Altoona names 20-year employee Randy Pierce as city administrator

The City of Altoona has named Randy Pierce as its city administrator.

Pierce will step into the role after working more than 20 years with the city as finance officer, according to a news release from Altoona city officials. He will serve in a dual role until the city hires a finance officer and clerk.

“We have been fortunate as a City, to have Randy Pierce on our team since 2002,” Altoona Mayor Dean O’Connor said in the release. “This new role he is stepping into will be the perfect fit for his vast knowledge and collaboration within City Staff and the community as a whole.”

O'Connor said Pierce's unique understanding of the 20,000-resident community will serve him well as he begins his new leadership role.

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Pierce replaces John Harrenstein, who resigned in July after just five months on the job. Previously city administrator in North Mankato, Minnesota, he told the Free Press in neighboring Mankato that the job had proven not to be "the fit that was needed for me to maximize my talents and not a fit for the city to maximize the position."

Before working in Altoona, Pierce was an accountant in Ottumwa for 10 years. He graduated from William Penn University in Oskaloosa with a degree in accounting.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the citizens of Altoona, and in another capacity," Pierce said in a statement. "I’m looking forward to continuing the collective efforts between council, staff, and community members, to further advance the City of Altoona.”

Pierce and his wife Laurie have two sons and have lived in Altoona since 2002.

Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government reporter for the Register. She can be reached at vbarreda@dmreg.com. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.