This March, Rita Geldert began her new role as the Executive Director of the California City Management Foundation (CCMF).

Ms. Geldert served as a city manager in California for fourteen years before her retirement from the City of Vista in 2012. Her role as Executive Director is the latest development in a career dedicated to public service. Before becoming City Manager of Vista, Ms. Geldert served as Vista’s Assistant City Manager, Director of Finance and Administration for the City of Dana Point, Management Services Officer for the City of Merced, and Personnel Officer for the City of Vacaville. She also worked as a Contracts Administrator for Xerox Corporation and as a Personnel Specialist for the California State University system. She has been an active CCMF board member since 2001.

“Once I realized how supporting city managers directly correlated to the overall betterment of cities I was hooked on serving in this capacity,” said Ms. Geldert. “I am very excited to step into the role of Executive Director. The last two years have brought about many changes in the profession and CCMF has been out in front of those changes every step of the way, not only assisting city managers with their personal and professional lives, but also in educating communities about the role of the city manager.”

Ms. Geldert was appointed by the board of trustees at the last quarterly meeting in January. “Rita is a great choice in terms of organization and execution, but more importantly, she really cares about communities and the people in them,” said Wade McKinney, President of CCMF. “I have heard from so many city managers about how Rita has reached out to help them in both professional and personal ways.”

“I couldn’t be more pleased with the board’s decision to hire Rita,” said outgoing Executive Director Bill Garrett, who will be focusing his time on his work as the President of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Board of Trustees. “Rita’s understanding of the history and mission of CCMF is unparalleled. She is an extraordinarily nurturing and caring individual, qualities that will serve her well in her new role.”