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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Retired Vista City Manager and Past President of CCMF,Rita Geldert, who served as theExecutive Director of the California City Management Foundation (CCMF) following her retirement, has been enduring a long line of serious medical procedure and still has a way to go. She is currently at home, but requires 24-hour medical care for the time being, though she is slowly improving. She anticipates her final major medical procedure next month or sometime in October. Her husband Dale Geldert, retired CDF Director, reports that Rita’s spirit remains upbeat and positive. She has had several serious operations over the past 10 months and still perseveres. Our prayers and best wishes go out to Rita, Dale and their family and friends.

Dan Berman is the new City Manager in Trinidad, California. Dan has worked in coastal watershed management for the past 13-years, and served as the Director of the Morro Bay National Estuary Program, and as the Director of Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District. Dan is a native of Trinidad. He will replace City Manager Karen Suiker, who is retiring.

Patterson City Manager Rod Butler‘s last day at Patterson City Hall is August 31, as he has been appointed City Manager in his hometown of Upland. Ken Irwin, Patterson Director of Engineering, Building and Capital Projects, has been appointed to take over for Rod as Interim City Manager. Ken joined the Patterson staff in 2012 after working 23-years for a private engineering firm.

Livermore Assistant City Manager Troy Brown is the new Tracy City Manager. Troy joined the Livermore staff in 2009 after working in Santa Clarita, Riverside and Elk Grove. Troy is currently serving as a Regional Vice President on the ICMA Executive Board. He served on the Cal-ICMA Board from 2008 to 2011. Troy is a former Vice President of the Municipal Management Association of Southern California (MMASC) (2004-2005).

South Gate Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Bryan Cook has been appointed to serve as the new City Manager in Temple City. Bryan takes over from Interim City Manager Don Penman, retired Arcadia City Manager. Bryan earned a BA from California State University, Los Angeles, and an MPA from California State University, East Bay.

Lincoln City Manager Jim Estep will be the new President and CEO for Crossroads Diversified Services, a Sacramento-based employment and placement nonprofit organization. He will replace David DeLeonardis, who is retiring after nearly 35-years of service. Jim has served as the Lincoln City Manager for the past 6-years. Prior to that he was Assistant City Manager in Folsom, and Public Services Director in San Ramon.

Pismo Beach City Manager Jim Lewis is active at his alma mater, the University of Southern California (USC). He has served on the Board of Governors of the USC Alumni Association, the advisory Board of the Masters of Public Administration degree program, and currently serves as the Chair of the annual fund council for the Price School of Public Policy. Before joining the Pismo Beach staff, Jim served as the Assistant City Manager in Atascadero and prior to that Assistant to the City Manager in Claremont. Jim as an MMASC Past President (2001).

City Manager Jim Box of Stanton earned a BA from the University of La Verne, and an MPA from California State University, Long Beach. Jim served as the Stanton Assistant City Manager from 2010 to 2012 when he was appointed to the top spot. Cotati City Manager Dianne Thompson has announced that she will resign her position by the end of the year. Dianne has served as the Cotati City Manager since 2007. She said that she will pursue other opportunities. Dianne expects to assist the City in finding a new City Manager.

Retired U.S. Army Colonel David W. Buckingham, 49, has been appointed City Manager in Morro Bay. David served more than 25-years in the Army. He will be relocating to the

Central Coast from Washington, D.C. Originally from Pennsylvania, he earned a BS in engineering from Pennsylvania State University; a Master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island; and a master’s degree in International Relations from Cambridge University. He takes over from Interim City Manager Ed Kreins, who took the post following the resignation of City Manager Andrea Lueker.

Former La Cañada Flintridge Public Works Assistant and Carlsbad Management Analyst Mindy Jacobs, who worked for Moreland & Associates and IntelliBridge Partners, recently celebrated her first anniversary with First Team Real Estate in Irvine.

Palmdale City Manager Dave Childs, a former ICMA President, applauds the recognition of former Dayton Beach, Florida City Manager Howard D. “Tip” Tipton as the recipient of the Florida League of Cities’ inaugural Raymond C. Sittig Distinguished Public Service Award. “Tip” served as the Daytona Beach City Manager from 1978 to 1994. He went to Florida in 1978. He began his career as an Administrative Assistant in Duarte in 1959, and he served as the Assistant to the City Manager in Glendora in 1961, and became the Glendora City Manager in 1962 at the age of 23.

Port Hueneme City Manager Cynthia Haas has celebrated her first full year with the city. The former Carlsbad Deputy City Manager, joined the Port Hueneme staff in August, 2013. Cynthia earned a BA and MPA from California State University, San Diego. She is a Poway High School graduate. Cynthia is a Licensed Real Estate Broker. She began her city government career in Carlsbad in 1988 as an Analyst; worked as the Manager of the City’s Economic Development & Real Estate Department; and served as Deputy City Manager for a little more than 5-years.

Sonoma City Manager Carol E. Giovanatto served as the Assistant City Manager in Cloverdale prior to joining the Sonoma staff in 2001 as the ACM. In 2010 Carol received a 35-year ICMA Service Award.

County of Humboldt Administrative Officer Phillip Smith-Hanes joined the county staff as the Assistant County Administrative Officer in August, 2007. He was appointed County Administrative Officer in December, 2009. Phil began his first California position as a Management Analyst in the City of San Bruno in August, 2000.

Former Orange County CEO and Whittier City Manager Tom Mauk hasserved as the Director of Business Development for Onward Engineering for the past two years; starting in August, 2012. Tom earned an MPA at the University of Southern California (USC).

Retired Pico Rivera City Manager Dennis Courtemarche and his wife Kathy Courtemarche were recently spotted in Central Park in New York City.

Michael Ramsey was a Los Gatos Police Officer from 1972 to 1975, and then he served as a Visalia Police Officer from 1975 to 1977. Mike worked in various position with the Visalia city organization and left there as the Assistant Executive Director for Redevelopment in 1996 when he was appointed City Manager in Antioch. After a half dozen years in Antioch, Mike took the Pleasant Hill City Manager post in 2002 and left there in 2006. In 2006 he received a 30-year ICMA Service Award.