What inspired you to enter city management?
The opportunity to make a significant impact on the community, while being able to aid in the development of staff. The ability to affect change can be accomplished at many levels, but the greatest ability comes at the top. I am most interested in creating a vision for the community, in partnership with the City Council, and executing it. In that process, I can also play a vital role in the development of current and future leaders.
How did you become a city manager?
I am not yet a city manager, but aspire to be one in the future.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
As the assistant to the city manager I enjoy the opportunities to work on a variety of projects, as no day is the same. In Santa Clarita, I have the opportunity to sit in on all director one-on-ones, attend all council committee meetings and participate in a variety of high-level discussion on projects of citywide importance. In addition, I was given the opportunity to serve an interim assignment as the city librarian, which afforded me the ability to work with a diverse group of people, and recommend and implement strategies to enhance the operations.
What role does a city manager play in local government, and how do you feel it differs from that of a Council Member or Mayor?
The city manger plays a vital role in the success of a city. The City Council and or Mayor provide direction on what priorities of the city should be, but the city manager shapes the policies and recommends a fiscal strategy to meet the priorities of the City Council. The city manager is tasked with leading city staff to accomplish projects and day-to-day operations that align with the vision of the Council, while also ensuring the City Council is informed and well positioned throughout the process.
What city project are you most proud of?
During my tenure in Santa Clarita, there have been numerous new amenities and enhancements to existing city facilities that have been made available to the public. The project that I feel most proud of, however, is the Canyon Country Community Center, which opened in 2020. While the city previously maintained a community center in Canyon Country, the footprint was small compared to the needs and size of the community. When planning for the next facility, the original idea was for a new community center larger in size that would replace the existing site, but in a more centralized location. However, that quickly changed, and the end product was a state-of-the-art facility, with a grand ballroom, basketball courts, a recreation room, large play structure and a terrace that has allowed for large venues, including the annual State of the City and several weddings. Most importantly, the new facility has afforded the city the ability to offer more services and programs to the Canyon Country community, which has, in some areas, large disadvantaged communities that need the services.
When and how do you interact with the residents of your city?
There are several opportunities to interact with the public. The city’s communication team maintains an active, ongoing social presence across several platforms that help keep residents informed of current and upcoming events and projects. In addition, a newsletter from the city manager is published via various platforms (newspaper, magazines, etc.) as well as weekly updates from City Councilmembers weekly via the Signal.
What is the role of a city manager in upholding the public’s trust in local government?
The role of a city manger is critical in upholding public trust and is centered around a transparent and open process for all matters. In Santa Clarita, for example, the city’s budget process is a six-month process that includes at least three public meetings prior to the public hearing to adopt the budget. In addition, throughout the year, countless items are presented to the City Council for consideration via City Council meetings, as well as public committee meetings on a variety of topics.
How has being awarded the Executive Education Grant helped better your skills in the city management profession?
The Executive Education Grant was a tremendous help and afforded me the opportunity to attend Harvard Kennedy School’s Leadership Decision Making cohort in June 2024. The program at Harvard provided insight on decision science, which aims to eliminate bias to enhance the probability of successful outcomes (decisions). Beyond the professors, who they themselves are leaders in their respective disciplines, the opportunity to learn and meet leaders from across the world is invaluable. The cohort included leaders from over 25 countries, from a mix of private and public sectors. The perspective and cultural differences of each member helped shape several of the discussions, while also provided me with insight on my leadership style and how to work with my own group of diverse employees. The discussions learned at Harvard prompted several ideas for Santa Clarita, which I will share in an upcoming Lessons Learned discussion with select city staff.