Council Offers Top Job to Pinkerton

Long gone are the days when the name “Pinkerton” inspired confidence in businessmen and struck fear into the hearts of unsavory characters.  I hope our new City Manager will forgive me, since the Pinkertons of yore themselves developed a bad reputation for their unsavory tactics dealing with labor unions and those poor unfortunates dealing with wealthy Americans, but after watching Deadwood I developed a fascination with the Pinkerton Detective Agency.  I’m confident that Mr. Steve Pinkerton will uphold the highest of ethical standards, but it would be nice to see him take a hard line on financial/labor matters and inspire some confidence in our business community.

Manteca City Manager Steve Pinkerton has been offered the top job in Davis, CA.

Eleven months ago, I published an exit interview with outgoing City Manager Bill Emlen. Since then, I’ve been an outspoken supporter of the nationwide search that Council has spent the better part of a year.  Although the proof will be in the pudding, a quick review of Mr. Pinkerton’s qualifications indicate that he has the experience and knowledge necessary to lead our city.

I’ve also been a strong proponent of hiring someone with charisma, somebody with the confidence and inclination toward team building and efficiency that can motivate our fragmented city staff, elected officials and citizenry to find common ground in these troubling economic times.  Since last night, when I first started receiving emails about the offer to Mr. Pinkerton, I’ve been told that this character trait definitely made Mr. Pinkerton stand apart from the crowd.  Also, I came across this short video (about protecting redevelopment agencies) in which Mr. Pinkerton’s engaging manner does come across.

Welcome, Steve Pinkerton, to The People’s Republic of Davis.  On behalf of the Davis Voice community, we wish you the best of luck.  We look forward to seeing you at the Farmers Market and riding alongside you in the bike lanes of our fair city (hint, hint.)

Following, find the official press release from the city.

City of Davis Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 26, 2011

DAVIS CITY COUNCIL SELECTS NEW CITY MANAGER

Davis, CA – The Davis City Council announced tonight that Steve Pinkerton, the current City Manager of Manteca, California, has been chosen to be Davis’ new City Manager pending the formal contract approval process.

Pinkerton was unanimously selected by the Davis City Council following a nationwide search that included pre-screening by an executive recruitment firm, rounds of interviews, and in-depth reference and background checks.  The City received a total of 84 resumes from individuals throughout California and across the United States.  Pinkerton succeeds Bill Emlen, who accepted a position with Solano County last September after serving four-and-a-half years as city manager.  The Davis City Council will take formal action to appoint Pinkerton and approve his contract at the next City Council meeting scheduled for the morning of Monday, August 1^st.

“I am delighted to announce the selection of Steve Pinkerton as the city of Davis’s next city manager,” said Mayor Joe Krovoza.  “Steve has a very broad skill set that will guarantee Davis thrives in these challenging times.  His experience in budget and organizational issues will serve us well, as will his expertise in planning, water, economic development, and establishing partnerships with public and private entities.  Steve’s references spoke of his exceptional integrity and his ability to unify divergent interests.  He stood out in a field of exceptional candidates, and I know he gets – and is excited to work in – the uniqueness that is Davis, California.”

Pinkerton has nearly 30 years of experience in California local government, including the past 3 years as Manteca’s City Manager.  Prior to his service in Manteca, Pinkerton spent 13 years leading Stockton’s revitalization efforts.  Pinkerton has also held managerial positions for the southern California cities of Long Beach and Redondo Beach.

“I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to serve the citizens of Davis,” said Pinkerton.  “I can’t wait to work with this dynamic City Council and a city staff that has such an outstanding reputation.  As the son of a professor of urban sociology, I grew up in a college town and have always wanted the opportunity to work in the unique environment of a host city for a large, world-class university such as UC Davis.”

“The Council and I want to express our deep appreciation for the tireless dedication of our Interim City Manager, Paul Navazio, and all of our department heads and staff during the transition,” added Mayor Krovoza.  “It was our confidence in Paul’s ability that allowed us to take the time we needed to conduct a thorough search.  Paul Navazio guided us on key aspects of major issues, including our new budget, water supply and treatment, fighting to keep our Redevelopment Agency, and initiating the hotel and conference center project.”  Added Krovoza, “I also want to thank my colleagues – Sue Greenwald, Rochelle Swanson, Stephen Souza and Dan Wolk.  The selection process demanded everyone’s further dedication of time, but the result is a great one in that we are a stronger, more focused council, with a super new city manager to lead our great staff.”

Pinkerton’s salary, as proposed, will be $188,000 per year.  The proposed contract includes provisions that he will pay two percent of the eight percent employee contribution towards his pension and is required to take three unpaid furlough days in the upcoming fiscal year.  Steve Pinkerton’s salary and benefits may be modified to maintain consistency with changes in compensation for all management employees.  He will not receive any city contribution towards a deferred compensation plan and will not receive any auto or technology allowance.  The contract is similar in structure to Bill Emlen’s, and its total compensation will, at most, represent a $3,500 increase over Emlen’s last full year of 2009.

Pinkerton took the helm in Manteca (population 68,410) just as San Joaquin County was becoming the foreclosure capital of the United States.  Property values were dropping, municipal revenues were plummeting, and Manteca was facing a future of annual General Fund budget deficits exceeding 35 percent of total revenues.  Three years later, through a combination of staffing consolidations, increased operational efficiencies, and an aggressive economic development strategy, Manteca has adopted a balanced budget for the coming fiscal year.

During his tenure in Stockton, Pinkerton was responsible for developing and implementing many of the city’s successful revitalization strategies, including Stockton’s national and state award-winning downtown revitalization strategy and the Mayor’s Strong Neighborhood Initiative, which has invested nearly $100 million of public improvements in the community’s most blighted areas.  Pinkerton also administered the City’s affordable housing program, oversaw the expansion of the City’s Central Parking District, and developed the Neighborhood Services Division to transform code enforcement into a tool to enhance neighborhood improvement efforts.

Pinkerton, age 51, holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Economics and Geography from the University of Missouri-Columbia, as well as Master of Arts degrees in Economics and Planning from the University of Southern California.

Pinkerton is an active father of four children ranging in age from 2 to 18.  His wife, Audrey Winters, is a founding partner in an environmental law firm that works solely with local public entities, emphasizing brownfields redevelopment.