The Eufaula City Council wasted no time in hiring an interim city manager to replace Jeb Jones, who resigned March 3 effective April 12 after three years in office.

Following an executive session at a special meeting on Tuesday, March 11, the Council hired Andrea Weckmuel-ler Berhinger to run the city while a search is now underway for a permanent replacement.

She began work Wednesday, March 12, and with the help of Jones immediately began identifying priorities on a “to do” list.

Although she is “interim,” she would not mind becoming “permanent.” “It’s the pleasure of the city council,” she said.

She lives in Shawnee with her husband Fred Berhinger, a businessman.

“For now, I will travel back and forth,” she said.

Weckmueller-Berhinger was city manager at Shawnee, until her resignation on Jan. 22. She held that position for almost 3 ½ years. Prior to that, she served briefly as assistant city manager.

A native of Rheinbollen, Germany and graduate of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Weckmueller-Berhinger has extensive experience in administration.

She stated in her resume about her Shawnee position: “I oversaw the planning and management of all city activities and operations. I coordinated programs, services, and projects among city departments and outside agencies, and represented the City’s interests to external partners. Furthermore, I ensured the financial integrity of City operations as well as provided policy advice and administrative support to the Mayor and City Commission.”

Prior to moving to Oklahoma, she was executive director of the Walla Walla (Washington) Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization for 6 ½ years.

Of that position she said she: “Oversaw all planning activities, administrative functions, and agency operations for the bistate Metropolitan Planning Organization and Regional Transportation Planning Organization in the Walla Walla Valley area, located in southeast Washington and northeast Oregon.

“Ensured compliance with federal and state mandates and worked closely with member entities and external partner agencies on regionally significant programs and projects.”

Vice Mayor James Hickman commented after the meeting that it was one of the most impressive resumes he had ever seen.

The council set her base salary at $60 an hour, 40 hours a week.