On Tuesday morning, Seth Sorensen took hold of the reins, beginning his role as Alliance’s new city manager.
The job passes from City Finance Director Randy Waggener and City Clerk Tarrah Johnson, who have served as interim city managers since former City Manager Jeff Sprock resigned in the fall of 2020.
Sorensen began his career in government by working for the Department of Transportation in Wyoming.
“My education was originally in engineering as a civil engineer,” said Sorensen. “I worked in that for several years, then I went to be a public works director in Illinois, of all places. I decided that Chicago politics were not for me, and I went to Texas. I had some family that was living down there. I was a public works director there, then I got this crazy idea that I wanted to be a city manager.”
Moving to West, Texas, Sorensen obtained experience in being a city manager. Sorensen explained that when the opportunity to be closer to family was made possible, he leapt at the chance, moving to Alliance.
“Alliance is a beautiful town, and I’m very excited to be here,” Sorensen said. “There’s a lot going on and I’m very excited to be part of it.”
Sorenson said he noticed a lot of strengths of the community, including its financial status.
“It’s been very well-managed, especially financially,” said Sorensen. “The fiscal state of the city is very strong. It’s exciting that being a small city that’s where we’re at, we get to do a little bit of everything, which is the fun part about government for me. I don’t have to be pigeonholed, so there’s lots of opportunities.
“I think economic development is a strong opportunity, and I look forward to working with Box Butte Development Corporation on that,” Sorensen said. “I think there’s so much potential here. It’s just a really strong community. I’ve noticed a lot of the volunteerism, and a lot of the pride. People take care of their properties.”
One of the things that excites Sorensen is seeing the history of the city in its architecture downtown. He said he hopes to build on the strengths of the community that already exist.
“My vision is pretty basic: make Alliance a great place to live,” said Sorensen. “We’re the greatest hometown in America. I want to make sure that we’re economically stable and growing. I think there’s some opportunity for housing here that we need to look at. Obviously, everyone would like to have a Walmart and have some of that other economic growth. I can’t guarantee any of that, but I just want to make sure that we’re as economically strong and stable as we can be moving into the future to make sure that we have a good quality of life.”
Sorensen said he is grateful for the opportunity to serve Alliance.
“I’m blessed to be here, and I’m very blessed to be back close to family,” Sorensen said. “Everyone here has been very welcoming and very professional, and I look forward to working with them.”