MARQUETTE — The process of choosing a new Marquette Township manager is proceeding apace.

The Marquette Township Board conducted interviews with four candidates during a special meeting on Tuesday via the Zoom virtual meeting platform.

It also unanimously approved a motion to schedule a work session at 1 p.m. Thursday to discuss how to proceed with the interview process.

The first candidate interviewed was Mark Borden, who is currently the executive director of Anesthesia Associates of Ann Arbor, where he has worked since 2016.

Borden was employed as the manager of Carson City in the Lower Peninsula from 2008 to 2014.

The second interview was with Pat Regan, who has been the village manager in downstate Lake Odessa since April 2019. Prior to that, Regan was the city manager in Crystal Falls for three years.

The third candidate interviewed was Michael Cramer, who was the town manager in Carolina Beach, North Carolina, from 2013 to 2018, according to his Linkedin profile. His prior employment experience included a stint as city manager of Menominee from 2011 to 2013.

The fourth interview was with Thomas Markus, who resigned from his his position as city manager in Lawrence, Kansas, in 2019 to move to his current home in Schoolcraft County.

Markus held that position for three years, news reports from the area indicate, but he has worked in municipal government since 1973, he told the Marquette Township Board.

The board members asked each candidate about a dozen questions, which centered around their understanding of policy governance, municipal strategic planning, budget, staff relations and dark store issues.

To join Thursday’s work session via computer, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86279393633.

Those who wish to join by phone can dial 1-312-626-6799 and key in meeting ID 86279393633# when prompted. According to the post on the Marquette Township website, the public can participate in the meeting either by emailing questions or public comment to Township Clerk Randy Ritari at rritari@marquettetownship.org 15 minutes prior to the meeting or during the meeting.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at lbowers@miningjournal.net.