The City Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert (Bob) Bell to the position of City Manager. Bob has served in the interim position since November of 2010. Since serving in this role, Bob has demonstrated strong leadership by working with City’s labor groups and department head team in restructuring benefit and pension programs to reduce costs. Bob is also spearheading an organizational analysis to streamline and add efficiencies to government operations.
The City Council had initially embarked on recruitment for the City Manager position but as Bob served in the interim role it became clear that his leadership ability was producing the necessary results for the organization and community.
Mayor Ira stated, “The City Council, department head team, employees and community members have been very complimentary of Bob in the position of interim City Manager. The City Council decided it was in the best interests of the City to maintain stability with a leader who was already proving his effectiveness in leading and developing the organization in the right direction.”
Bob has been with Redwood City for over five years serving as the City’s Human Resources Director and was also in the rotational assignment of Assistant City Manager for over two years. Bob articulated a strong vision for the organization to the City Council based on principles of customer service, efficient service delivery, and responsiveness to community needs. He described it to the Council as “Government Best by Climate Test” and Bob is committed to leading an organization that is responsive and accountable. Prior to coming to Redwood City, Bob was the Human Resource Director for Burlingame. Bob has a doctorate in organizational leadership from the University of San Francisco and he holds a master’s degree in public administration from California State University, Northridge. Bob was the 2005 recipient of the career leadership award from the League of California Cities.
Vice Mayor Aguirre summed up, “The Council is excited to have Bob as our next city manager and have him take the organization to the next level.”