The Chino Hills City Council voted unanimously at the February 10 Council Meeting to appoint Rod Hill as the next City Manager. Mr. Hill has over 37 years of local government experience and has served as the Assistant City Manager since 2019. He will step into the role effective April 1, following the retirement announcement by City Manager Benjamin Montgomery, who is retiring on March 31 after 20 years of service to the City of Chino Hills, including the last seven years as City Manager.
As Assistant City Manager, Mr. Hill has been instrumental in managing some of the City’s most complex contracts, divisions, and initiatives. He has overseen the Code Enforcement, Community Relations, Emergency Management, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Solid Waste Divisions, as well as risk management.
A major area of his responsibilities included oversight of the City’s largest and most critical service contracts, including law enforcement services provided by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. He led negotiations on the new solid waste services contract and the City’s transition to a new waste hauler, ensuring continuity of service, regulatory compliance, and a smooth experience for residents and businesses. In addition, Mr. Hill managed contracts for animal care and control services and played a key leadership role in developing and implementing the City’s first homeless services contract.
“Rod brings deep institutional knowledge and decades of local government experience across multiple service areas to the City,” said Mayor Brian Johsz. “His leadership overseeing some of the City’s most high-profile contracts, including public safety, has helped maintain the high quality of life and safe community our residents expect. The City Council is confident he will continue to guide the organization with professionalism and fiscal discipline.”
Mr. Hill has a strong background in municipal finance and emergency management. He began his career in the Finance Department with the cities of Brea and Anaheim. He was then selected as Assistant Finance Director for the City of Redlands, where he oversaw information technology, risk management, accounting, and budget. In 2003, Mr. Hill was appointed as Director of Administrative Services for the City of Whittier, where he served for 17 years as Director of Finance and Human Resources, City Treasurer, and oversaw emergency management and animal control.
“I am honored to serve as City Manager and to continue working alongside the City Council, our community, and our dedicated employees,” said Rod Hill. “The City has a strong history of fiscal discipline and high-quality services, and I am committed to upholding that standard while ensuring we plan responsibly for the City’s long-term continued success.”
Mr. Hill has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of La Verne and a Master of Public Administration degree. His professional certificates also include Accounting for Government and Non-profit Organizations, and Emergency Management for Government and Public Sector.
Volunteerism and public service have been consistent themes throughout Mr. Hill’s career. He currently serves as a member of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department West Valley Search and Rescue Team, and has previously served as a Park Ranger (Reserve) in Orange County and as an Adjunct Instructor at the California Specialized Training Institute. Mr. Hill and his wife, Laurie, have lived in Chino for 35 years, and have three adult children and three grandchildren.