New City Administrator announced for Orange City

Orange City, Ia. – The Mayor and City Council of Orange City, Iowa are pleased to announce that Earl Woudstra has accepted the position of City Administrator for the City of Orange City. Earl will be leading the City after the retirement of Duane Feekes, who served the Citizens of Orange City for 41 years and will be retiring at the end of 2019.

Woudstra, a life-long Orange City resident, has recently retired as Athletic Director of Northwestern College. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern College, a Master of Arts degree from the University of Iowa, and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. During Woudstra’s time at Northwestern College, he has served on the President’s Cabinet that has assisted in strategic planning & budget oversight of the College’s $26 million operating budget. He has assisted in the completion of many projects around campus, including Juffer Fieldhouse, and RSC Fitness Center renovations. Woudstra has also been named to the NAIA Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, GPAC Conference AD of the Year, and NAIA Coach of the Year.

He has also served on the City Council of Orange City in the role of Mayor Pro Tem from 1999-2019 working to promote the development of the Puddlejumper Trail system and Park development as well as serving as Council liaison to the Board of Landsmeer Golf Course.

“It has been my pleasure to represent the citizens of Orange City as a city council member for the past 20 years, “ Woudstra says. “I now look forward to the opportunity to serve our community as the City Administrator.  We have dedicated employees, and I look forward to leading this new team. Orange City has so many great things going on – I hope I can use my gifts to honor God and help promote a community that allows its members to thrive.”

“We are excited and proud to announce Earl Woudstra has been hired as Orange City’s new City Administrator. Earl is a life long resident of Orange City. Over his time at Northwestern, Earl earned the respect of coaches, educators and students alike. He exhibits a “can do” spirit and a passion and willingness to make Orange City the best it can be,” says Deb De Haan, Mayor of Orange.  “We are excited about the ways he can strengthen Orange City and keep the community growing for the future.”

Mayor De Haan adds, “We are thankful and truly appreciative of the 41 years of service that Duane has given to the community of Orange City. Duane has overseen and been the driving force for all the development activities and growth this community has experienced over the years. Without Duane’s leadership and stewardship of city resources, many of the wonderful amenities that the Citizens of Orange City enjoy would not have been possible. For that, we are thankful and we know that Duane has set this community up to continue to be successful under the leadership of Earl Woudstra and the City Council.”

Woudstra will begin his position in mid-November, Duane Feekes will retire at the end of 2019.