Jackson welcomes new leadership: Matt Winters to succeed long-serving city administrator James Roach

The City of Jackson will be welcoming a new city administrator after conducting a national search for the position since March in lieu of James Roach’s retirement.

Matt Winters has accepted the position and is scheduled to start work Monday, Sept. 23, in Jackson.

“I am honored and excited to join the City of Jackson’s team and be a part of this vibrant and growing community,” Winters said in the news release. “I am eager to get to know our new neighbors and find ways to continue to build up on the good work the Mayor, Board of Aldermen, and Jim Roach have done over the years. I believe the city has a great future and a dynamic team of departments to ensure its success.”

Winters has resigned from his current position as Poplar Bluff city manager, which he held since March 2022. Winters began his career with the city of Poplar Bluff as city planner in 2018 and was promoted to city manager in 2020. His resignation was accepted Monday, Aug. 5 by the City Council, officials said Tuesday morning, according to Daily American Republic in Poplar Bluff.

The matter was discussed Monday during the closed City Council session in Poplar Bluff, with a motion made by Councilman Robert Smith, seconded by Councilman Billy DePew and carried unanimously to accept the resignation effective Friday, Sept. 20.

Winters will take over the role of Jackson city administrator from Roach, who announced his plans to retire Feb. 9.

Roach had worked 27 years with the city of Jackson. He began his career in 1997 as director of Public Works. Then, four years later, moved into his current position of city administrator.

The City of Jackson Board of Aldermen formally approved Mr. Winters’ appointment to the city administrator position at its closed session Monday.

“I was very pleased to appoint Matt as the new city administrator; his vast municipal experience and roots in Southeast Missouri make him the perfect choice for Jackson,” Mayor Dwain Hahs said.

Winters has experience in municipal administration and planning, according to the news release from the City of Jackson. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southeast Missouri State University.

“My wife of 28 years, Becky, and I resided in Jackson from 1996 until 2000 when we relocated to Poplar Bluff. We are both graduates of Southeast Missouri State University and grew up in Southeast Missouri where our extended families still reside. We have two children and our baby Chloe (dachshund). Madelyn teaches third grade in Poplar Bluff and has a daughter, Elizabeth. Jackson has been working in the Missouri Senate for the last three years and has recently moved from Columbia, MO to Memphis, where he will be attending law school. We are very active in our community and are excited about new opportunities in Jackson,” Winters said in the news release.