Trackdown Management’s City Manager Newsletter: Volume No. 13, Issue No. 16
For over 13 years, Jack Simpson’s Trackdown Management has published the City Manager Newsletter. Jack is a retired city manager and former Willdan executive. His newsletter content weaves together the personal side of the profession in California and helps keep the city manager community, especially retired city managers, connected with each other.
Whitney McDonald, the Arroyo Grande Community Development Director since February, has been selected to serve as the next Arroyo Grande City Manager. Whitney previously worked in the San Luis Obispo County Counsel’s Office. She is an attorney who specialized in land use and zoning law. Former City Manager Jim Bergman resigned. Public Works Director Bill Robeson has served as Interim City Manager. After leaving the county in 2016, Whitney was a Senior Attorney with Richards Watson and Gershon (August 2016- February 2020), where she also worked prior to her county service (August 2007-November, 2010). Whitney earned a BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law (UCLA).
Former Fairfield City Manager Byron Gale Wilson died September 1, 2020 in his Auburn home at the age of 91. Gale served as the Fairfield City Manager for 32-years, from 1956 to 1988. The city grew in population from 15,000 to close to 77,000 people during his service as City Manager. Gale was born in Utah in July 1929. He became the Fairfield City Manager at age 26.
Redding City Manager Barry Tippin appointed Jerrod Vanlandingham to be the new city Fire Chief. The new Chief has 25-years of experience with the City of Longmont, Colorado.
Loree Pryce is the new City Manager in Lakeside, Oregon. Loree previously worked in the Cities of Westlake Village, Ventura, and Santa Barbara. She was also a Project Engineer for the Casitas Water District. Loree earned a degree in environmental engineering from California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo.
Rocklin Chief of Police Chad Butler will serve as Interim City Manager, while a nationwide executive recruitment is conducted. City Manager Steve Rudolph retired effective September 21. [Cannot think of Rocklin without thinking of former longtime Rocklin City Manager Dr. Carlos A. Urrutia (1984-2010).]
Claremont Director of Human Services Anne Turner resigned effective September 15. Assistant City Manager Chris Paulson will serve as Interim Human Services Director. Anne joined the Claremont city staff in May 2014. She has served as an Adjunct Professor for the University of La Verne (2007-2014), and for the University of the West (2014-2016). She earned a BA from Pitzer College and an MA and DPA from the University of La Verne.
Willits City Manager Stephanie Garrabrant-Sierra announced the appointment of a new Willits Chief of Police. The new Chief served as a member of the San Diego Police Department for nearly 25-years. She also served on the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), and she was a Public Safety Lieutenant at the University of Southern California (USC). She earned BS in criminology and justice studies at California State University, San Marcos.
South Pasadena City Manager Stephanie DeWolfe has retired from her position as City Manager effective September 12. Fire Chief Paul Riddle is the Acting City Manager. Stephanie served as City Manager from November 2017. She previously worked for Pasadena and the City of West Hollywood, where she served as Deputy City Manager. She earned a BA in urban planning from Michigan State University, and a Master in real estate development from the University of Southern California (USC). She also earned a certificate in public relations for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Benicia City Manager Lorie Tinfow has submitted her resignation, and the Benicia Chief of Police, Erik Upson, will serve as the Acting City Manager until future action. Lorie served as City Manager from April 2017 and previously served as the City Manager in the City of Pacifica (2013-2017). She held executive positions in Saratoga, Pleasanton and Walnut Creek. Lori earned a BS in applied earth science from Stanford University and an MCRP in city and regional Planning from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
Antioch City Manager Ron Bernal announced that Rosanna Bayon Moore is the new Assistant City Manager in Antioch starting in late September. Rosanna has served as the Brawley City Manager for the past 9- years. She worked in Community Development prior to becoming City Manager in Brawley. She earned a BA from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MPA from Columbia University. Rosanna is also an alum of the Northern California Coro Fellows Program.
Dominique Samario is the new Public Information Officer in the City of Menifee. She worked for the City of Santa Barbara (2007-2012) as the City TV Producer & Reporter, and she also served as a Producer & Reporter for the County of Santa Barbara. She worked in several media positions prior to take an Administrative Analyst and PIO post in Santa Barbara. In December 2018 Dominique joined the Goleta staff as a Management Analyst, working there until joining Menifee. She earned a BA and MPA from the University of Southern California (USC), and a Professional Certificate in Marketing, Branding and Public Relations from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
San Luis Obispo Chief of Police Deanna Cantrell is leaving after 5-years on the job and accepting the Chief of Police position in the City of Fairfield. Her last day in San Luis Obispo is September 30, 2020. Deanna took the San Luis Obispo position in January 2016, after serving more than 21-years with the City of Mesa, Arizona. City Manager Derek Johnson said the City of San Luis Obispo will begin a national recruitment to fill Chief Cantrell’s position.
Healdsburg City Manager David Mickaelian, 52, resigned after 15-years with the City. After serving as City Manager for the past 6-years, he took the position of General Manager of the Tahoe Donner Association of Homeowners. David Kiff, the retired Newport Beach City Manager, is serving as Interim City Manager in Healdsburg.
Jaime Boscarino, Director of Finance for Thousand Oaks, lives with her husband and two children in Simi Valley.
Oakley Director of Finance Tim Przybyla is known to ride his dirt bike around the Mount Diablo foothills.
Former San Clemente City Manager James Makshanoff is considering filing a wrongful termination lawsuit against the city.
Former Ojai City Manager Rob Clark (2011-2016) previously worked as the Town Manager in Mammoth Lakes, and currently is a Labor & Employee Relations Manager for the County of Santa Barbara.
Mario A. Marquez, the older brother of former Hawaiian Gardens City Manager Ernesto Marquez, is the new American Legion National Director of Veteran Affairs and Rehabilitation.
Before Elaine Andersen was appointed Folsom City Manager, she worked for the City of Sacramento City Manager’s Office and Department of Public Works.
Retired Indian Wells and Atascadero City Manager, and past President of CCMF, Wade McKinney and his family were on the beach at Camp Pendleton this past month.
La Puente City Coucil Member Daniel C. Holloway unexpected and suddenly passed away earlier this month; condolences to his family, friends and the people of La Puente.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is among the Founders of PlumJack Winery in Oakville specializing in premium Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
Two former Rosemead City Managers Frank G. Tripepi and Bill Crowe were recently spotted together on a morning walk along the beach and pier at Huntington Beach.
Recently retired Weed City Manager Ron Stock is one of five candidates for two seats on the Weed City Council.