With all the comings and goings in California local government, it can be hard to keep track of where your friends are or what’s happening in your neighboring municipalities. But Trackdown Management helps keep the state up-to-date with their newsletter.

PublicCEO presents Jack Simpson’s Picking Up the Pieces.

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Kyle Knopp has been appointed to the City Manager post in the City of Rio Dell taking over for the retiring City Manager Jim Stretch. Kyle grew up in Eureka and earned a BA in political science as Humboldt State University, and an MPA from California State University, Sonoma. Kyle worked as an Intern for Congressman Mike Thompson, and then served as an Administrative Analyst in the Humboldt County Administrative Office. He later worked in the Mendocino County CEO’s Department, and rose to the Assistant Chief Executive Officer there.

Chuck J. Dalldorf, Communications Director and Senior Policy Consultant to State Senator Richard Roth, served as a Regional Public Affairs Manager for the League of California Cities between April, 2009 and June, 2010. Prior to that he served a year as a LCC Regional Representative. Between January, 1999 and December, 2008, Chuck served as the Chief of Staff to then-Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo. Chuck is also a part-time lecturer for the Department of Government at California State University, Sacramento.

Chico Interim City Manager Mark Orme has been formally appointed to serve as the Chico City Manager. He took the post in an interim roll once City Manager Brian Nakamura resigned to accept the Rancho Cordova City Manager job vacated by the retiring City Manager Ted Gaebler. Previous to joining the Chico staff as Assistant City Manager in April, 2013, Mark served as the Assistant City Manager in Hemet. Administrative Services Director Chris Constantin is serving as the Interim Assistant City Manager.

Santa Barbara City Manager Jim Armstrong has announced his retirement after 13-years in the position. Jim will step down at the end of September, 2014. Previous to joining the Santa Barbara staff Jim served as the City Manager in Fullerton and Hanford, and was also the Assistant City Manager in Anaheim with a career spanning some 37-years. He began his career as a Management Intern in Santa Ana in 1977.

Brentwood City Manager Paul Eldredge has accepted the appointment to serve as the General Manager of the Union Sanitary District in Union City. Paul has served as the Brentwood City Manager for the past 3-years, and was the Assistant City Manager for 14-years prior to that. He joined the Brentwood staff in 1997.

Fremont Assistant City Manager Mark Danaj has been recruited to serve as the City Manager in Manhattan Beach. FremontCity Manager Fred Diaz has enlisted an executive recruiter to help find Mark’s replacement. Mark served as an Assistant County Manager in Lake County, Illinois, and came to California to accept a post with San Jose in 2003.

Twentynine Palms Interim City Manager Andy Takata is setting up a special public workshop meeting for the Twentynine PalmsCity Council and the Twentynine Palms Water District Board. Andy and Fire Chief Jim Thompson will participate at the meeting. Former 29 Palms City Manager Richard Warne has been appointed Interim City Manager in Calexico. Richard served as the Livingston City Manager prior to joining the 29 Palms staff. After leaving Twentynine Palms, Richard was one of the three finalist for the Kingman, Arizona City Manager position in 2013, but he withdrew from consideration.

Ken Bayless, retired District Manager for the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVCD), recently visited the continent of Africa. Ken and his wife Jackie visited Johannesburg, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. They took a safari in the Okavango Delta, Chobe, Hwange, and Kafue National Parks, and visited Victoria Falls. Ken also retired as a Chief with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Walnut Creek Assistant to the City Manager Matt Huffaker is a guest lecturer at San Jose State University. Matt earned a BES from the University of California, Berkeley, at BA in political science from Point Loma Nazarene University, and an MPA from California State University, East Bay. Matt previously served as an Intern in the Walnut Creek City Manager’s Office and as Business Manager for Walnut Creek.

During the time Mike Sedell served as Simi Valley City Manager, Actress Shailene Woodley was born there on November 15, 1991. She co-starred alongside actor George Clooney in the 2011 film “The Descendants.” She also starred in “Divergent,” and “Fault In Our Stars.” The 5 foot 8 inch actress attended classes at Simi Valley High School, and was diagnosed with scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine) in her freshman year and had to wear a back brace.