Hoium to retire from city – Longtime development director to focus on private sector work

Published 10:13 am Tuesday, May 20, 2014

A longtime Austin city department head will soon enter the private sector.

Community Development Director Craig Hoium will leave the city over the next few months, according to Mayor Tom Stiehm. Stiehm told the council during its Monday work session that Hoium plans to slowly phase himself out of the job.

According to Stiehm, Hoium will work full-time over the next month or so before working half-days while the city figures out how best to replace him.

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Hoium has worked for the city of Austin for 18 years, first as a building inspector before he took on land use and economic development duties. He eventually spearheaded several city departments under his current title.

Hoium

Hoium

“His position evolved over several years,” Public Works Director Steven Lang said. “It’s going to be very hard to replace him.”

Hoium said he wants to pursue other interests, which includes starting a real estate business and consulting work in the private sector on land use and other issues.

“I like all the aspects of my job, I enjoy working with people, but I’m also kind of excited about starting this new business and doing consulting work on the private side,” he said.

Hoium said he was pleased to help bring Target and Walmart developments to Austin, among other projects like the east side commercial district featuring Jim’s Supervalue as well as the Knob Hill development. He also spearheaded the acquisitions of nine downtown businesses as part of the Mower County Jail and Justice Center project.

He was also proud to help Austin Public Schools update sprinkler systems in all of its schools, as well as help Hormel Foods Corp. update its Austin plant with more life safety and sprinkler system measures.

The council will work with city staff on replacing the position.