Greg Byrne hails from the city of Fort Collins, Colo., and takes the post Feb. 1.

Of 46 executive job listings on the American Planner Association’s national website, the Bainbridge planning director was the only post for which Greg Byrne applied.

Good bet. Byrne bested a field of 33 hopefuls and was announced Tuesday as director of planning and community development for the City of Bainbridge Island.

“All of the applicants were technically qualified, but his style set him apart, as well as his common-sense approach to life,” said Mary Jo Briggs, city administrator. “He’s been there, done that.”

“Also, I liked his management style. He likes to ‘grow’ his people. He has developed a very professional department where he is. We have so much going on around here, the decision-making has to be spread around.”

Byrne comes to Bainbridge Island from his post as executive director of community planning and environmental services for the city of Fort Collins, Colo., where he was worked since 1991.

There, he has overseen four city departments – advance planning, neighborhood and building services, current planning and natural resources – and a staff of about 90.

Byrne managed the Tucson office of Reynolds Metal Development Company from 1988-91, and previously managed the community development division for the city of Eugene, Ore.

He holds a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Oregon, and an undergraduate degree in political science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute.

He also served as an intelligence officer in the United States Air Force, earning the rank of captain, and is a veteran of the Vietnam War.

Byrne cited his interest in the Bainbridge Island community’s “conversation” on growth and planning issues, as manifested in Winslow Tomorrow and other projects.

“I think Bainbridge Island is dealing with a lot of the key issues that are premier around the country,” he said Tuesday. “It’s got a lot of wonderful things going on with downtown planning, urban design, walkability and sustainabilty.”

Byrne said he also liked the area from his days as regional marketing director for Liberty Communications, introducing premium cable channel service to the Seattle market, and had enjoyed sailing on Puget Sound.

He takes the $117,000 per year post Feb. 1 and succeeds Jim Harris, who has served on an interim basis since the retirement of Larry Frazier last year.

Byrne said he would take the job in “learning mode” before proposing any changes to the sometimes beleaguered department.

He praised those on the Bainbridge planning staff with whom he spoke during the interview process last month.

“They were well spoken, well trained, professional and courteous, and I look forward to working with them,” Byrne said. “By and large, staff people work very hard and do their best to reflect the wishes of the City Council and the public sector.”