The City of Mont Belvieu introduced City Manager Brian Winningham to the community on Monday. 

After six months without someone in that position, the city approved a contract with Winningham on Feb. 28.

“This was a long process, across the U.S.,” City Councilman Danny Campbell said. “We were impressed with Brian’s military service and experience in local government.”

Winningham was one of three finalists resulting from a six-month-long nationwide search conducted by Strategic Government Resources and the Mont Belvieu City Council; he was chosen for the position after final interviews that were held on Feb. 18 and 19.

Winningham has more than five years of federal and local government experience and more than 28 years of military experience, having served in various postings for the U.S. Army. He retired as a lieutenant colonel with eight tours in areas of war. 

Before going to Mont Belvieu, he served as the city administrator for the City of Dickinson, North Dakota. 

Winningham holds a master’s degree in administration, national security/strategic studies from the US Naval War College, a bachelor’s degree in philosophy/ theology from Point Loma Nazarene University and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Logistics Management College with certifications in fiscal strategy and execution budget and federal contract law. He also is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

The City of Mont Belvieu has been without a permanent city manager since Nathan Watkins resigned from the position in August of 2021. At that time, Assistant City Manager Scott Swigert was named interim city manager and served in that role until Winningham took over.

Winningham has three adult children, one of whom is a Houston Police officer. It was the desire to be near his family that brought him to Mont Belvieu, he said, adding that his objective is to “make somebody’s day better – everyday.”