The Vallejo City Council announces the appointment of Harry Black as interim city manager, effective May 16, 2026, following action taken at its recent Council meeting.
Mr. Black brings more than three decades of executive leadership in local government, having served as city manager, chief administrative officer, and chief financial officer in several major U.S. cities. Over the course of his career, he has developed a reputation for thoughtful leadership in public financial management, strategic planning, economic and community development, and performance-based governance.
“Harry Black is a respected public sector leader whose experience and track record of results will serve Vallejo well,” said Mayor Andrea Sorce. “His background in financial stewardship, organizational leadership, economic development, and public safety coordination aligns with the City’s current priorities and long-term needs. The City Council is looking forward to working with Mr. Black in partnership with the community to move our City forward.”
Throughout his career, Mr. Black has guided a number of initiatives focused on strengthening fiscal sustainability and enhancing the effectiveness of municipal operations. As Chief Financial Officer for the City of Baltimore, he and his colleagues developed and implemented the City’s Ten-Year Financial Plan, a comprehensive framework for long-range fiscal planning that addressed a projected cumulative ten-year structural budget deficit of approximately $750 million. In Cincinnati, he led the City’s Capital Acceleration Plan, an effort that increased the pace of capital project delivery and improved the efficiency of project execution. In Richmond, Virginia, he advanced the “City of the Future” initiative, a broad community revitalization effort that supported investments in schools, community facilities, infrastructure improvements, and gateway enhancements. More recently, as City Manager of Stockton, California, Mr. Black oversaw a period marked by structurally balanced budgets, sustained operating surpluses, and consistent clean audit opinions.
Mr. Black has also overseen more than $5 billion in municipal bond transactions, contributing to improved financial positions and bond rating upgrades in multiple jurisdictions. He is a Senior Fellow with the Center for Digital Government and an Elected Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. He is also the author of Achieving Economic Development Success: Tools That Work, a practical guide for local governments, published by the International City/County Management Association.
Mr. Black holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from Virginia State University and a Master of Arts in Public Administration from the University of Virginia. In recognition of his contributions to public service, he has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Virginia State University.
Mr. Black has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards, which include the Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award (Cincinnati, Ohio Boy Scouts of America)/San Joaquin County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Advocate of the Year/Stockton NAACP Freedom Fighter Award/Community Medical Centers of Stockton, Community Partner Award, and the Virginia State University Presidential Medal.
In his role as interim city manager, Mr. Black will focus on ensuring continuity of operations while advancing key City priorities, including fiscal stability, organizational alignment, public safety, and economic development.
“I am honored to serve the City of Vallejo in this capacity,” said Mr. Black. “I look forward to working in partnership with the City Council, employees, and the community to address current challenges and support the City’s continued progress.”
Mr. Black will utilize his operational expertise in key areas and decisive leadership to assess the organization, implement best practices for a modern municipality, and help to set Vallejo on a path to success.