City Manager

City Manager Karie Friling

Karie Friling serves as City Manager for the City of Sarasota and brings more than 30 years of local government leadership experience. She is responsible for overseeing city operations, implementing the strategic direction of the City Commission, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality public services to the community.

Prior to joining Sarasota, Friling served as Executive Director of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Illinois, where she led a regional agency serving more than 950,000 residents. During her tenure, she oversaw implementation of the District’s Master Plan, including a $120 million capital financing strategy focused on environmental resilience, sustainability, and public access.

Friling previously served as Village Manager for Homer Glen, Illinois, where she helped guide one of the state’s youngest communities through continued growth and long-term planning initiatives. She also served as Assistant Village Manager and Development Services Director for Orland Park, Illinois, leading major redevelopment, infrastructure, and economic development projects, including a $250 million mixed-use downtown redevelopment initiative. She began her public service career with the City of Peoria, Illinois, focusing on economic development, planning, and grant administration.

Throughout her career, Friling has overseen more than $1 billion in capital and infrastructure investments and has extensive experience in organizational leadership, strategic planning, fiscal management, emergency management, and community engagement. She is trained in FEMA/NIMS emergency management protocols and has participated in regional response coordination related to severe weather and public safety incidents.

A Credentialed City Manager through the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Friling is known for her collaborative leadership style, commitment to transparent governance, and focus on building strong organizational culture and community partnerships.