Mayor Munson announced today that Jennifer Holsen has submitted her intent to retire as Director of Human Resources for the City of Sioux Falls effective October 17, 2008.

Mayor Munson accepts her decision with regret and expresses gratitude to Holsen for her many accomplishments and nearly 26 years of dedicated service to the citizens of Sioux Falls.

“We appreciate Holsen’s advanced notice of her intentions,” Munson said. “During her tenure as Director, she has been very effective in recruiting and developing future leaders in our HR department. This allows us to have strong continuity as she retires.”

As a result of that succession planning process, Munson intends to appoint Bill O’Toole, Human Resources Manager—Labor Relations & Pension, as Director of Human Resources. O’Toole will be responsible for the overall operation and administration of the Human Resources Department, including labor relations and labor contract administration, citywide benefits, payroll administration, Civil Service system, employment and training, City’s Health/Dental Fund, and the City’s two pension systems.

O’Toole has been employed with the City of Sioux Falls Human Resources Department since August 1996, when he was hired as the Human Relations Investigator. His job duties during this 12-year period have included staff rotations in compensation and benefits, to his current position as Human Resources Manager with responsibilities in the area of labor and employee relations, labor contract negotiation and administration, and the administration of the City’s two employee pension systems. Prior to his employment with the City, O’Toole was Director with the Division of Human Rights, South Dakota Department of Commerce & Regulation, where he served in that capacity for three years.

O’Toole holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of South Dakota. He pursued graduate work in counseling and business administration. He currently serves on the Operations Committee for Volunteers of America—Dakotas.

O’Toole and his wife Beth have two daughters, ages 13 and 11, and his hobbies include golf and hunting. O’Toole stated, “I am honored by this appointment and look forward to serving Mayor Munson and the City Council. The Human Resources Department is comprised of highly dedicated and professional individuals and I look forward to continuing the tradition of providing excellent human resource services to the City of Sioux Falls. I feel very fortunate to have served my 12-year career in the Human Resources Department under the leadership and direction of Jennifer Holsen. She has been an incredible mentor and friend, and I wish her the best in her retirement.”

The Mayor’s appointment of Bill O’Toole as the Director of Human Resources will be placed on the August 18 City Council Agenda for advice and consent of the City Council effective October 20, 2008. This action is necessary to provide for an orderly transition of duties.