Elgin City Manager Folarin to step down
In February 2008, Femi Folarin said rumors were "absolutely false" that his retirement as Elgin city manager was imminent.
"When I decide I'm going to retire, the people I have an obligation to tell are two: the city council and my staff, and I have not told either of them," he said at the time.
Wednesday, the 64-year-old made his plans known during a news conference before city staff members and council members: He is retiring on June 30.
Folarin, who took over as city manager in spring 2005, is credited with stabilizing the city's top administrative post that had been a revolving door since late 2000 as two people - Joyce Parker and David Dorgan - came and went.
"We have been able to work together as one organization, council, (city) staff and city employees in general," said Folarin, who has worked for the city more than 20 years. "I think that will carry us a long way."
Folarin said he plans to spend more time with his wife, Phyllis, and golf more.
"The thing that will stay with me is my experience at the city of Elgin is the people I work with," he said. "I wish the people we serve got to know (city colleagues) like I do."
Mayor Ed Schock said Folarin took over in "turbulent times" and has been instrumental in development and redevelopment in the city.
"He really came in and unified the (city) council, unified the (city) staff and motivated the staff," said Schock, adding he could not recall a serious disagreement between the two in the last 41/2 years. "That's more a testament to the city manager's skills than mine. He's just been a pleasure to work with an outstanding, first-rate individual."
Born in 1944 in Nigeria, Folarin, who came to the United States around age 21 to attend Wilberforce University in Ohio, was initially hired at the city in 1989 to lead the human resources department.
He earned his MBA from Northern Illinois University in 1975 and a law degree in 1983, and he served as the chief operating officer at Woodruff and Edwards Foundry in Elgin until it went under in the late 1980s.
City officials will appoint Sean Stegall, the assistant city manager since 2000, to Folarin's post.
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