Clay Caruthers, City Manager
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Clay began serving as City Manager for the City of Hurst in July of 2016. He successfully completed the City’s leadership development program, and he began his career in Hurst as a project and financial manager. Clay eventually became a department director and was again promoted to Assistant City Manager in July of 2013. Prior to working in Hurst, Clay worked for a neighboring city as an internal auditor and budget manager. He has worked in local government for nineteen years and spent an additional seven years in the private sector.
Clay graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Business Administration (Finance) degree. He also has a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of North Texas where he graduated with honors and was selected as the program’s Outstanding Student in his final year.
Clay is a member of the Government Finance Officers Association at the state and international levels and is also a member of the North Texas City Managers Association, the Texas City Managers Association, and the International City Managers Association. He is also certified as a government finance officer (CGFO) and a public manager (CPM). Clay is active in many professional and non-profit organizations and in the community.
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Malaika Farmer, Assistant City Manager
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Malaika Marion Farmer was promoted to Assistant City Manager in April 2019 and prior had served as Executive Director of Administration and Customer Service position since September 2016. Current responsibilities of this position include oversight of Planning & Community Development, Central Services, Fleet & Warehouse, Marketing and Communications, and the Volunteers in Action Program. Additionally, she serves as a representative of the City Manager’s Office and plays an integral role in the City’s customer service initiatives.
Malaika has worked for the City of Hurst since 2003 serving in several progressive positions within the Community Services Department before becoming the Executive Director of Administration and Customer Service. She is a proud University of North Texas alumna and received both her Bachelor of Arts in political science and Master of Public Administration degrees from UNT. Malaika is active in many professional organizations and in the community.
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Clayton Fulton, Assistant City Manager
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Clayton Fulton joined Hurst as the Executive Director of Strategic and Fiscal Services in 2016 and was promoted to Assistant City Manager in April 2019. Clayton's primary focus is to assist the City Manager in developing the Annual Budget and Strategic Plan. Additionally, he is responsible for the oversight of the City's finances including cash management, accounting and auditing, and debt management. Prior to joining the team in Hurst, Clayton spent five years as Finance Director with the City of Anna where he earned Anna’s first distinguished budget presentation award from the Government Finance Officers Association and improved the City of Anna’s financial transparency through the Texas Comptroller’s office. Clayton has also has served the State of Utah overseeing the execution and management of various Federal HUD, USDA, and HHS grants.
Clayton graduated with a Master’s in Public Administration from the Romney Institute of Public Management in Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Management in 2008 with an emphasis in local government and financial analysis. While earning his MPA degree Clayton received the Stuart L. Grow award for integrity, academic excellence, concern for other, and devotion to public management. Mr. Fulton also received a Bachelor’s degree from BYU in Sociology.
Clayton and his family are active in their church serving their congregation and community. He enjoys spending time with his family, being outdoors, and working with his hands.
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Greg Dickens, P.E., C.F.M., Executive Director of Public Works
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Greg Dickens is the Executive Director of Public Works and has worked for the City since January of 2014. Prior to joining the City’s management team, he served as Director of Public Works for the Cities of Bedford, North Richland Hills, and Keller. He has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Texas Tech University with additional graduate work at University of Texas at Arlington. His professional career spans over four decades and includes working some for the private sector as well as municipalities.
Greg is a member of several organizations. He is a licensed professional civil engineer, and a certified floodplain manager. He has served as the President of the Texas Municipal Utilities Association and was awarded the 2008 Distinguished Service Award.
Current responsibilities of his position include management of the City’s water, wastewater, street, drainage, and traffic control systems.
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Rita Frick, City Secretary
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Rita Frick has been City Secretary in the City of Hurst since 2006, and has over 32 years experience in municipal government, the last 17 years as a Municipal Clerk. She received her Texas Registered Municipal Clerk’s Certification in 1995 and obtained her Certified Municipal Clerk designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks shortly thereafter.
Current responsibilities include oversight of the Public Services Department which includes Legislative, Public Information and Judicial Services. Rita is an active member of various professional organizations, a member of the HEB Rotary Club and lives in the City of Hurst.
