The Fontana City Council met at a special meeting, today, September 21, 2021, and at that meeting appointed Shannon Yauchzee, retired Chief Executive Officer of the City of Baldwin Park, as the City of Fontana’s Interim City Manager. An agreement will be presented for approval at the next regular City Council meeting, September 28, 2021.
Mr. Yauchzee was the CEO/ City Manager for Baldwin Park for seven years. During his tenure, he assisted the Council in beautifying the City by transforming infrastructure, revitalizing streets and enhancing landscaping. He also increased the City’s emergency reserve funds by 33%, and built a team dedicated to customer service and streamlining the development processes.
Prior to Baldwin Park, Mr. Yauchzee served the City of West Covina for nearly 18 years. Under Yauchzee’s leadership as Public Works Director, West Covina became a leader in energy efficiency, saving the City millions of dollars in energy costs. He was also responsible for overseeing more than $100 million dollars in improvements to the City’s parks, streets, facilities, landscaping and infrastructure. Prior to West Covina, Mr. Yauchzee served almost eight years with the public-private partnership firm of Willdan Associates providing consulting services to various cities and counties.
Mr. Yauchzee is dedicated to providing excellent customer service, streamlining the development processes, and making local agencies more efficient and fiscally responsible.
Mr. Yauchzee attended Cal Poly University in Pomona where he obtained his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Civil Engineering, and met his wife, Lisa. He is a State registered Professional Civil Engineer in California and Arizona.
Mr. Yauchzee and his wife Lisa have been married for almost 31 years and have two daughters, Emily and Sarah. Emily is a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona University and Sarah graduated from the University of Laverne and is currently in a master’s program at UC Irvine.
Mr. Yauchzee, and his wife Lisa, moved to the City of Fontana two years ago after living in San Dimas for 30 years.
“As a Fontana resident I look forward to working alongside Council and staff as we enhance the quality of life here in Fontana,” said Yauchzee.
Mark Denny announced his resignation on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, ending a distinguished career in public service. Denny, Fontana City Manager since April 2020, accepted a position in the private sector closer to his home in San Clemente.
“Mark has accepted an offer too good to turn down. He started with Fontana in the midst of the pandemic and calmly led staff through an unprecedented time,” said Mayor Acquanetta Warren. “Mark will be sincerely missed. Please join me as we welcome Shannon Yauchzee our new Interim City Manager.”
The city manager position provides executive leadership to ensure the City Council’s goals and policies are implemented. The City Manager oversees all employees and the day-to-day operations.
The search for the next Fontana City Manager will begin immediately.