The City of El Cerrito is pleased to welcome Claudia Garcia to the position of Community Development Director, assuming her duties on Monday, July 20, 2026.
Claudia is an experienced leader in all aspects of community development operations, including planning, building, code enforcement, and economic development. Most recently, she served as the Assistant Director of Community & Economic Development at the City of Vacaville, where she helped to oversee both the building and planning divisions. Prior to her experience in Vacaville, Claudia served as a Principal Planner/Environmental Review Officer for the City of Berkeley where she helped lead the current planning division and code enforcement program, while also supporting large-scale development projects.
Claudia is committed to delivering services and programs that ensure a high and equitable quality of life for all residents. “Working for a city that prioritizes enhancing the local economy and supporting a thriving business community is incredibly exciting” said Garcia. “I look forward to working collaboratively with the community to build on the successes of the San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan and the City’s Prohousing designation to attract development and support a more vibrant and livable El Cerrito.”
Claudia currently serves on the American Planning Association (APA) – Northern Section board and served on the executive board for the Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP) for 10 years. She holds an active American Institute of Certified Planner (AICP) certification and is a leader in the field, regularly presenting at State conferences. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Environmental Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley, and earned a Master of Science degree in Environmental Studies from California State University, Fullerton.
For more information, please contact Assistant to the City Manager Will Provost at wprovost@elcerrito.gov.