Mr. Ron R. Fehr was named Manhattan’s eighth City Manager on April 17, 2000.  He holds a Bachelors degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Masters of Public Administration degree from Kansas State University. Ron is also a 1997 graduate of Leadership Kansas and 1995 graduate of the Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program, where he currently serves on the Board of Trustees.

Mr. Fehr began his career with the City of Manhattan in the newly formed Parks and Recreation Department in January of 1982, and advanced to the City Manager’s office as Assistant City Manager in December of 1992.  He served as Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, Acting Zoo Director, Acting Director of Human Resources, and Acting Director of Utilities.  He served as Acting City Manager in both 1995 and just prior to his permanent appointment in April, 2000.

Mr. Fehr serves as an ex-officio member, Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; member, Board of Directors, Knowledge-Based Economic Development (KBED); member, International City/County Management Association; serves on the local Economic Development Boards and Committees;  former member, Board of Directors, Flint Hills Breadbasket, Board of Directors K-State Innovation Partners, Board of Directors, Kansas City/County Management Association; the Board of Governors, Fort Riley chapter of the Association for the United States Army; and Past President and Charter member of the Manhattan Konza Rotary Club and 2010 Club Rotarian of the Year.  Past Chair of the Board of Directors for the Flint Hills Breadbasket. 

In 2014, Ron received the Buford M. Watson Jr. Award for Excellence in Public Management, the highest award offered by the Kansas Association of City/County Management.

Mr. Fehr and his wife, Renee, have two sons, Bret and Alec, and one daughter, Jill.