Eight Questions
With Richard Koontz, McKinley County Manager
By Fowler Roberts
Q. Richard, what got you interested in applying for the County Manager position?
A. I’ve lived in Gallup for the last sixteen years and I’ve gotten to know the City and County environment and I feel I have job skills and abilities that would be really helpful to the Navajo people and the people of Gallup and everybody here.
Q. Although you are new to your job, what have you enjoyed about the job so far?
A. I’ve been busy – eight to five and beyond. There’s a lot of challenges here to test my abilities. I don’t mind challenges; I like to take on new things.
Q. What do you see as the biggest challenge of your job?
A. I’ve only been on the job four days so basically just learning the government structure and everything that management of the County entails.
Q. What do you hope to accomplish in terms of relationships between McKinley County, the City of Gallup and the Navajo Nation?
A. Number one, I’d like to see lines of communication open. I’d like to see coordination on comprehensive planning. I’d like to see joint efforts on the issues that are common to all three entities: land issue, community development and coordination of infrastructure like roads and waterlines.
Q. What are your top priorities as the new County Manager?
A. In the interview process, the Commissioners let me know what they feel the priorities are. Number one is to get the County a little better organized. Also to make sure we have adequate staffing in key positions. We want to make sure to get qualified people. We also want to be customer service oriented. Those seem to be the priorities that were laid out for me.
Q. What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
A. Mainly, I just like to spend time with my family. My wife and I like to take walks. I like to run. I like to be outside – out in the forest just for leisure purposes.
Q. What is your favorite music?
A. Basically, I like Christian music, contemporary and alternative rock. I like the group Third Day. Their music is based on the Bible but they make it culturally relevant to this day and age. We always think of Christian music as old organ grinding hymns, but groups like Third Day appeal to the public and I like that.
Q. If you could trade places with one famous person, either living or dead, who would it be and why?
A. I’m a boxing enthusiast so I guess someone like Mohammad Ali or Evander Holyfield who were great boxers and had great talent. They showed what they could do with the skills that God gave them and I like that.
