Trackdown Management’s City Manager newsletter: Volume No. 14, Issue No. 10
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.
Tracy City Manager Jenny Haruyama will be the first City Manager in Beaverton, Oregon under a new Charter approved by local voters. Previous to Tracy, Jenny served as the City Manager in Scotts Valley, She worked as the Assistant City Manager in Livermore before that. Jenny earned a BS from San Jose State University and an MPA from California State University, East Bay. She also completed the California Local Governance Summer Institute as Stanford University.
South Gate Administrative Services Director Jackie Acosta has accepted the appointment to the Finance Director position for the City of Union City. Jackie has worked with South Gate since January 2015. She previously worked for the City of Carson first as Director of Finance (1995-2000) and then as Director of Administrative Services (2000- 2014). Jackie served as the Acting City Manager in Carson from June 2013 to May 2014. She earned a BS in accounting from Loyola Marymount University and an MBA from California State University, Long Beach. Jackie said, “I’ve lived in SoCal my entire life, so this is a big move, but one I am looking forward to with great anticipation.” Jackie, a rabid Los Angeles Dodgers fan, said there is no chance she will change her allegiance to the San Francisco Giants.
Leslie Caviglia is the first woman City Manager is the City of Visalia. Leslie joined the city staff more than 20-years ago in administration. She is the first woman to be selected to the Visalia City Manager position in the City’s nearly 100-years history. Since 2013 Leslie has worked as the Assistant City Manager. Historically, Leslie has worked alongside five of the City’s 11-City Managers. She earned a BS in journalism from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Fairfax Town Manager Garret Toy will be the new Sonoma City Manager starting July 20. Garret has served as the Fairfax Town Manager since 2013. He completed previous work assignments in Marin County, City of Morgan Hill, and Stockton. He earned a BA and MPP from the University of California, Berkeley. Garret will take over from Interim Sonoma City Manager Dave Kiff.
Former South Gate City Manager Michael Flad is the new Assistant City Manager in the City of Jurupa Valley. City Manager Rod Butler brought Michael on board as the first Assistant City Manager in the City. Michael began his public service career with the City of Burbank in 1988. He served as the Burbank City Manager between 2008 and 2012. He was appointed South Gate City Manager in 2012 and served there until October 2020.
Retired City Manager Lauren Wasserman is a Member of the Board of the Ukulele Society of America (USA); a non-profit club in Southern California which meets at the Oceanside Broiler on Thursdays. There is always good ukulele music and some Hula lessons too. Lauren is a Lifetime Member of ICMA. He served as City Administrator in Montclair (1970-1978), and City Manager in Rancho Cucamonga (1978-1989) and Encinitas (1994-1999).
Maggie Le-Nguyen is the Deputy City Manager in the City of Fountain Valley. Maggie joined the Fountain Valley city staff in December 2015 as the Assistant to the City Manager. She began her public service career in November 2005 as a Management Analyst in Brea (2005-2010); Management Analyst in Buena Park and then in a similar post in Placentia (2010- 2015). After serving a short time in Chino as an Economic Development Manager, she came to Fountain Valley. Maggie earned a BA from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and an MPA from California State University, Fullerton.
David Wilson was unanimously approved as the next West Hollywood City Manager succeeding City Manager Paul Arevalo upon his retirement. David is the currently Assistant City Manager in the city. Previous to that he worked as the Director of Finance. He earned a BA from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master’s degree in Planning from the School of Policy, Planning and Development at the Unversity of Southern California (USC).
Amanda Lee has been promoted the Assistant City Manager in the City of Vista. Amanda joined the Vista city staff in 2013 as an Assistant City Clerk. She then worked in Redevelopment and Housing as a Management Analyst. In 2016 Amanda was named Housing Programs Manager, and she was promoted to Assistant to the City Manager in 2019. She will now fill the position left vacant when Aly Zimmermann left the city to take the City Manager position in the City of Rocklin. Amanda earned a BA and MPA from San Diego State University.
Retired veteran City Manager and professional model train collector, Richard D. Rowe sold his airplane and hanger, and now has to rent a plane when he gets the itch to fly. Richard is stll active as the Treasurer of the Southern California S Gaugers Club, a model trains group. He continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the Chino Valley YMCA, and as a Board member and past President of the Chino Kiwanis Club. Richard began is long public service career as an Anaheim Police Officer in 1965. He served as City Manager in La Palma (1981-1986); Needles (2000-2008, the first two years as Interim); and Barstow (2008-2011, the first year as Interim). He also served as Interim City Manager in Canyon Lake (2012-2013). Richard was also the Interim Library Director in Ventura (1997-1999) and Interim Community Development Director in Hemet (1999- 2000). Before his first City Manager assignment in La Palma he worked in Bakersfield and El Monte in addition to Anaheim.
Westminster City Manager Marwan Youssef appointed former State Assembly Member Tyler Diep as an independent contractor to help the City seek State and Federal grants and to provide advice on legislation that might affect the City. The former Assembly Member regrettably canceled the agreement with the City. He currently works part-time as a policy advisor to Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, and he holds a seat on the Midway City Sanitary District Board.
Retired Newport Beach City Manager David Kiff, who has been serving as the Interim City Manager in the City of Sonoma, and he worked as Interim City Manager for Healdsburg from July 2020 to January 2021, is the new Interim Executive Director of the Sonoma County Community Development Commission (CDC). Sonoma County Administrator Sheryl Bratton made the appointment. David is a past President of the Orange County City Managers’Association.
