Ecker promoted to assistant city manager post

By Lisa Brody

With an eye to succession planning, Birmingham City Manager Tom Markus has promoted planning director Jana Ecker to assistant city manager, following a national search.

“We did go out and did a national open process” looking for an assistant city manager, Markus said. “Jana was the best choice for the city of Birmingham.”

Ecker has been with the city of Birmingham for 17 years in the planning department.

“She has a history here. She knows our culture and process, and is good engaging with the public,” he said.

Furthermore, he said, “She was a practicing attorney before she became a planner,” in her native Canada, noting she is a citizen of both the United States and Canada. “Her research is always top notch and she can present so well.”

Ecker is on vacation this week, and could not be reached for comment on her promotion.

Also moving up the ladder in the city manager's officer, Markus announced that Melissa Fairbanks, assistant to the city manager, will be taking on additional responsibilities.

Fairbanks came to the city of Birmingham as a management intern in October 2019, after being a teacher for several years and earning a masters of public administration degree in addition to her masters in secondary education and teaching.

“With Jana and Melissa teaming up, we could be well-prepared for the future in the manager's office,” Markus said. “Their unique skill sets and wealth of knowledge make them excellent candidates for these positions.