City of Phoenix Appoints Ginger Spencer as Assistant City Manager

The City of Phoenix is proud to announce the appointment of Ginger Spencer as a new Assistant City Manager. Spencer succeeds Inger Erickson, who retired in October after a distinguished career in public service.

Spencer brings nearly three decades of leadership experience to the role, having served the City of Phoenix for 28 years in a variety of executive positions. Most recently, she spent more than four years as Deputy City Manager, following her tenure as Director of the Public Works Department beginning in 2017.

“Ginger’s deep institutional knowledge and community connections, strategic leadership, and commitment to public service make her an outstanding choice for Assistant City Manager,” said City Manager Ed Zuercher. “She has consistently demonstrated the ability to lead with integrity, take on difficult projects that cut across departments, and deliver results for Phoenix.”

Throughout her career, Spencer has held key roles including Assistant and Deputy Public Works Director, Director of the Family Advocacy Center, Arts and Culture Administrator, and Special Assistant to the City Manager. Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing critical citywide initiatives related to maintaining citywide services, economic development projects and sustainability efforts.

A Phoenix native and graduate of Alhambra High School, Spencer holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Arizona State University and a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University. She currently serves on the local and national boards of Arizona City/County Management Association, The Recycling Partnership, the Arizona Science Center, and Trellis Arizona and served as past chair of the Phoenix Community Development & Investment Corporation (PCDIC).

Spencer’s contributions have been recognized nationally. She was named one of the “40 under 40” Top Business Leaders by the Phoenix Business Journal in 2013, a Traeger 100 Top Influencer in Government by Engaging Local Government Leaders in 2018, the National Forum for Black Public Administrators Central Arizona Chapter Marks of Excellence Award in 2019, one of the Top 10 Public Works Leaders in the nation by the American Public Works Association in 2021, and the Arizona City/County NextGen Mentor Award in 2024.

“I am honored to continue serving the city I love in this new capacity,” said Spencer. “I look forward to working with our dedicated city staff and community partners to build a stronger, more inclusive Phoenix.”