SC Nebraska News

Chad Bunger will start on Monday, June 5 as the Development Services Director for the City of Hastings.

Bunger has served as director of community and economic development for the town of Bennett, Colorado since July 2022.

Bunger previously spent 15 years with the city of Manhattan, Kansas — first for 6 ½ years as a planner, then for four years as a senior planner, and eventually for 5 ½ years as assistant director of community development.

Bunger grew up in Hildreth and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in May 2001. He received his master’s degree in regional and community planning from Kansas State University in May 2008.

Lee Vrooman, Director of Engineering for the City of Hastings, announced the hiring of Chad Bunger during the Hastings Planning Commission work session on Tuesday, May 16. Vrooman is the interim Director of Development Services. The Director of Development Services reports to the Director of Engineering. 

The Development Services Director position has been vacant since August 2022 when Lisa Parnell-Rowe resigned to become city administrator in Buena Vista, Colorado. Vrooman has filled the role on an interim basis since then.

Vrooman said a large panel, including a couple Planning Commission members, interviewed Bunger.

“We thought he was very genuine and would be a good fit for the City of Hastings,” Vrooman said. “We’re excited to have him.”

Original source can be found here.