Greenville Borough Council has officially voted to appoint Evan Kardosh as the municipality's next borough manager, selecting the current Meadville Central Fire Department chief to take over the community's leading administrative role. The local governing body reached a unanimous decision during its Monday evening meeting, approving Kardosh after an extensive recruitment effort aimed at filling the vacancy at the head of the borough government.
Kardosh, 34, emerged as the top contender from a final pool of four candidates interviewed for the managerial post. Greenville Mayor Jean Carr-Fisher noted that his administrative background, forward-looking perspective, and dynamic energy set him apart during the hiring process. Carr-Fisher emphasized that the borough was seeking an administrator with fresh ideas and practical municipal experience, making Kardosh an ideal fit to guide Greenville’s municipal operations moving forward.
The approved employment agreement establishes an annual compensation package of $115,000 for Kardosh, representing a substantial advancement from his current annual earnings of $85,312 as Meadville's fire chief. While administrative officials are still finalizing several specific terms of the employment contract, the agreement will not mandate that Kardosh relocate his personal residence to Greenville.
The appointment resolves an administrative leadership search that began earlier this year following the resignation of Greenville's former borough manager in March. In the months since that departure, Assistant Borough Manager Amy Hollowell has stepped in to manage day-to-day operations as the acting borough manager. While Hollowell confirmed that key contract provisions are being finalized, an official start date for Kardosh in Greenville has yet to be formally scheduled.
Kardosh brings a track record of public safety administration and organizational growth to the managerial desk. He first joined the ranks of the Meadville Central Fire Department in 2019 and steadily climbed the operational hierarchy, earning a promotion to the position of fire chief in July 2024. His tenure at the department has been defined by significant expansions in local emergency services.
Among his most prominent achievements in Meadville was orchestrating the launch of a comprehensive municipal ambulance service, an ambitious initiative he directed from late 2022 into early 2023. Under his leadership, the emergency medical operation developed rapidly, assembling a fleet of four modern ambulances within a three-year span and more than doubling the department's annual call volume to meet community health needs.
The rapid development and efficiency of the ambulance division earned statewide recognition for the department. The Pennsylvania Health Services Council and the state Department of Health's Bureau of Emergency Medical Services jointly honored the Meadville Central Fire Department as Pennsylvania's EMS Agency of the Year among small-sized departments, cementing Kardosh's reputation as a capable administrative strategist.
Despite his excitement regarding the Greenville position, Kardosh acknowledged that walking away from active fire service and his colleagues in Meadville was an emotionally demanding decision. He explained that his choice was guided by what he determined to be best for his family, professional trajectory, and long-term career in public administration, while expressing deep appreciation for the department personnel he considers a second family.
The timing of Kardosh's departure aligns directly with broader administrative changes occurring within Meadville's local government. His resignation takes effect on Oct. 2, the exact date on which Meadville City Manager Maryann Menanno is scheduled to step down following a recent announcement by the Meadville City Council.
Kardosh noted that the upcoming leadership transition within Meadville City Hall influenced his timeline, viewing the simultaneous shift as an organic opportunity for the city to welcome a fresh administrative approach. At the same time, the opening in Greenville presented an ideal pathway for him to expand his leadership skills from departmental administration into comprehensive municipal management.
Meadville Mayor Jamie Kinder reflected on the simultaneous departures of both the city manager and the fire chief with mixed emotions. While expressing regret over losing two key administrators, Kinder remarked that external recruitment of Meadville's leadership serves as evidence of the city's successful workplace culture and talent development.
Kinder emphasized that when a municipal administration empowers its workforce, trusts staff expertise, and fosters professional development, employees perform at their peak potential. She noted that high-performing, well-supported municipal leaders inevitably become attractive candidates for neighboring communities seeking seasoned administrative talent.
Looking ahead, Meadville officials are preparing to navigate the transition by prioritizing administrative stability. Mayor Kinder stated that the city’s immediate focus is securing an interim city manager who possesses strong organizational abilities, effective personnel management skills, and a clear dedication to the community before turning attention toward recruiting the next fire chief.
As he prepares to conclude his service with Meadville in early October, Kardosh expressed hope that his time leading the fire department fostered meaningful, lasting improvements. He reflected that even as one participant in a broader municipal system, his primary goal was to leave local public safety operations in a stronger position to serve the public for years to come.
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