City authorities appoint fresh leader for management and top cop in Covington
In a historic move, Sharmili Reddy has been unanimously chosen as the new city manager of Covington, marking a significant milestone as the first woman and the first woman of colour to hold the position. Reddy, currently serving as the Executive Director of PDS, Planning and Development Services of Kenton County, is set to take on her new role in August, following a brief interim period by Keith Bales.
Reddy brings a wealth of experience to her new position, having previously served as the city manager at the city of Ft. Mitchell for five years. Her extensive collaboration with Covington, particularly through her role at PDS, has given her a deep understanding of the city's needs and aspirations.
As the city prepares for a transition from the city commissioner style of government to the city council style of government in 2027, Reddy's commitment to listening, planning, and implementing based on the values of the community will be instrumental.
Meanwhile, within the Covington Police Department, changes are also underway. Lieutenant Colonel Justin Wietholter, who joined the department as a cadet in 2005, has been promoted to succeed Brian Valenti as the new Police Chief, effective August 1. Valenti, who started at the Covington police department in September of 1996, is set to retire on the same date, having been an asset to the city and the community according to Commissioner Tim Downing.
Valenti, in a previous interview, acknowledged Wietholter's potential, stating that he would one day become a chief. Wietholter, in agreement with the new responsibility, expressed his readiness, assuring the commission that he is up to the challenge.
Alongside Wietholter, several other promotions have been announced within the department. Austin Ross, Jacob McBee, Rachel White, Steven Krieger, and Jason McErlane have all been promoted to Sergeant, while Rachel White has been promoted to Lieutenant, effective August 1.
Sharmili Reddy expressed her appreciation for the trust placed in her by the city commissioners and her excitement about the city's momentum. She looks forward to serving the community and contributing to Covington's continued growth and development.
[1] - Source: Covington Independent [2] - Source: Kenton County News [3] - Source: Covington Business Journal [4] - Source: Fort Mitchell Patch
- In her new role as Covington's city manager, Sharmili Reddy will apply her years of experience, having previously served as city manager at the city of Ft. Mitchell for five years and currently serving as the Executive Director of PDS, Planning and Development Services of Kenton County.
- The upcoming transition from the city commissioner style of government to the city council style of government in 2027 will benefit from Reddy's commitment to designing plans and implementing them based on community values.
- Meanwhile, within the Covington Police Department, changes are occurring as Lieutenant Colonel Justin Wietholter, who began his career as a cadet in 2005, ascends to the position of Police Chief, effective August 1, succeeding Brian Valenti who retires on the same date.
- Following his recognition of Wietholter's potential, Valenti, in a previous interview, stated that Wietholter would one day become a chief. Wietholter, in agreement with the new responsibility, expressed his readiness to meet the challenge, alongside other significant promotions within the department, including the promotion of Rachel White to Lieutenant, also effective August 1.