News

Township President and General Manager Don Norrell shares retirement plans

By The Woodlands Township | May 23, 2019

THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS – During The Woodlands Township May 22, 2019, Board of Directors meeting, the Board unanimously approved Township President and General Manager Don Norrell’s annual performance evaluation and continued his contract until April 30, 2020.

While the Township wanted to extend the contract longer than 2020, Mr. Norrell expressed his desire to retire in 2020 after 14 years of service. Wanting to balance Mr. Norrell’s plans to retire with the idea to continue to benefit from his experience and guidance even after retirement, the Township has offered a consulting agreement to Mr. Norrell for the period May 1, 2020, to April 30, 2021, which Mr. Norrell has accepted.

“We have been so fortunate to have Don Norrell’s experience and character serving as the Township President and General Manager since 2006,” said Township Chairman Gordy Bunch. “We appreciate his service to this community and the work he has done to guide us through much growth and change. We are very fortunate to have him help us in the transition of leadership of the organization while we transition to a new president and general manager, and potentially to a new city.”

“My decision to retire as President and General Manager in 2020 will allow me to spend more time with my wife, children and grandchildren,” Mr. Norrell said. “The time I have spent with The Woodlands Township has been the best years of my career. I have truly enjoyed working with an exceptional Board of Directors, a very talented and dedicated group of employees and being able to work in one of the most unique and beautiful communities in the nation. It has been my pleasure to serve the Board and The Woodlands community and I look forward to another productive year as well as the opportunity to continue a part-time consulting relationship with the Township to assist with transition and incorporation planning following my retirement as President and General Manager in May, 2020.”

As President and General Manager, Mr. Norrell oversees all departments within The Woodlands Township, including administration, community relations, covenant administration, economic development, environmental services, finance, The Woodlands Fire Department, human resources, neighborhood services, parks and recreation, legislative initiatives, transportation, public safety and law enforcement, among other duties. Responsibilities include the operating and capital improvements budgets as well as the implementation of strategic plans, goals, and objectives to meet the public service needs of residents and businesses in The Woodlands Township. Additionally, Mr. Norrell serves as a Director on Visit The Woodlands, the nonprofit organization that focuses on bringing convention and corporate meetings to The Woodlands.

During the historic transition of the Community Associations and Town Center Improvement District to The Woodlands Township, Mr. Norrell was responsible for coordinating, directing and managing all activities related to the consolidation of services. The Transition was made possible after The Woodlands reached Regional Participation Agreements with the cities of Houston and Conroe in 2007 allowing The Woodlands to determine its own future governance. Mr. Norrell led the Transition between The Woodlands Township and the Community Associations of The Woodlands which took effect on January 1, 2010.

Before joining The Woodlands, Mr. Norrell had more than 30 years of public service and administration in city management and finance for the cities of Irving, Texas, and Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he was City Manager for 14 years. Prior to his position as President of The Woodlands Township, Mr. Norrell served as President of The Woodlands Community Service Corporation for three years where he was responsible for day-to-day operations of The Woodlands Community Association (WCA), The Woodlands Association (TWA) and The Woodlands Commercial Owners Association (WCOA). He is a native Texan, a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from East Texas State University. He and his wife Vicki live in the Village of Grogan’s Mill in The Woodlands and have three grown children.

Recruitment for a new general manager will be discussed at a future board meeting later this year.

For more information about The Woodlands Township, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or call 281-210-3800.