Trackdown Management’s City Manager Newsletter: Volume No. 19: Issue No. 15
For over 15 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.
Picking up the Pieces
Former Anaheim (2011-2013) City Manager Bob Wingenroth, currently the city manager for the City of Surprise, Arizona, is returning to California to be the next city manager for the city of Laguna Hills. Bob earned a BS in accounting and an MBA from Arizona State University.
Jennifer Ott is scheduled to be appointed to be the next city manager for the City of Hayward. Jennifer joined the Hayward city staff in September 2018 as deputy city manager, and she was promoted to assistant city manager. In 2022, she left Hayward to serve as the Alameda city manager. She will become Hayward city manager on December 8. Jennifer earned a BA in History and Spanish from the University of California, Davis and an MPP from the University of California, Berkeley.
Members of the Oakley city council have addressed allegations that Council Member George Fuller, who is accused of “bullying and retaliatory actions” against members of the city staff. An independent third-party investigation into the accusations was conducted. Josh McMurray was appointed Oakley city manager in November 2021. Assistant City Manager Danielle Navarro underlined that city staff would not comment on the matter.
Former Lodi City Administrator Jerry Glenn passed away last month at his Long Beach home. Jerry joined the Lodi city staff in 1973 to serve as assistant city manager, a position he held for 22 years before he was appointed Galt city manager (1996-1999). Jerry served in the U.S. Navy and graduated from the U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. Jerry was 90 years old when he suffered a stroke on September 12.
Steven Ramos was appointed general manager for the McCloud Community Services District (CSD) in October 2024. He works with a staff that includes, among others, Sherry Smith, finance officer; Eli Jones, public works superintendent; and Rachel Mattson, district secretary.
Steve Pinkerton is the city manager for the City of Mountain House in the San Joaquin County. Mountain House was incorporated in July 2024. In November 1994, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors officially approved the community of Mountain House, and in 1996 the community’s master plan was approved. Mountain View is on the foothills of Diablo Range and close to the Altamont Pass. Mountain House is Steve’s third city manager job. He previously worked as city manager for the cities of Davis (2011-2014) and Manteca (2008-2011).
Due in part by its small population of just 208 residents, Vernon is the most burglarized city in California. In 2023, the city reported 110 burglaries, meaning that more than half of its residents were affected by a burglary. Statistically, the city had a burglary rate of 52.88 per 100 people. The next closest city on the list is Sauget, Illinois with a burglary rate of 7.58 per 100 people. Brian Saeki is the Vernon city administrator. Brian previously worked for the Cities of Whittier, Covina and San Fernando.
Former Petaluma City Manager John Scharer passed away on September 7 at the age of 90. John was the Petaluma city manager from 1981 through 1996. He was born, John Louis Scharer, on December 29, 1934, in Susanville. He grew up in Healdsburg. He served in the United States Air Force for four years starting in 1953. He was a radio operator in Germany during that service. John earned an AA from Santa Rosa Junior College and a BS from Golden Gate University. He joined the Petaluma city staff in 1961 as an accountant in the Water Department. John was a sports fan and enjoyed cheering on the Giants, Warriors and 49ers.
Lodi city council members and City Manager Scott R. Carney have parted ways. Scott was put on administrative leave in April and the Council is pursuing termination action. Scott was hired to serve as city manager in Lodi in June 2024. He previously worked as a deputy director for administration with the California Department of Health Care Services (July 2021 – June 2024). Scott publicly alleged widespread misuse of city funds and he accused city staff of misconduct. Scott earned a BA from the University of California, Davis, a Master of Social Welfare, Management and Planning from the University of California, Berkeley. Scott also earned a Doctor of Education from the University of the Pacific. James Lindsay has worked as acting city manager since May 2025.
Kristin Aguila is the new senior assistant city manager for the City of Cerritos. She will be working with City Manager Robert A. Lopez. Kristin joined the Cerritos city staff in 2005 as a planning intern. She worked her way up and was appointed director of community development in January 2022. Kristin earned a BS from California State Polytechnic University and an MPA from California State University, Fullerton.
Concord City Manager Valerie Barone will retire at the end of the fiscal year. She has served more than three decades for public service. Valerie served as a community development specialist for the U.S. Peace Corps in Nagpana, Panay Island, Philippines in May 1987 to October 1989. She joined the city of Milpitas staff in July 1995, where she worked as the planning, recreation & neighborhood services director. In June 2002, she began her tenure as the community development director for the City of Walnut Creek. Valerie was hired to be the Concord city manager starting in February 2012 in an “interim” capacity, and she became city manager two months later. Valerie earned a BS from California State University, Humboldt and a Masters, Business Administration and Management from California State University, Sacramento.
Rancho Santa Margarita, incorporated in January 2000, where Jennifer M. Cervantez is city manager. Jennifer was appointed city manager in May 2012 and started her new job on July 9. She replaced retiring City Manager Steve Hayman. Prior to joining Rancho Santa Margarita, Jennifer worked as the assistant city manager for the City of La Habra. She also previously worked with Santa Ana and the League of California Cities staff. Jennifer graduated from Santa Ana High School, and she earned a BA from California State University, Long Beach and an MPP from Claremont University. She is married and has two daughters.
Officials of the City of Fullerton filed a complaint with the California Attorney General’s Office, raising serious concerns about possible anti-competitive practices in the fire apparatus manufacturing industry. The complaint centers on escalating prices, extended delivery timelines, and restrictive contract terms. Fullerton reports experiencing unprecedented price increases of up to 75% for pumper engines over the past decade and more than 40% for aerial trucks in just the past few years. Additionally, delivery timelines now exceed four years, requiring cities to rely on aging vehicles beyond national safety standards. Kim Chaudhry is the senior administrative officer analyst familiar with the issues.
Shorts:
- California Contract Cities Association past President Steve Tye, a Council Member and former mayor in Diamond Bar, is a public administration alumnus of California State University, Dominguez Hills.
- Laura Cochrane is the executive director of the Southern Humboldt Community Park, a 462 acre park located in Garberville.
- Oakland Chief of Police Floyd Mitchell has resigned from his position effective December 5, 2025.
- Highly regarded Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang, a former mayor in West Hollywood and assistant city manager for Pico Rivera, is a candidate for re-election.
- Nicole Coburn, who has been the assistant county executive since 2016, has been named county executive for the County of Santa Cruz.
- Happy Camp is an unincorporated town at “The Heart of the Klamath” in Siskiyou County.
- Concord City Manager Valerie Barone was awarded the final $5,000 Harvard Kennedy School scholarship by the California City Management Foundation (CCMF) in 2017-2018.
- Cerritos City Manager Robert A. Lopez, who earned a BS in civil engineering from Stanford University and an MPA from the University of Southern California (USC), joined the Cerritos city staff as a full-time planning assistant in February 2002.
- Officials of the California cities of Newport Beach and Huntington Beach have voted to leave the League of California Cities over Proposition 1 support.
- Former Lakewood city staff member Theresa (Battaglia-Gutierrez) Teney, who also worked for the city of Bellflower, lives in Big Bear Lake.