils,” shared Queen Creek Town Manager John Kross. “Through the tremendous challenges of managing geometric growth, navigating the implications of the Great Recession, and most recently the pandemic, the many Town Councils have always had the best interests of the community as a whole at heart. It has truly been a privilege to be part of shaping the vision for the community over the many years. I will miss working with an incredibly talented and dedicated group of employees, many who have made significant career changes to become part of the Queen Creek experience. I have been fortunate to work for some other communities in the state, and I would stand up our team to any in the state. The opportunity has been the greatest professional privilege of my life.”

For more information about the Town, visit QueenCreekAZ.gov. To stay updated on news, follow the Town on Facebook.com/QueenCreek and Twitter.com/TownofQC. Report non-emergency issues to QC’s SeeClickFix program.