The Atchison City Commission appointed Justin Der City Manager in 2007. He is responsible to the City Commission for the day-to-day management and operation of the City.

Prior to working for the City, Der worked for five years as an assistant to the Mayor of the City of St. Louis, Missouri, where he was responsible for overseeing the performance of over 70 city agencies and making policy recommendations.

Der’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Stanford University and a Master of Arts degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Organizations, Business, and the Economy, also from Stanford University.

Deb Clem was hired as the City Manager’s Administrative Assistant in October 2004. She assists the City Manager and Human Resources Director with numerous projects and reports for the City Commission, Boards and Committees, as well as schedules appointments and meetings for the City Manager. She has worked in the Administrative Assistant field for over 25 years.