City of Industry City Manager Troy Herring will retire in August 2021. The City has selected City Engineer Josh Nelson to be his successor. Troy has served as City Manager for the past 3-years, and he has worked for the city more than 18-years. Troy came to the City in 2003 after working for the City of Signal Hill. Josh previously worked for CNC Engineering, starting with the company in 1999 as an intern.
Former Shafter City Manager Scott Hurlbert is the new City Manager in Wasco. He joined the Shafter city staff in 2005 and left Shafter in 2019. He became Deputy City Manager in 2014, and then Acting City Manager that year when City Manager John Guinn retired.
Former Laguna Beach Chief of Police Robert Thompson is returning to the Chief’s position in the City of Dixon, according to Dixon City Manager Jim Lindley. The Chief came to Laguna Beach in January of this year to replace retiring Chief Laura Farinella. Leaving only about 4-months into his Laguna Beach service, Captain Jeff Calvert will serve as the Laguna Beach Interim Police Chief.
Former Santa Rosa City Manager (2000-2009) Jeff Kolin, 68, who served most recently as the City Manager in Beverly Hills, has returned to Santa Rosa as the new Interim City Manager. City Manager Sean McGlynn who is leaving Santa Rosa after 6-years has accepted the City Manager position in the City of Escondido. According to The Press Democrat newspaper, Jeff has said that he is not a candidate for the full-time City Manager appointment. Jeff is a past President of the City Managers’ Department of the League of California Cities (2007-2008).
Former Laguna Beach Chief of Police Robert Thompson is returning to the Chief’s position in the City of Dixon, according to Dixon City Manager Jim Lindley. The Chief came to Laguna Beach in January of this year to replace retiring Chief Laura Farinella.
Leaving only about 4-months into his Laguna Beach service, Captain Jeff Calvert will serve as the Laguna Beach Interim Police Chief. Former Santa Rosa City Manager (2000-2009) Jeff Kolin, 68, who served most recently as the City Manager in Beverly Hills, has returned to Santa Rosa as the new Interim City Manager. City Manager Sean McGlynn who is leaving Santa Rosa after 6-years has accepted the City Manager position in the City of Escondido. According to The Press Democrat newspaper, Jeff has said that he is not a candidate for the full-time City Manager appointment. Jeff is a past President of the City Managers’ Department of the League of California Cities (2007-2008).
Retired Duarte City Manager Darrell George has joined the Kosmont Companies as a Senior Advisor. Darrell has worked for Santa Monica, Downey and Pomona, and he served as the Duarte City Manager for the past 16-years (2003- 2019). He retired from Duarte in December 2019. Darell earned a BS from the University of Massachusetts and a Master of Planning from the University of Southern California (USC). Darrell serves as the USC City/County Management Fellowship Chair. Kosmont Companies founder Larry Kosmont, a former City Manager, is a new Member of the Pepperdine University Graziadio Businness School Board.
Sierra Madre City Manager Gabe Engeland has announced his resignation. Gabe has served as the Sierra Madre City Manager for the last 4 ½ years. Gabe will be the new City Manager in the City of Los Altos where he will take over for Interim City Manager Brad Kilger. Brad came aboard following the resignation of City Manager Chris Jordan. Prior to coming to Sierra Madre Gabe with the City Manager in Trinidad, Colorado. Gabe earned an MPA from the University of Kansas.
Montebello City Manager Rene Bobadilla appeared to be on his way to the City Manager position in the City of Santa Monica. However, Montebello, fearing the loss of their City Manager, renegotiated Rene’s employment agreement giving him incentive to stay with the Montebello position. Rene came to Montebello in July 2019. Prior to that he served as the City Manager in Pico Rivera (2014-2018), Huntington Park (2012- 2014) and El Monte (2010-2012). He earned a BA from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Retired Huntington Park City Manager Gregory Korduner and his wife Karen were spotted last week visiting the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina.
*Retired City Manager Greg Larson is the new Interim City Manager in Cupertino.*Veteran City Manager Chris Jeffers, retired from the City of Glendora, is serving as the Interim City Manager in the City of South Gate.
*Brigham Young University MPA graduate Layne Long has been the City Manager in the City of Marina since April 2013.
*Bellflower High School graduate Lyndsie Buskirk, who earned a BS from California State University, Long Beach, has been a full-time Administrative Assistant with the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority since July 2019.
*Richard Hibbard was promoted in March to Chief of the Independent Assurance (IA) – North and Joint Training and Certification Program (JTCP) branch with the California Department of Transporation (DOT) in Sacramento.
*Retired Fremont City Manager Fred Diaz (2004-2018), previously served as the City Manager in Tracy (1994-2004) and Indio (1990-1994).
*Mary Reeves serves as the General Manager for the Big Bear City Community Services District. *Mark Miller is the Director of Public Services in the City of Lincoln.
*Former Sacramento (2011-2016) and Cincinnati (1993-2001) City Manager John Shirey is currently a Director for Golden Pacific Bank in Sacramento.
*Linda Troyan is the City Clerk Services Director for the City of Rancho Cucamonga.
*Former Jurupa Valley City Manager Stephen Harding is an Instructor at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of California, Riverside.
*Since January 2012 Jeff Stewart has served as the Bellflower City Manager following service as City Manager in Los Alamitos (2009-2012) and the City of El Segundo (2005-2008).
*Jarad Hildenbrand, Stanton City Manager since March 2019, previously served as City Manager in La Habra Heights (2016-2019) and Villa Park (2012-2016), and earned a BA from California State University, Fullerton, and an MPA from California State University, Long Beach. ***