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 Jackson, California City Manager Michael S. Daly began his public management career in the City of Manhattan Beach in 1982 as an Administrative Intern. He was hired as a Manhattan Beach Administrative Aide in 1983, beginning his rise in that organization: Administrative Analyst, 1984-1991; Administrative Services Manager, 1991-1994; and Administrative Services Director, 1994-1995. In 1995 Mike was appointed City Manager in Rio Dell, where he served until being hired to serve as City Manager in Jackson in 1999. Mike retire this year in April (2017).

Renowned public art sculptor James T. Russell passed away unexpectedly on May 21, 2017 at his family residence in the mountains outside Sacramento. James was also a resident of Lomita. He created more than 150 commissioned works of public art over five decades and taught at South High School, El Camino College and at California State University, Long Beach. He was 78-years old.

Laguna Niguel City Manager Rod Foster has taken the Chief of Parish Operations position with St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Dana Point. His last day with the city is Monday, July 24. Rod came to Laguna Niguel as City Manager in February, 2013. He previously served as the City Manager in Colton. Rod earned a BA and Masters degree at the University of La Verne.

Byron G. Wilson served as the City Manager in Fairfield from 1956 until he retired in 1988. Prior to that he worked as the Assistant City Manager in Buena Park starting in 1954. Byron earned a BA from Brigham Young University. He received the ICMA Outstanding Management Innovator Award in 1979, and the ICMA Distinguished Service Award in 1988. In 1985 Byron received a 30-year ICMA Service Award.

Richard “Rick” Kirkwood served as the Pismo Beach City Administrator between 1988 and 1994. After serving as City Manager in Bothell, Washington, Rick returned to California to be the Woodland City Manager from 1999 until his retirement in 2007. Rick received a 30-year ICMA Service Award in 2007.

George Gabriel joined the Manhattan Beach city staff as a Management Analyst in November, 2016. Prior to that George worked in the City of Malibu as a Media and Technology Technician from July, 2014 until October, 2016; and he started in June, 2013 in Malibu as a Graduate Student Intern. He earned an MPP from Pepperdine University.

George A. Caravalho served as a City Manager from 1980 to 2004 in the cities of San Clemente (1980-1984), Bakersfield (1984-1988); Santa Clarita (1988-2002); and Riverside (2002-2004). From 2005 to 2007, George served as the Director of the Dana Point Harbor Department in Orange County.