White House’s Herman receives 2024 City Manager of the Year Award
With more than 40 years of experience in local government, White House City Administrator Gerald Herman has worked diligently to ensure that his municipalities finances and infrastructure keep up with the residential, commercial, and industrial growth of the community.
It is for this reason that the Tennessee City Management Association (TCMA) has recognized Gerald Herman as its City Manager of the Year for 2024. Herman was presented the award Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at the 84th Annual Conference of the Tennessee Municipal League (TML) held at the Knoxville Convention Center in Knoxville.
After serving for four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Herman’s career in government began as a police patrolman for the city of Northwood, Ohio. He eventually became the chief of police for Northwood, and also working during this time to earn an associate’s degree in law enforcement, bachelor’s degree in science, and master’s in public administration.
In 2008, he moved from Ohio to Tennessee to take on the role of police chief for the city of White House. When the previous city manager resigned, Herman was selected to take the position in 2012 following a national search.
Since then, Herman has overseen exponential growth for the city of White House, including commercial and economic development that has brought new businesses including grocery stories, healthcare facilities and offices, hotels, car washes, retail stores, multiple restaurants and fast-food businesses, and six shopping centers to White House. Five major industrial projects - Advanex USA, Smyrna Ready Mix, ReTool, Foster Supply, and Exotic Marble Granite as well as the expansion of Tate – have also occurred under his leadership and management. The city has also approved more than 3,000 single-family homes for development, five new townhome developments with 375 units, and ten multi-family developments with 1,300 units in his tenure
Herman has also headed up the charge to deliver the services and infrastructure needed to facilitate the commercial, industrial, and residential growth of the community. To keep White House an attractive place to live, work, and play, Herman has worked to ensure the city’s annual budget funds important capital improvement projects that will have the largest positive impact on as many citizens as possible.
The city has been able to purchase an aerial ladder truck, engine, and rescue pumper for the city’s fire department. To expand needed water and wastewater infrastructure, he has overseen an expansion of the wastewater treatment plant, irrigation and headworks improvements, four force main upgrades and extensions, three conversions from vacuum to gravity systems, and three major lift station replacements and rehabs.
Road and sidewalk infrastructure improvements to increase White House’s walkability are another of Herman’s major goals. He has added multiple sidewalks that have connected the town center, business areas, medical complexes, and greenways. Roadway improvement under his leadership include the widening of Highway 76 to Interstate 65, new turn lanes, and improvements to allow expanded access for industrial developments. Herman is presently managing 22 road improvement projects in various stages across White House.
He has led the charge to create the city’s new Byrum Park as well as renovations to the municipal park including a nature trail, splash pad, amphitheater, playground, dog park, tennis courts, and new maintenance and restroom facilities. The city’s soccer complex has also received LED lighting upgrades, additional lighting, and a new field. Herman has also overseen the remodel of the visitor center and museum located at the historic White House from which the city gets its name as well as the building of a new library and community center.
Currently underway is the construction of a new, 700,000-square-foot recreation building featuring multiple gyms, a walking track, fitness center, game room, and multi-purpose room. By phasing projects over multiple fiscal years and ensuring excellence project management, Herman has been able to make important capital improvements in a way that keeps the city budget balanced.