Killeen City Council approves two new leadership hires

KILLEEN, Texas (Aug. 21, 2024) - The Killeen City Council on Tuesday approved Kate McDaniel as executive director of Human Resources and Antonio Murphy as the executive director of Parks and Recreation.

Both candidates were present at Tuesday's Council meeting and councilmembers were able to meet and question/congratulate the candidates publicly.

McDaniel is currently the assistant director of Human Resources, with 18 years of Human Resources experience. She's been employed with the City of Killeen for 15 years. She's worked as the Risk Manager, assisted with creating and implementing several projects, systems and programs and is currently the Americans with Disabilities Act liaison. She received her Bachelor's degree in Business Management from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois.

"The City of Killeen offered me my first job when I moved here and it's felt like home ever since," McDaniel said.

There were 111 applications, narrowed down to three finalists. McDaniel begins on Oct. 4, 2024 following the October 2024 retirement of Eva Bark.

City Manager, Kent Cagle, selected Antonio Murphy as the next executive director of Parks and Recreation. Murphy has 20 years of Parks and Recreation experience in areas including Chester, South Carolina, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Gastonia, North Carolina, Baltimore, Maryland and Chatham County, Georgia.

Murphy brings a proven ability to provide operational direction, implement strategic planning and encompasses a solid understanding of financial operations and fiscal responsibility. He is experienced in hands-on recruitment and leading outreach initiatives, as well as building strong community partnerships and participating in city-wide agency collaborations.

"I want to thank the executive management team for the endorsement of my skillset to be able to come and lead such a vibrant, growing entity with many roles of success," Murphy said during the meeting.

There were more than 100 applications submitted and three finalists interviewed for this position.

Murphy received his Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina and will begin on Sept. 23, 2024.