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By Jennifer Ryan
When a young Sam Gaston came to Auburn in the mid-seventies to pursue a degree in Public Administration, he couldn’t fully envision his career path, but he knew one thing, he wanted to work in public service. In November of 2025, Gaston was celebrated after completing 45 years of doing just that and retired from spending his last 32 years serving the citizens of Mountain Brook as City Manager.
After earning his MPA from AUM, he worked in the planning departments at the cities of Decatur and Gulf Shores before pivoting to city management roles in Anniston, Powder Springs, Georgia and Mountain Brook. While public service has always been his job, Gaston jokes that it is also “his hobby.” Gaston gives back to his profession and his community, volunteering with numerous organizations including the Alabama City/County Management Association (ACCMA), Alabama Chapter of the American Planning Association, the International City-County Management Association (ICMA), and the Kiwanis Club. “I get great joy and satisfaction through my volunteer roles,” Gaston said. “I feel volunteering is my civic duty. It gives me a sense of purpose,” Gaston explained.
In his role as Board President of ACCMA, Gaston worked closely with Auburn’s Government & Economic Development Institute (GEDI), which coordinates and hosts the association’s professional development courses and conferences. Gaston says the partnership with GEDI has made ACCMA a stronger organization. “Our membership has increased as well as our conference attendance, scholarships, and sponsorship. I have worked with Julia Heflin and now Matt Ulmer, who served as association directors, and they do a fantastic job of putting together our programs. Participants regularly submit extremely positive evaluations.” said Gaston. Ulmer said of Gaston, “Sam’s impact on the public management profession in Alabama and beyond is immeasurable. He is at his best when he coaches and counsels emerging and seasoned public managers. I am excited to see how his positive influence on the profession will continue as Alabama’s first ICMA Senior Advisor.”
Gaston’s retirement will not slow him down. He plans to stay involved in church, the library and Kiwanis club, travel, and spend time with his kids and grandkids. He will also stay active with ICMA and ACCMA, serve as an interim city manager as needed, and teach classes at Auburn and UAB. The GEDI staff appreciates Sam’s countless contributions made to the programs offered to Alabama leaders and wishes him well as he embraces retirement.
