New leadership is taking shape in the City of Marion’s Building & Grounds Department this week.
Robby Cassidy filled the maintenance position on Monday, June 19th, shortly after longtime manager Terry Kratzer retired after serving nearly 29 years. Cassidy was previously handling maintenance and landscaping duties for the City through the Parks Department.
Cassidy was born and raised in Marion, and graduated from Marion High School. He built his career from 2004 to 2012 working as a pipe welder for Kalenborn out of Wabash County, helping them meet their mission to provide piping systems to power plants throughout North America. He holds four certifications from the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology.
The first week on the job was learning the inner workings of the City Hall building with longtime Building & Grounds Assistant Manager, Robin Bain. Kratzer was also on hand this week showing Cassidy the ropes and offered to lend guidance in the future.
Mayor Jess Alumbaugh said Cassidy will be a great asset to the City. “We’re excited that Robby’s on board with the new role. He will have big shoes to fill after Kratzer’s long tenure, and it will take some time to adapt to everything under this umbrella.”
In addition to his new responsibilities at the 4‑story municipal building and its grounds, Cassidy will also be offering maintenance services at the Splash House on a case by case basis until further notice.
Cassidy is employed by Marion Community Schools’ Transportation Department as well, maintaining buses and driving students to and from activities when needed.
He is also the founder and former CEO of Guardians of the Children Marion Chapter, an organization educating the public about child abuse and creating a safer environment for abused and neglected children. Cassidy explained, “I have been living by a philosophy to be the force for good in the lives of many.” He encourages people to live by the same philosophy and get involved in their community.
