Quitman council names Attaway as administrator

Wood County Monitor
By Larry Tucker editor@wood.cm
Posted Thursday, February 16, 2023 5:13 am

A Quitman native is returning home to take over the position of city administrator effective May 1. 

Quitman High School graduate Lt. Col. James Attaway will be retiring after 24 years of service from the United States Army and is replacing administrator Rodney Kieke.

Mayor Randy Dunn made the announcement after a closed session Friday afternoon.

Kieke has been commuting to Quitman from Galveston the past few months.

Dunn said, “Rodney Kieke has done us a great job and will be transitioning to other interests.  He has been a big part of the growth in new businesses and sales tax in Quitman for the past four years. He also has graciously offered to be available to assist James when needed.”

Attaway is on assignment in San Antonio at Fort Sam Houston where he is chief operations officer.

His family remains in Nacogdoches until the graduation of his daughter, Daisy, from Central Heights High School. She will be attending the University of Texas in the fall. 

Attaway and his wife, Shauna, will be building a home upon his return to Quitman. Attaway’s son, James, will be an eighth grader at Quitman Junior High School in the fall. The Attaways will be residing at Lake Quitman.

“We knew we wanted to come back,” he said. “I have been serving at the federal level for years. I want to continue to serve and especially if I can come back to the city which has done so much for me.

“Quitman has great people who are down to earth and have a great work ethic. My family is very blessed. My son is excited about being a Bulldog next year. I am simply super excited and humbled to be able to come back home and serve the people of Quitman.”

Attaway said he is ready to step into the position. “I am very comfortable as chief operations officer. Obviously there will be some things I have to learn. I have reached out to Rodney (Kieke) and he has been great to talk to about the position and all of the duties. I have a learning curve ahead of me, but I am looking forward to it,” Attaway added.

The regular city council meeting scheduled Feb. 16 has been canceled.