Royal Oak City Manager Thomas Markus says mentoring the next generation of city leaders is an important part of his work since taking office in May.

“The big thing for me now at my stage is training young people,” Markus told Royal Oak Today in the publication’s third-quarter edition.

Markus has been on the job since May 20. The City Commission voted unanimously on May 11 to hire him at an annual salary of $204,000 under an at-will contract, C&G News reported.

He brings nearly 50 years of municipal experience across seven cities in five states, according to Michigan Municipal Executives. His longest stint was in Birmingham, where he served as city manager from 1989 to 2010. He later led Iowa City, Iowa, and Lawrence, Kansas, before retiring in 2019. He came out of retirement to run Birmingham again from 2021 to 2023.

Vettraino Consulting led the search, reviewing more than 70 applications, according to C&G News. The firm approached Markus specifically for his background and reputation.

Markus described his approach as servant leadership. “We serve the public. Our position should be all about the service,” he told Royal Oak Today.

Markus and his wife Debbie have moved to downtown Royal Oak, within walking distance of City Hall, according to the profile. “I found another city to serve and it’s walkable,” Markus told commissioners at the May 11 meeting, C&G News reported.

The appointment followed two permanent city managers’ departures. Former City Manager Joseph Gacioch was terminated without cause in December 2025 after less than a year on the job, Fox 2 Detroit reported. Gacioch had replaced Paul Brake, who resigned in late 2023.

Mayor Michael Fournier called the hire “a big win for Royal Oak” at the May 11 meeting. Commissioner Brandon Kolo said Markus is not serving in an interim capacity and expressed an expectation that he would serve for multiple years. His contract does not guarantee a term of employment.

Markus received Michigan Municipal Executives’ John M. Patriarche Distinguished Service Award in 2025, the organization’s highest honor.