Orlando Hernandez and Michelle Sarkissian, currently serving as the acting Community Development Director and Chief Information Officer, have accepted permanent positions with the City of Menifee.
The City of Menifee is pleased to announce the hiring of two accomplished professionals to lead key departments within the organization. Orlando Hernandez has been appointed as Director of Community Development and Michelle Sarkissian will serve as chief information officer. Both individuals bring extensive experience and proven leadership to their respective roles, and their appointments mark a significant step in advancing the City’s key priorities.
“We are thrilled to welcome Orlando and Michelle to our executive team, as they have both proven to be effective leaders and have earned the trust and respect of their colleagues,” said City Manager Armando Villa. “Their expertise and vision will play a crucial role in driving progress, fostering innovation, and delivering high-quality services to our community.”
Hernandez has more than 25 years of experience in city planning, most recently serving as the City of Menifee’s acting Community Development Director. As Director, he will continue to oversee the City’s Planning and Building and Safety divisions. Hernandez has been with the City of Menifee since 2021 and has served as deputy director of community services and planning manager. He previously worked for the City of Fontana, where he last served as Planning Manager.
“I’m honored to be selected as Community Development Director and excited to continue working alongside our dedicated Community Development team,” said Hernandez. “I look forward to building on the City’s strong foundation, fostering thoughtful growth, and ensuring our city continues to thrive for years to come.”
Sarkissian brings over 11 years of progressive information technology leadership to the City of Menifee, including her previous leadership role as the City’s Information Technology Manager. In her new position as Chief Information Officer, Sarkissian will focus on advancing initiatives in technology preparedness, geographic information systems (GIS), and cybersecurity, while building upon the IT Department’s strong foundation of service and operational excellence.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the city’s commitment to innovation and efficiency as Chief Information Officer,” said Sarkissian. “Working closely with the talented individuals in our Information Technology Department, I look forward to strengthening our technology infrastructure and ensuring all of the City’s departments have the resources they need to stay on the cutting edge to better serve our community.”
Hernandez holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from California State University, San Bernardino, and a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning from Cal Poly Pomona. Sarkissian holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Engineering from the University of California, San Diego and in Information Technology from the University of Phoenix.
About Menifee:
Situated in the heart of southern Riverside County along Interstate 215, Menifee is a vibrant, new city of more than 100,000 residents who enjoy a pleasant year-round climate, abundant recreational offerings, reasonably priced housing, and convenient proximity to some of Southern California’s premier attractions and employment centers. Within its 50 square miles, Menifee’s business, retail, and entertainment outlets are starting to shape the community’s character and this growing economic base is also contributing favorably to the city’s strong financial position. Menifee’s growing family-oriented population values the city’s ongoing commitment to public safety, community events, and smart growth for the future. All of these elements are working together to support the city’s strategic vision to make Menifee one of the state’s most promising new cities.