Maricopa hires new City Manager – Ricky Horst

Rick Horst
Bethany Blundell/PinalCentral

[NEWS RELEASE] City Council unanimously approved a three year contract with Ricky Horst for the position of City Manager at the April 24 City Council meeting. His start date will be June 25.

Horst has been the City Manager of Rocklin, California since 2011. He has more than 28 year of experience in the field of public administration with 23 years in the position of City Manager. Horst is a credentialed City Manager, certified with the International City/County Management Association.

“We are excited to welcome Ricky Horst to the City of Maricopa,” said Mayor Christian Price. “With his extensive service as a successful leader and proven track record in economic development we feel confident in his ability to implement the policy of the City Council and continue to move the City of Maricopa forward. His sincere interest in the City and buy-in to become part of our close-knit community is exactly the type of executive we set out to find.”

“I am honored by the confidence the City Council has given me and excited to join a very professional and forward thinking team,” said Horst.

Horst was born in Crestview, Florida. Following graduation from Okaloosa Walton Community College with an Arts degree in Music Education, Horst served a two-year church service mission in Canada before completing his formal education at Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation Management and Youth Leadership, followed by a Master of Arts Degree in Recreation Management and Community Resource Development. Some years later, he completed course work toward a Master in Public Administration Degree at Troy State University. Married for nearly 40 years to Cynthia, they have six children and are preparing to welcome their 14th grandchild.