What inspired you to enter city management?
My dream was never to become a city manager. My passion has always been economic development, working with businesses, facilitating
How did you become a city manager?
Throughout my career, I became known as someone who was willing to take on difficult challenges and find solutions. I was the person who volunteered to help, even when it meant stepping outside my traditional role. I followed through on my commitments, built trust with colleagues, the city council and the community and developed a reputation for getting things done. Those experiences naturally led me into city management.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
One of the things I enjoy most is that no two days are ever the same. I have the opportunity to work alongside every city department, collaborating with talented department heads and staff who are passionate about serving the community. Creating a positive, well-defined organizational culture provides the foundation for great leadership.
I also enjoy working with the city council to develop and implement strategic goals that reflect the community’s vision. Seeing those ideas come to life, whether through a new program, a completed project or a community celebration is incredibly rewarding. Ultimately, I want residents to be proud to call Dana Point home, while strengthening the local economy and enhancing the community’s unique character.
What role does a city manager play in local government, and how does it differ from that of a council member or mayor?
Because my background is in economic development, I often compare local government to a business. I view the city council as the board of directors that establishes the community’s vision and policy direction, while the city manager serves as the CEO, responsible for leading the day-to-day operations and carrying out that vision.
The role is about implementing the council’s strategic priorities while ensuring city services are delivered efficiently and effectively. That includes managing operations, supporting employees, maintaining fiscal responsibility, providing excellent customer service and continuously looking for opportunities to strengthen the community’s economic vitality and quality of life.
What does your typical day look like?
There really isn’t a typical day, and that’s one of the things I enjoy most about the job. A single day might include meeting with department directors, discussing short-term and long-term planning with the city council, responding to resident concerns, meeting with local businesses, reviewing development projects, attending community events and working through unexpected challenges. Every day requires balancing strategic priorities with the immediate needs of the community.
What city project are you most proud of?
It’s difficult to choose just one because every project has a meaningful impact on our residents, businesses and visitors. I’m proud of our efforts to address homelessness with compassion, the creation of community events like Redo Market that bring people together, the new mixed-use developments in Town Center that strengthen our local economy and projects like Watermen’s Plaza that celebrate Dana Point’s unique surfing heritage. Each project contributes in its own way to making Dana Point an even better place to live, work and visit.
What are the greatest challenges facing city managers in the state today?
One of the greatest challenges is preserving local control. Every community has unique priorities and needs, yet cities are increasingly required to
When and how do you interact with the residents of your city?
I interact with residents every day. Connecting with community members and business owners is one of the most important parts of my job. I try to remain as accessible as possible, whether I’m returning a phone call or email, talking with someone at a community event, meeting residents in city hall or simply running into people around town.
I approach every conversation by listening first, without being defensive, and asking myself, “How can I help?” If I can’t personally solve an issue, I work to connect residents with the people who can. Building relationships and maintaining open communication are essential to earning the community’s trust.
What is the role of a city manager in upholding the public’s trust in local government?
Trust is built through honesty, transparency and consistent communication. It’s important to explain not only what decisions are made, but why they’re made. I believe in communicating regularly through community meetings, social media, editorials and other public forums, while also being visible and approachable in the community. People are more likely to trust their local government when they know their city manager is accessible, listens to their concerns and follows through on commitments.
How are cities shaping the future of California?
Cities are where government becomes personal. We’re the level of government people turn to first because we’re the most accessible. In a small town like Dana Point, often your friends and neighbors are councilmembers. By valuing partnerships with residents, businesses, nonprofits and schools, we can create solutions to very complex issues and collectively make a positive impact. Civic partnerships create communities that are resilient, economically strong and responsive to changing needs, which ultimately shapes California.
