Centralia City Manager Focuses on Growth and Progress

Written by Jamie Resch-Allen, Marketing Coordinator

The Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce chamber member lunch featured “Meet the City Manager” Galen Mahle at Tee Shots, the new restaurant located at Greenview Golf Course.

In January of 2025, Mahle took over the position of City Manager in Centralia. A Centralia native, Mahle attended Centralia High School, Kaskaskia College, SIUE, and Northern Illinois University. He received his Masters Degree from Northern Illinois University.

“I did all of these experiences with the hope that one of these days I’d get to return to Centralia and do anything I could to help with keeping growth and progress in the community,” stated Mahle. 

Mahle's work experience started at the Centralia Recreation Complex at the age of 14. Since then, he has had many jobs focusing on community programming, including Director for Campus Recreation at Northern Illinois University, Program Coordinator at the Centralia Recreation Department, Associate Director of O’Fallon Missouri YMCA, and most recently the Village Administrator in New Baden.

During an audience Q&A, Mahle answered questions about the city’s recreation programming and the new recreation director, where sports programming has already begun this year and more youth programs beginning in the fall. 

When asked about the open economic development director position, Mahle stated that it is a difficult position to fill, but they hope to find the best person for the position who can attract, retain, and help grow businesses in the community.

Adding to the message of business development, Marcus Holland, chamber executive director, noted that there are several upcoming new businesses to be excited about with Centralia House, Re-Purpose Development and the downtown winery, Colden Brewery, The Commonwealth and The Green Grill, Simplysoul, and many other businesses planning to open soon.