City council made the promotion official during an Oct. 26 special meeting. He succeeds Jane Bais DiSessa, who resigned  Oct. 11.

“We are thrilled to have Michael Martinez as our new city manager,” said Mayor Gregory Mills in a press statement. “City council and I have had the pleasure of working with Michael in his previous roles at the city and are confident that his years of experience and commitment to Brighton will help propel the city in the years to come.”

The press statement said Martinez will be responsible for daily city operations, prepare recommendations for council consideration and implement policy direction approved by city council. 

“I’m honored to have this opportunity to serve the community as Brighton's new city manager,” said Martinez in the statement. “Having worked for the city for a while now, I’ve seen first-hand the strengths and potential of this growing city. It’s a true honor to take on this new role and help lead Brighton in the years to come.”

Martinez was assistant city manager of economic development and communications and Engagement. Additionally, Martinez oversaw the Brighton Urban Renewal Authority on behalf of the city and served as its executive director. He joined city staff in March 2015 as economic development specialist for the Brighton Economic Development Corp. and was promoted to assistant economic development director in September 2015.

Six months later, he was the economic development director. The statement said Martinez has more than 15 years of local government experience, working in a variety of roles with the city of Brighton and the City and County of Denver.

Martinez earned his bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Colorado-Denver and a master’s degree in political science from the University of Colorado at Denver’s Center for New Directions in Politics and Public Policy.