Santa Maria ends year-long search for new city manager appointing Fillmore’s David Rowlands to fill position

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The City of Santa Maria has ended a year-long search for a new city manager with the recent appointment of David Rowlands to fill the position.

Rowlands is currently the city manager for the City of Fillmore in Ventura County, where he has served as the city's top executive since 2013.

“I'm just excited," Rowlands said during an interview with News Channel 3-12 Monday afternoon. "I'm really excited about this opportunity and I can't wait to get started.”

Santa Maria City Council is set to formally review and vote on his appointment during its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

Rowlands first day on the job is scheduled for Nov. 30, 2024 and he will receive an annual salary of $290,000.

"We did an extensive search," said Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino. "We found some that we felt had all the skills that we needed. He's been a city manager some in other cities for years and he has economic development skills. He's very good with budgets. We think he'll work very well in our city. We have a very diverse community and we feel he'll work very well here."

Santa Maria has been without a permanent city manager since Jason Stillwell left the position in September 2023.

Since then, Alex Posada, who has worked for the city since 1978, including as Recreation and Parks Director for 20 years, has served as interim city manager.

Posada's final day as interim city manager will be this week on Oct. 4. Afterwards, he will return as Recreation and Parks Director.

"We're really appreciate (Posada) stepping up for the last year," said Mark van de Kamp, Santa Maria Public Information Manager. He knows the city. He knows the community. And he was able to do the city a real favor by stepping up. In the interim, we will most likely have, Assistant City Manager Chuen Wu step into the acting role until Mr. Rowlands gets here, so the city will be in good hands all the way through."

In a release, Santa Maria described Rowlands as an "experienced city manager with experience in finance, economic development, labor negotiations and more."

The city also noted Rowlands has received several budgeting awards, landed its first business in the Business Park, and led the City of Fillmore’s efforts to improve its financial position.

Once Rowlands assumes his new position, he'll jump right in during an eventful time during the city and will need to address several key issues, including a multi-million dollar budget deficit, high-profile labor negotiations and the update of the city's General Plan.

"People are talking about those challenges there," saId Rowlands. "I look at as being just wonderful opportunities. We're going to be a collaborative team working together. It's not just one person, it's the entire team to be working to move the city forward."

Rowlands is the first city manager to be hired from outside the city management in over 60 years. All other previous city managers over that time period have been promoted in house.

"Usually we've hired there's been a succession plan, but this time we were left without the succession plan when Mr. Stillwell left, " said Patinoi. "We went out and did a national search and I don't think everyone realized how difficult it was going to be."

Patino added the search needed what essentially became a reset several months ago when city leaders brought in a new recruiting firm to help find the best candidate.

"After the last the first search, we said, I don't think we're doing this right," said Patino. "Let's let's try it again, and so I think we were able to come up with better parameters as a council also, but we wanted to make sure we did it right. We all love Santa Maria. We want to make sure we do the best for Santa Maria."

Despite having no previous experience in Santa Maria, Rowlands believes coming from outside the city will actually be beneficial and provide him the opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to the job.

"I think it's a great opportunity for the community and a great opportunity for the organization," said Rowlands. "There's going to be a fresh eyes looking at the organization I get to be a two-year-old again and ask, why? Why do we do this? Why do we do that? Why? And that'll make the staff think a little bit about what we've done. I think it will help City Council as well to just take a look at new ways we can do things to bring in outside perspectives that I've had throughout my career.

The position of city manager for Santa Maria serves as the city's chief executive officer, overseeing 10 operating departments, including approximately 700 employees, and an overall budget of $291.4 million.