The City Council has selected John Conley as Vista’s next City Manager, effective March 8, 2023. Conley, who has worked for the City of Vista for 25 years, most recently as Community Development and Engineering Director, assumes his new role from Acting City Manager Amanda Lee, who has served in that capacity since October 25, 2022. Lee will return to her previous role as Assistant City Manager.
“I am extremely pleased to announce the hiring of John Conley as our new City Manager,” stated Mayor John Franklin. “John is a resident of Vista and an employee of the City for 25 years. John is known throughout our community as an honest broker and a hard-working public servant. The community already has great confidence in him, which is why he was selected as our next City Manager, who serves as the City’s Chief Executive Officer.”
“I want to express my sincere appreciation to the staff, the City Council, and the community for the support I’ve received throughout this process,” stated Conley. “I am looking forward to this incredible opportunity of serving Vista as City Manager and embracing the challenges that lie ahead.”
For the City of Vista, Conley has worked as the Community Development Director since 2007 and, in 2012, also assumed responsibility for Engineering. Conley has been responsible for managing the Community Development and Engineering Departments, including overseeing the review and approval of all private and public development projects within the City. Conley’s management responsibilities include building, planning, development services, private development and capital projects inspection, project design, transportation, stormwater, and sewer divisions. Some of the most significant projects Conley has helped to oversee include the development of the Paseo Santa Fe corridor, the redevelopment of Vista Village, the construction of Vista’s two skateparks, and all the projects that were part of Proposition L funding, including the Civic Center, the Moonlight Amphitheatre, and several public safety facilities including fire stations. His experience working with multiple teams in the City includes coordination with internal departments and external clients, oversight of the Planning Commission, and direct interaction with the City Council and previous City Managers.
Conley’s entire service career at the City of Vista has been in the Community Development Department, where he previously served as City Planner, Principal Environmental Planner, Principal Planner, and Environmental Planner.
Conley holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography and a Master of Arts degree in Urban Planning, both from San Diego State University. He resides in Vista with his wife and their children.