The Federal Way city council announced they have selected Neal Beets as the new city manager, to start work on August 1st.

Until July 21, Beets is the city manager of Roseville, Minnesota. A city of nearly 34,000, it borders the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolis and is a commercial and retail hub of the northeast suburban area.

Home to more than 2,200 businesses, the city of Roseville has a budget of $33 million and a staff of 170.

Prior to assuming the city manager position in Roseville, Beets was a city attorney in Mesa, Arizona. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Arizona State University College of Law and graduated with a BA in political science from the University of Maryland.

Beets and his wife have four children, three of whom will enroll in Federal Way public schools. The fourth attends college.

"I'm thrilled at the opportunity and looking forward to relocating and starting work," said Beets via telephone last week.

"From the start, I'll be focusing on listening and learning from residents, city staff and community leaders. My priorities are economic development and customer service."