Hailey
The City of Topeka has confirmed that two major city officials have left their positions, prompting immediate action from the administration to maintain smooth delivery of essential services.
The departures involve the heads of the Public Works Department and the Information Technology Department, both of which play vital roles in the city’s operations.
According to city communications, both departures were classified as “personnel matters,” which means no additional details have been publicly released.
Still, the leadership changes have raised questions among residents about continuity, project timelines, and service operations as the city enters a busy period of infrastructure and digital system upgrades.
Who Left Their Positions?
1. Public Works Director – Steve Groen
Steve Groen, who joined the City of Topeka in December 2024, brought more than 40 years of experience in public works, city planning, and infrastructure management.
His role included oversight of road maintenance, traffic systems, utilities, capital improvement projects, and stormwater operations.
2. Information Technology Director / CIO – Randi Stahl
Randi Stahl, appointed as Chief Information Officer in early 2023, led the city’s IT strategies, cybersecurity protections, digital public services, and overall modernization efforts within city departments.
A lifelong Topekan, Stahl played a significant role in upgrading internal systems and supporting critical citywide digital operations.
Both positions are essential for keeping the city functioning safely, efficiently, and technologically secure.
Interim Leaders Assigned to Stabilize Operations
To avoid disruptions, the city is moving forward with interim appointments:
- Jason Tryon has taken over as Interim Public Works Director.
- Pattie Biggs has been appointed Interim Information Technology Director.
These interim leaders will continue managing their respective departments while long-term hiring or promotion decisions are made.
This ensures that public safety, infrastructure repairs, digital systems, and cybersecurity remain fully operational.
Summary of Official Departures and Interim Replacements
| Department | Outgoing Official | Role / Title | Start Date | Interim Replacement | Interim Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Works | Steve Groen | Public Works Director | December 2024 | Jason Tryon | Interim Public Works Director |
| Information Technology | Randi Stahl | CIO / IT Director | February 2023 | Pattie Biggs | Interim Information Technology Director |
Why These Departments Matter
Public Works
The Public Works Department affects daily life in Topeka through:
- Street maintenance and repairs
- Sidewalk and traffic operations
- Water and sewer infrastructure
- Stormwater systems
- Large capital improvement projects
A leadership vacancy in this area requires quick attention because delays could impact road work, utility repairs, or winter storm responses.
Information Technology
The IT Department safeguards the city’s entire digital framework, including:
- Cybersecurity and data protection
- Email, network, and internal software systems
- Online public services
- Emergency communication tools
- Digital modernization efforts
Strong IT leadership is critical, especially as cities face increasing cybersecurity challenges.
What Residents Should Expect Next
Even though the city has not disclosed the reasons behind the departures, officials assured that services will continue normally.
The interim directors will keep current projects on schedule, coordinate with the city manager, and ensure that major work—such as winter road readiness and digital service upgrades—remains uninterrupted.
The City of Topeka is expected to launch formal hiring processes in the coming weeks to determine permanent replacements. Residents can likely anticipate updates on job postings, internal promotions, or external recruitment.
The departure of two key Topeka city officials marks a significant leadership shift, but the appointment of interim directors ensures that essential services continue without disruption.
As the city moves forward, stability remains the priority while long-term leadership decisions are made in both the Public Works and Information Technology departments.
With transitional leadership already in place, Topeka aims to maintain consistent service delivery and protect the city’s infrastructure and digital systems during this period of change.