Ken Striplin & Justin Hess Take On CCMF Leadership

CCMF is excited to announce the appointment of Ken Striplin as the Foundation’s President and Justin Hess as its Vice President!

Ken Striplin takes the reins from outgoing President Wade McKinney, who retired from the city management profession in May 2019. Striplin has worked for the City of Santa Clarita since 1995, serving in a leadership capacity in every City department during his tenure and eventually becoming City Manager in 2012. Throughout his career, Striplin has played an integral role in the fiscal and organizational success of Santa Clarita. He worked with staff to develop a successful workforce development plan and an award-winning mentoring program, which was recognized by the League of California Cities with a Helen Putnam award. Striplin is the recipient of the John H. Nail Award from the League for his work as an outstanding assistant City Manager.

“I am honored to be named President for the California City Management Foundation,” said Striplin. “CCMF is one of the pillars of support in the California management profession. Taking over from Wade will not be an easy task, but the Board of Trustees and I look forward to continuing CCMF’s work to assist and give back to city managers throughout the state.”

Justin Hess was named Assistant City Manager for the City of Burbank in 2013, after working in nearly every department since beginning his career with the City as a management intern in the Community Development Department. Hess has been on the CCMF Board of Trustees for several years and is also a member of the International City/County Management Association, Municipal Management Assistants of Southern California, Government Finance Officers Association, and California Society of Municipal Finance Officers.

“Having worked closely with both Striplin and Hess for the past few years, I am confident that their leadership will take CCMF to new heights,” said Executive Director Ken Pulskamp. “They truly value their communities and are incredibly dedicated public servants. CCMF is in great hands.”