SUNNYVALE, Calif. – What traits define an ideal city manager candidate? What kind of person does it take to lead nearly 1,000 staff members, ensure high levels of service to the community and be responsive and answerable to a seven-member city council? The City of Sunnyvale is looking to our community to help answer these questions.

Sunnyvale City Council has selected Avery Associates, a professional recruiting organization, to conduct the search for a new city manager who will replace Amy Chan, who is retiring later this year. An essential part of the recruitment process is to gain an understanding of what the community thinks the important attributes for a successful city manager are. Public comments will become part of the selection process and will be a valuable tool for the recruiters in defining a profile for the search. City Council will formally consider approving the profile at their May 13 meeting. Members of the public may also attend this regular Council meeting and offer comments before Council gives final approval of a profile.

The city manager is appointed directly by the City Council, and his or her performance is judged by Council. The selection of a new city manager is one of the most important decisions Council will make. Acting in much the same capacity as a corporate chief executive officer, the city manager is ultimately responsible for all of a city’s operations.

To offer comments about what values and traits should be considered in the selection of Sunnyvale’s new city manager, please send your comments by April 30 directly to
Bill Avery, Avery Associates, 3½ N. Santa Cruz Ave., Suite A, Los Gatos, CA 95030. Comments may also be sent by e-mail to bill@averyassoc.net. While written comments are preferred, phone comments will be accepted at (408) 399-4424. City Council will formally consider approving the profile at their May 13 meeting. Members of the public may also attend this regular Council meeting and offer comments before Council gives final approval to a profile.