MSG Expands its Planning Group with New Hire

The Mannik & Smith Group, Inc. (MSG) is pleased to announce the hiring of Royce R. Maniko, AICP. He will take the position of Community Planner / Project Manager in the Monroe, Michigan Office. Royce retired in 2012, as the County Administrator for Monroe where he also served as the County Planning Director for 31 years. In his new role at MSG, he will join the Planning Group as a principal planner expanding the group's role and expertise in community and recreation planning and add to the firm's extensive transportation planning, grant writing and municipal planning services portfolio.

Prior to joining Monroe County, Royce was employed by the Oakland County Planning Commission as Manager of the "Partners-in-Planning" program. He also served as a Regional Planner with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) and the Detroit Metropolitan Area Transportation and Land Use Study.

Royce has served as Adjunct Professor at the University of Toledo and as a Guest Lecturer at Michigan State University. He has presented papers for the Northeast Parks and Recreation Executive Association and the National Conference for Geographic Education. He is a former member of the State Board for Allocation of Coastal Management Grants and the State of Michigan Emergency Preparedness Advisory Council.

Presently, Royce serves as a delegate to the Executive Committee of the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) and SEMCOG. He also sits, as the longest serving member, on the seven-member Board of Directors for the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), representing Monroe County. He was named County Employee of the Year by the Michigan Association of Counties and received the SEMCOG Regional Ambassador Award for Dedicated Leadership and Service in Michigan.

Royce is a graduate of Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Geology. He received his Master of Arts degree in Biogeography and has completed his coursework for his Master's Degree in Public Administration. He married Rose Ann, they have two children (Jack and Christina) and four grandchildren. He has a passion for soccer, hockey and has volunteered as a coach.