Hollister city manager Ana Cortez was fired on October 21, 2026, after serving on the job for only eight months.
The Hollister City Council dismissed Cortez for convenience rather than cause. Airport Director and Acting Planning Director Jeff Crechriou is serving as the interim city manager.
With a $7 million general fund deficit and a $9.6 million water fund deficit on the books, Cortez had previously distributed layoff and administrative leave notices to 37 municipal employees, encompassing staff from public works and the Hollister Police Department. The city has since rescinded the layoffs, though the deficits remain unresolved.
San Fernando appointed Armen Avazian as its new Director of Public Works. Avazian previously worked as the Principal Civil Engineer for the city of Glendale, where he spent more than 18 years. He takes over the department as City Manager Kanika Kith prepares to leave San Fernando to become the Rosemead city manager starting December 7.
Indio City Manager Jonathan Nicks accepted a new role as city manager for Bell Gardens, where he will assume office on January 4, 2027. Nicks was appointed to lead Indio in May, succeeding retired City Manager Bryan Montgomery, after serving two years as the Indio Assistant City Manager.
In Southern California’s municipal ranks, Matt West stepped into the role of Garden Grove city manager on November 3, 2026. West previously served as the Assistant City Manager and succeeded retired city manager Lisa Kim. He worked for the City of Tustin from 2002 to 2024, leaving as Deputy City Manager.
Carl Alameda, a former Ojai and La Cañada Flintridge Assistant City Manager, was hired as the Town Manager for Kearny, Arizona, under the name “Alex Alameda.”
Following his appointment on October 28, 2026, it was discovered that he faces 34 felony counts alleging he stole nearly $200,000 in insurance claim proceeds intended for La Cañada Flintridge. The Town of Kearny placed him on paid investigative leave. He has not been convicted of any crime and is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Calistoga filled its top municipal post by hiring 65-year-old Mitchell Celaya III in October 2026. Mitch served as the Calistoga Chief of Police for a dozen years from 2012 to 2024 and led the University of California, Berkeley Police Department from 1982 until 2012. Following the departure of former City Manager Laura Snideman, he moved into city administration, serving as Assistant City Manager across 2024-2025 and as Acting or Interim City Manager from 2025 through 2026.
In Sacramento, Assistant City Manager Katie Dignan resigned for personal reasons on September 2, 2026, after spending only eight weeks on the job. She had started with the Sacramento city staff on July 13, 2026, as one of four assistant city managers reporting to City Manager Maraskeshia Smith. Megan Van Voorhis is the Interim Assistant City Manager temporarily replacing Katie.
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