O'Fallon Appoints New City Administrator

The city of O'Fallon has a new city administrator. 

Bonnie Therrien was appointed to the post during a special meeting of the city council Monday night and will assume her duties on August 5.

Most recently, Therrien served as Interim Town Manager in North Branford, CT. She has almost 30 years of experience in city management in town ranging from 9,500 to 150,000 population, including Hebron, CT, Wethersfield, CT and Berlin, CT.

 The former city administrator, Keith Riesberg, was released from his contract with the city in February. The search for a new city administrator started in May. A committee of staff and elected officials considered candidates from across the country.

“We went into this process hoping to find a candidate with significant experience but also someone with fresh ideas who could really make an impact on the direction of our City,” O'Fallon Mayor Bill Hennessy said. 

“It was clear, as this process went on, that Bonnie was exactly that person. She impressed our entire committee with her honesty, integrity and her vast and varied experience," Hennessy said.

Therrien is looking forward to her move to the Midwest and the opportunity to lead O’Fallon into the future.

“I am very much looking forward to moving to O’Fallon and working with the Mayor and City Council to lead our City for the betterment of our citizens, businesses and taxpayers,” she said

“The City Administrator’s position greatly appealed to me because of the forward-thinking attitude of the Mayor and City Council, the high caliber of the department heads and staff, and the enthusiasm of the residents and businesses in O’Fallon."

"Everyone I met was so positive about this community and made me feel right at home, so I soon realized that O’Fallon was where I wanted to be. My husband Tom and I look forward to becoming an integral part of this community!" Therrien said.

Therrien has a Master of Science in Public Administration, a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, all from American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts.