Courtesy Ezra Nair

After several months of searching for a new Vineyard City manager, Mayor Julie Fullmer and the city council found him living just a few blocks from Vineyard’s city building.

Vineyard resident, Ezra Nair, has been announced as the new city manager filling the spot vacated by Jake McHargue.

Nair is currently the Senior Policy Advisor to Utah County Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardner.

“Ezra and I started at the county at the same time, three years ago. Since day one, Ezra has impressed me with his passion for operations, keen eye to detail, and ability to grasp the nuts and bolts of everything from processes to complex budgets,” Gardners said. “It has been a pleasure working with Ezra over the last three years. His skills, proficiency, and ability to get along with everyone are the reasons I asked him to stay as Senior Policy Advisor when I was elected as a County Commissioner 10 months ago. His absence will be felt by Utah County; Vineyard couldn’t have picked a better City Manager.”

Throughout his career in politics and government, Nair has helped organizations achieve goals. Ezra served as a Senior Policy Advisor to both Gardner and Commissioner Tanner Ainge and was instrumental in solving the county’s 2019 budget crisis, helping departments establish performance metrics, and ensuring healthy budget reserves into the future.

Courtesy Ezra Nair

During his time at the county, Ezra also served as the Commission Liaison to the Tourism Tax Advisory Board where he oversaw the roughly $14 million of the county’s TRCC and TRT annual revenues, supporting investment in the Provo Regional Airport and Utah Lake.

Ezra currently serves on the Utah Transit Authority Community Advisory Council and has served as an alternate on the Utah Lake Commission.

“I’m incredibly excited to work for Vineyard City. Vineyard has always been one of the most exciting cities in the county and has an amazing future,” Nair said. “With the FrontRunner station opening shortly, those who haven’t had a chance to recognize the rapid growth right in the heart of the county will shortly do so.”

“With fresh perspective coming in with newly elected members of the council and the ever-innovating Mayor Fullmer at the helm, Vineyard is poised for greatness these next few years. The current staff, former manager, developers, and residents have really set up Vineyard for an exciting implementation of its master plan and I look forward to helping these next crucial years run smoothly,” Nair added.

“The task to place someone in the position of city manager is similar to a marriage. You can’t settle,” Fullmer said. “The partnership has to work for the entire team with the goals of the future and the lives of the residents held closely in your hand.”

“There aren’t really words for the gratitude we’ve felt for our interim city manager George Reid. He made this process steady and gave us time to make a decision we feel is best for our community,” Fullmer said.

Fullmer gave a shout out to those who applied for the job. “Our top candidates were incredible people offering powerful assets to our beautiful city.”

“With that being said, we couldn’t be happier to welcome home, Ezra Nair, and have him join in the momentum we’ve created here with our team,” Fullmer said. “His focus on human connection, transparent communication and analytical methodology will be a force that drives the vision and quality of life in Vineyard forward.”

Fullmer said she has shared a table with Nair for the last four years in several regional and state capacities and notes his judgments have been sound, his desire to serve the people is rooted in each action he has given, and his relationships with Vineyard’s partners is evidence of his core leadership skills that will serve Vineyard well.

In his first year as Vineyard City Manager, Nair says he hopes to establish key performance indicators for city departments in order to provide tools which build on the momentum of Vineyard’s Regional Development plans and enhance the quality of life of residents.

He plans to ensure the policies that have propelled Vineyard are continued and enhanced to protect the long-term interests of the city, and he will implement new initiatives in support of the city’s strategic vision.

Nair received his Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Brigham Young University. He has continued his education at BYU and is pursuing a Master of Public Administration.

“Ezra is a bright young man with an exciting future. I believe he will offer us new and valuable perspectives on city development, and that he will work well as a team member,” said Councilmembers Amber Rasmussen. “Together, we will continue our goals of enhancing our walkable and connected community.”

“Ezra brings a breadth of knowledge and experience. His years of service as a Senior Policy Advisor for Utah County has proven him to be capable, innovative, and collaborative. He has demonstrated a profound love for local government and values active listening and respectful dialogue,” said Councilmember Cristy Welch. “I genuinely look forward to working with Ezra and witnessing the good he will do for our Vineyard community.”

“I love Vineyard, I am incredibly vested in its future because its where I’ve decided to raise my family. I also recognize that Vineyard will not just be great for us residents, but it will continue to be an amazing regional asset,” Nair said.

“Vineyard will soon be one of the most successful hubs for transportation, jobs, and recreation along the entire Wasatch Front. Being the largest RDA in the West, the city has great partnerships and I look forward to building on those relationship and creating new ones to keep this community vibrant,” Nair added.

Nair enjoys playing basketball, reading, watching documentaries and spending time with his family. He and his wife, Alana have a one-year-old daughter.

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