Trackdown ManagementTrackdown Management’s City Manager Newsletter: Volume No. 20: Issue No. 5

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

San Rafael City Manager Cristine Alilovich resigned in February 2026, two weeks after she was placed on paid leave. When the city placed her on leave, her duties and responsibilities were assigned to Finance Director Paul Navazio. The leave was enforced following a closed session performance evaluation. Cristine came to San Rafael as assistant city manager in 2015. She was promoted to city manager in 2023. She previously worked as assistant director of finance for Marin County.

A former Ouray, Colorado City Administrator, Silas Clarke is a new assistant city manager for the city of Pismo Beach. Silas also previously worked as city administrator and economic development director for Hickman, Nebraska. Silas will be working with Pismo Beach City Manager Jorge Garcia. Silas earned an AA degree from Northeast Community College, BA in psychology from Midland University and an MPA from the University of Nebraska, Omaha.

Shannon DeLong is the next city manager for the City of Cypress; the tenth city manager in Cypress city history. Shannon has served as the assistant city manager for the City of Whittier since June 2018. Prior to her work in Whittier, Shannon worked more than 10 years with the City of Downey. For a time, Shannon with the executive officer of the Gateway Water Management Authority. Shannon earned a BS in biology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and an MBA from California State University, Domiguez Hills.

California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA), Data and Underwriting Analyst Aaron Webb is celebrated his fifth anniversary that he reached in November 2025. He has a background in computer science and programming. Aaron came to the Authority in a temporary position that transitioned to a full-time position. Before coming to the Authority, Aaron worked nearly four years as a Senior Park Aide with California State Parks. He earned a BS in botany and plant biology from Reed College in Portland, Oregon.

California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA), Senior Risk Manager Abraham Han celebrated his 10th anniversary with the Authority in November 2025. Before joining the Authority staff in 2015, Abe worked for the cities of Villa Park, Garden Grove, and La Habra Heights. Abe earned a BA in economics from the University of Southern California (USC) and an MPA from California State University, San Bernardino.

Tiffany Allen is the next Chula Vista city manager. She will replace city manager Maria V. Kachadoorian on October 3. Maria is retiring after a public service career of nearly 40 years. Tiffany has worked for the city of Chula Vista during the past 24+ years. She was Deputy City Manager from 2023 to 2025. She started working for the city in January 2002 as a Development Services Technician. Tiffany earned a BS in political science from the University of Oregon and an MPA from Walden University.

Redding’s new city manager William S. Tarbox began his tenure on February 16. He previously served as the Public Works Director for the City of Concord. He also worked for the city of Benicia and the City and County of San Francisco. He earned a BS in civil engineering from the University of California, Davis and an MPA from California State University, East Bay.

Westminster City Manager Christine Cordon was awarded the 2025 Ethical Hero Award by the California Affiliate of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). The award was presented to Christine during the League of California Cities City Managers’ Department annual meeting on February 12 in Napa. Christine earned a BA in psychology from Chapman University.

José Arreola is the current city manager for the City of King City. Jose was selected in January 2026 to succeed Steve Adams, who retired. José officially began his King City tenure in February 2026. José previously served for 12 years with the City of Salinas. He previously served as an education specialist for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County. He currently serves as the Board President for the Millennium Charter High School. José earned a BS from San Jose State University.

Former East Bay Regional Parks General Manager Sabrina Landreth has filed a legal claim against the District. She is seeking damages for retaliation, gender-based harassment and discrimination. Sabrina is a member of the Board of Advisors for the University of California, Berkeley, Goldman School of Public Policy, and a Member of the Board of Trustees for the Oakland Museum of California. Sabrina served as the City Administrator for the City of Oakland from July 2015 to March 2020, and as the Emeryville city manager from June 2013 to July 2015.

Assistant City Manager Ryan Gohlich is the next Beverly Hills City Manager, effective July 4, 2026, succeeding retiring City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey. Ryan began his career in Beverly Hills in 2007 as an Assistant Planner and worked his way up in the Community Development Department. He earned a BS from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, and an MA in organizational leadership from Woodbury University.

Grass Valley City Manager Tim Kiser resigned recently to take the position of District Manager and Engineer for the West Valley Sanitation District in Santa Clara County effective March 23, 2026. Tim has been the Grass Valley city manager since September 2017. He has worked for Grass Valley for more than 20 years. He joined the city staff in 2005 as the Public Works Director. Tim earned a BS in civil engineering from California State University, Sacramento.

Banning has hired former Beaumont city manager Elizabeth M. Gibbs. She left Beaumont in September 2025 after working for the city 30 years. Elizabeth became city manager in July 2022. She was the Director of Community Services from July 2018 until her city manager appointment.

Shorts

  • John P. Thompson served as the Vacaville city manager for 17 years from 1984 to 2001.
  • CCMF Board Member Aaron Adams, Temecula city manager, is recognized and honored by CCMF as the 2026 City Manager of the Year.
  • Calistoga has appointed former Chief of Police Mitchell Celaya as Acting City Manager as the city recruits for a city manager to succeed City Manager Laura Snideman, who served in the position for less than three years when she resigned in September 2025 following a performance review.
  • Andrew “Andy” Firestine has been interviewed by KESQ for the first time since joining the Cathedral City staff.
  • Retired Walnut city manager Rob Wishner, who retired in February 2022 after nearly 16 years as city manager, is a past President of the San Gabriel Valley City Managers’ Association.
  • Davis Fire Chief Joe Tenney retires following a 38-years career in the fire service, and Paul Swanson is appointed to succeed Joe.
  • Carmen Chu is the highest-ranking non-elected executive in the San Francisco city/county government.
  • Azusa Pacific University graduate, Kristina A. Peralta, who worked for the City of San Diego for more than 10 years, says she is now a Freelance executive strategist focused on trust, collaboration and community impact by public sector leaders in San Diego.
  • Former Poway Assistant City Manager, Wendy Kaserman, who succeeded city manager Marlene Best as Santee city manager, took office in Santee on October 23, 2025.
  • Jaylen French, Escalon city manager since March 2024, previously worked in development and planning for the cities of Hughson, Modesto, Tracy and Escalon.
  • Leslie Caviglia, who was appointed city manager effective September 4, 2021, is the first female to hold the city manager position in the history of the city of Visalia.
  • ICMA Credentialed Manager Aram Chaparyan has served as the Torrance city manager since October 2020.
  • Congratulations to Grace Orosco, who has worked with SJCOG since 1995, for being named the San Joaquin Council of Governments’ (SJCOG) Deputy Director of Finance and Administration.
  • In November 2025, Johnny Ford was appointed to succeed Stockton Interim City Manager Steve Colangelo.
  • Kevin O’Rourke, who served as the Fairfield city manager from March 1997 until his retirement in September 2007, played a key role in creating the Fairfield Auto Mall along the I-80 corridor