The Glendale City Council has appointed a longtime municipal leader with a successful history of steering community growth as its next city manager. Patrick Banger, currently the Gilbert town manager, will take on the role of the city’s chief executive officer, overseeing daily operations, implementing the policies of the city council and managing the city budget.
“I’m proud to welcome Patrick Banger to Glendale as our next city manager,” said Glendale Mayor Jerry P. Weiers. “Patrick is a proven innovator, and his experience aligns with Glendale regarding economic development and diversification of industries. His forward-thinking leadership and results-driven approach make him the perfect fit for Glendale as we continue to grow, innovate, and lead across the Valley.”
Banger is credited with leading Gilbert through an explosive growth period and helping transform the town into a highly sought-after place for residents and corporate investments. Under his leadership, the Gilbert Heritage District was revitalized, attracting $387 million in private investment and 748,000 square feet of new development. Banger’s career has included a mix of government and private-sector work, though he has held government positions for 24 years.
“I am deeply honored to have been selected as Glendale’s next City Manager and grateful to the Mayor and Council for placing their trust in me,” said Patrick Banger. “I look forward to working alongside them and with Glendale’s exceptional employees as we serve this vibrant community and keep building on the city’s momentum for continued success.”
Innovation is at the core of Banger’s leadership. He pioneered one of the first municipal positions responsible for integrating artificial intelligence technologies into local government, while also addressing ethical considerations and risk mitigation. He also led the community planning for a comprehensive, long-term sustainability program using advanced metrics and future-state modeling.
“My 14 years in Gilbert have been incredibly rewarding and I’m grateful to the elected officials, staff and community there for the partnerships and accomplishments we achieved together,” Banger said. “Those experiences have prepared me well for this next chapter, and I’m ready to bring that same energy and commitment to Glendale.”
Over the past two decades, Glendale has built a reputation as Arizona’s sports and entertainment destination. The city’s historic downtown features two distinct neighborhoods with more than 90 specialty shops and restaurants. In 2026, Glendale will open its newly renovated City Hall in the heart of downtown, which is a $90 million investment in a state-of-the-art civic facility.
Glendale employs more than 2,000 dedicated professionals and maintains a Fiscal Year 2026 budget of $1.46 billion. Consistently recognized as one of the most business-friendly cities in the Valley, Glendale has attracted more than $3 billion in private sector investment in recent years.
Banger holds a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from Missouri State University and a Master of Arts degree in management from Webster University. He is the current chair of the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Management Board, a past President of the Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA), and a former Honorary Base Commander at Luke Air Force Base.
In 2019, he received the 2019 John J. ‘Jack’ Debolski Award for Excellence in City Management by the Arizona City/County Management Association, the highest award ACMA bestows on a public official.
City Manager Kevin Phelps announced in February 2025 that he would step down after nearly 10 years of service. Banger will assume his role on Jan. 12, 2026. Phelps will remain on for the transition through the end of January.
