After nearly two years off-and-on searching for a city manager, the city of Gardiner found a former Mainer in Nigeria, who looks to return to Maine with his family and make the switch from international humanitarian aid to municipal management.

Thomas Hill, 48, is expected to start June 5 as Gardiner’s next city manager.

City councilors voted unanimously Wednesday to approve a two-year contract with Hill, with a starting salary of $127,500.

Hill has more than 20 years of public service leadership, including senior roles with the American Red Cross, Save the Children, the International Rescue Committee, and as country director in Nigeria for the Norwegian Refugee Council. The council is one of the largest global humanitarian organizations and was formed after World War II. It now helps displaced refugees worldwide, specializing in six areas: food security, education, shelter, legal assistance, protection from violence, and water, sanitation and hygiene.

While Hill has international public service nonprofit experience, he does not have experience working in municipal government.

But he said Thursday, by phone from Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, he spent part of the last year and a half or so researching municipal management hoping to return to New England with his family and start a new career that would utilize his organizational and service skills.

“I was looking for a way to transition from my side of public service to public service at home, and how to serve your neighbors, that really attracted me,” Hill said. “I haven’t worked specifically for a city before, but I have worked adjacent to cities, particularly with the Red Cross. A lot of the same principles and the approach are the same (in leading public service organizations). Managing people and delivering services to communities, that’s what I’ve spent most of my career doing.”

Mayor Patricia Hart said Hill has already taken steps in anticipation of the new job, by networking, taking classes, and researching municipal government in general and Gardiner specifically. She said Hill has demonstrated effective leadership in his international roles with community-based organizations, which she believes will transfer well as city manager.

“Strong management skills and people skills are transferable across sectors,” Hart said. “Thomas’ wealth of experience working in communities all over the world means he has had to learn new jobs in new places very quickly. In the course of learning, he had to build rapport and respect from his colleagues and constituents. These skills and deep interest in community building will serve Gardiner well.”

Hart said Hill was selected from a pool of 18 applicants, following an extensive search process. Three candidates were interviewed before Hill was chosen.

Denise Brown, whose regular job is the city’s finance director, has also served as interim city manager over the course of the last two years. Hart said she and city councilors appreciated the work of Brown, and other city staff, during the transition.

The city struggled to fill the spot since Andrew Carleton left in 2024, after about two years on the job. His replacement, Robert Peabody, resigned after four months. Following that, in December 2025, officials introduced Chris McLaughlin to residents as a finalist for the job. But Gardiner was then unable to reach an agreement with him . That had Gardiner conducting another search for a city manager, a search that finally landed Hill.

Hill, whose parents live in Harpswell and who spent his childhood in Aroostook County, has family living in the area and plans to look for a home in Gardiner for his family — wife Genevieve Parker and their two boys, ages 7 and 11. Initially they’ll rent a home in Pittston. Hill’s mother previously served as city manager in Bath.

“Our kids were getting older, and we were looking at how can we settle somewhere around family,” Hill said . “I’m super-excited. I really enjoyed my conversations with the council. You can tell everyone cares deeply about Gardiner and there is a strong sense of civic pride. I want to be part of the community. We want to have our kids in the local school. I would love to be able to walk to work. I want to be part of the civic life of the city.”

Hill said he knows he has a lot to learn from city staff, councilors and from the community and said he’s committed to openness, professionalism and accountability.