Carly Castle is officially Moab’s new city manager, after serving as acting city manager since September 2021 and deputy city manager from 2019 to 2021.
“I’m honored that the mayor and council have placed their trust in me,” Castle said in a statement. “I also appreciate the support and collaboration of our dedicated City staff, and I’m looking forward to ongoing efforts in building strong ties with our community.”
Castle’s position as city manager was confirmed by the council unanimously. Each councilmember expressed their support for Castle, saying that she brought stability and leadership to City Hall.
“Luke [Wojciechowski] and Jason [Taylor] are lucky, they didn’t experience the past tumult and chaos,” Councilmember Tawny Knuteson-Boyd said. Addressing Castle, she said, “You weathered that with grace and with compassion. You took this responsibility probably not really wanting it, and it’s been a pleasure to watch you grow.”
Castle began her role as acting city manager following the resignation of Joel Linares, the previous city manager. His resignation sent shockwaves through city staff due to its swiftness—city staff received notice that Linares was leaving the role at the end of his last day. His resignation also followed two others in the summer of 2021: then-City Attorney Laurie Simonson and Moab Recreation and Aquatic Center Director Emily Sukiennik.
Castle is a Utah native and holds a Juris Doctorate from Brigham Young University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Utah. She worked in Moab as a river guide for Western River Expeditions in the summers of 2006 through 2008 and returned to the city when she became its deputy city manager following her career in the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities.
“The most important role I have is appointing the city manager,” said Mayor Joette Langianese. “[Castle] is the best person for the job.”
While the city is gaining a city manager, it’s losing the sustainability director: Mila Dunbar-Irwin resigned her position and finished her last day on April 12. She began serving in the position in April 2021.
“I sadly made the decision to leave the city due to personal circumstances, housing challenges, and a desire for flexibility,” she said. “I loved the position and working with the excellent team at the city was a pleasure. Moab is in a good position to keep the ball rolling on a number of exciting sustainability efforts and I’m hopeful we’ll find a great new sustainability director soon.”
Dunbar-Irwin said she’s talked with two “promising local candidates” for the sustainability director role.
She will be staying in Moab for the near future, then relocating to work as a project manager for an engineering firm.