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Steve Niekamp, Police Chief
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Chief Steve Niekamp is a long time Hurst resident and graduate of L.D. Bell High school. Chief Niekamp received his Associate in Applied Science degree from Tarrant County College in Criminal Justice, then joined the Hurst Police Department in 1990. Chief Niekamp furthered his education at Midwestern State University where he received a BAAS in Criminal Justice and graduated Summa Cum Laude.
Chief Niekamp holds a master peace officer license with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
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Brent Craft, Fire Chief
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Chief Brent Craft began his career as a firefighter in 1998. He joined the Hurst Fire Department in 2000. During his time in Hurst, he has served as a firefighter/paramedic, Driver Engineer, Lieutenant, Fire Marshal, and in 2017, he became the Assistant Fire Chief. He graduated from the police academy in 2003. Brent obtained an Associate’s in Fire Administration in 2005, a Bachelor’s in Emergency Administration and Planning in 2006, and a Master’s in Public Administration in 2011. He was appointed to Fire Chief in March 2023. He has been married to his wife Laura, a police sergeant for Irving Police Department, since 2006 and lives in North Richland Hills.
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Chris Connolly, Executive Director of Economic Development & Tourism
Chris earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Texas. He began working for the City of Hurst in 2010 while the Hurst Conference Center was being constructed and served as its General Manager from 2015 to 2023. Prior to that, he worked in video and television production. With a professional career spanning four decades promoting products, people, places, and events, Chris hopes to bring that skill set and others to the Hurst brand in a manner that best benefits its citizens, the business community, and guests. Chris’ first job was at North East Mall as a teenager. He owned a business in Hurst at one time and has a passion for the success of small businesses. Chris serves as a board member for YMCA Camp Carter and the HEB Leadership Alumni Committee. Chris enjoys camping, kayaking, and spending time with his family.
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 Stephanie Jenkins, Executive Director of Human Resources
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Stephanie Jenkins began her career with the City of Hurst in 2023. Prior to coming to Hurst she served the cities of Colleyville, Coppell and Grapevine.
Stephanie holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology and a Master's in Public Administration, both from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Stephanie loves spending time with her family and is most proud of her family.
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Michelle Lazo, Executive Director of Community Development
Serving as the Managing Director of Planning and Community Development since October 2012, Michelle Lazo was promoted to the Executive Director of Planning and Community Development in March 2018. Current responsibilities of this position include oversight of Planning, GIS, Building Inspections and Neighborhood Services.
For over ten years, Michelle has also been the coordinator of the Employee Giving Day and the City’s portion of the 6Stones Community Revitalization Programs connecting volunteers with homes and homeowners in need.
Michelle received her Bachelors of Science from Southwest Texas State University. She has worked for the City of Hurst since 2000 serving in several positions within the Community Development Department before becoming the Executive Director of Planning and Community Development. Michelle is active in the American Planning Association as well as many volunteer organizations throughout the HEB community.
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 Kyle Gordon, Executive Director of Community Services
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Kyle Gordon was promoted to Executive Director of Community Services in April 2019 and prior had served as the Managing Director of Community Services position since October 2016. Current responsibilities of this position include leadership and oversight of the Parks, Recreation, Library, Senior, and Facility Services Divisions. His team is responsible for project planning, property acquisition, park and facility site design, and construction. He serves as the Vice President for the Community Services Development Corporation and the Staff liaison for the City Council, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, the Library Advisory Board, and the Community Arts and Historical Landmark Preservation Committee. Additionally, the Department administers the Park Donation Fund, Senior Center Donation Fund, the Community Services Development Corporation Fund, and State and Federal Grant Funds. He serves as a City Manager’s Office representative and plays an integral role in the City’s customer service initiatives.
Kyle has worked for the City of Hurst since 2000, serving in several progressive positions within the Community Services Department before becoming the Executive Director of Community Services. He is a proud graduate of the University of North Texas and the University of Texas at Arlington. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Leisure Studies (UNT ‘08), a Master of Science in Recreation and Leisure Studies (UNT ‘11), and a Master of Public Administration (UTA ‘15). Kyle is active in many professional organizations and within the HEB community.
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