Contact: Mayor Jim Ridenour  (209) 571-5597
No. 07-172
October 23, 2007

Interim City Manager Appointed

The Modesto City Council is pleased to announce its intention to appoint Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods Department Director James E. Niskanen as Interim City Manager effective January 7, 2008.

"Jim is a proven public administrator with extensive knowledge in multiple departments," said Mayor Jim Ridenour. "I am confident that Jim has what it takes to help the Council and the City organization with this transition."

Niskanen joined the City of Modesto in 1990 as the Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation and was appointed in 1999 as the Director of the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods Department. In 2005, Niskanen was appointed as Acting Public Works Director for six months and in 2006, was appointed Acting Director for the Community and Economic Development Department for approximately nine months while retaining the Director responsibilities for the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods Department.

"I am honored and consider it a privilege to have been selected as Interim City Manager," said Niskanen. "George has been a great leader for the past few years and I look forward to the opportunity to bridge the gap between him and the next City Manager."

Current City Manager George Britton's retirement will be effective January 6, 2008. The hiring of an Interim City Manager bridges the gap between Britton's retirement and the appointment and start date of a new City Manager. The City Council has retained the services of CPS Human Resource Services, an executive recruitment firm with vast government experience. The national search for Modesto's City Manager has begun.
During Niskanen's service as City Manager, Deputy Director Julie Hannon will be appointed Acting Director for the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods Department.

The base salary for Interim City Manager will be $14,650 per month, with Council to consider an employment agreement on November 7.

#####

To contact the City of Modesto Public Information Office, 
call Jessica Smart at (209) 342-4707. Email: jsmart@modestogov.com