University City’s government is preparing for a leadership transition with the appointment of Brooke A. Sharp, Esq. as interim City Manager effective February 6, 2026. The decision follows the announced retirement of long-serving City Manager Gregory Rose, who is stepping down at the start of next year.
Sharp currently serves as Deputy City Manager, a position she has held since 2022. In that role, she has been deeply involved in the city’s administrative operations, helping oversee departmental work, strategic initiatives, community programs, and key development projects. Her background includes legal training and municipal administration experience that city leaders say will help maintain continuity in governance through the transition.
City officials have emphasized the importance of a smooth handoff as University City begins a formal search for its next permanent City Manager. The City Council has retained MGT Consulting Group, a national executive search firm, to conduct a comprehensive recruitment process. Details about the timeline and opportunities for community involvement in the search will be released in the coming weeks.
Sharp’s appointment comes at a moment of renewed focus on operational stability in University City. As Deputy City Manager, she stepped into a leadership position following a period of administrative shifts, and her familiarity with the city’s priorities positions her to guide daily operations while the council and consultant work to identify a long-term leader.
Her legal education and public administration credentials add depth to her qualifications. Sharp earned her law degree from St. Louis University School of Law and holds a Master’s in Public Affairs from the University of Missouri–Columbia, along with an undergraduate degree in psychology. She is active in professional networks and municipal management associations, reflecting both her legal background and commitment to local government excellence.
Sharp also brings prior city government experience to her new role. Before joining University City, she held administrative positions in other Missouri communities, contributing to a range of public sector responsibilities from governance to community service delivery.
With Rose’s upcoming retirement, residents and city staff alike will look to Sharp to ensure operations remain steady and focused on ongoing priorities, including infrastructure projects, community development efforts, and resident services. The council’s choice underscores their confidence in internal leadership while the broader search unfolds.
The national recruitment effort aims to tap a wide pool of candidates, combining external perspectives with an understanding of University City’s unique needs. How that process unfolds will shape the city’s leadership for years to come.
