Tomorrow is my first day as City Manager.  I am deeply honored and proud to help you serve one of the greatest cities in the country.  With Frank Fairbanks’ leadership over the last two decades, it is no wonder we were named All-America City and the best run city in the world during his tenure. Having begun my career with this organization, I have had the opportunity to learn, grow and be mentored by the best.  I thank Frank Fairbanks for that. I also would like to recognize Alton Washington for his many years of serving the public.  Alton truly is a champion of the residents of Phoenix, always focused on providing the best possible service to all of our customers.  I also would like to thank Mayor Phil Gordon and the City Council for their support.  They had a tough decision to make, and I appreciate their vote of confidence in our management team.

We have unprecedented challenges ahead of us as we continue to serve the community.  As you know, the economic downturn still looms as the city’s sales tax revenue decreases. However, I am confident that we will work together to provide solutions to these challenges.

You can expect a few more changes as the city reorganizes its executive management team.  I am pleased to announce that Ed Zuercher will be named as the Assistant City Manager effective immediately.  Attached is the new organization chart outlining some changes in the management team and the reporting structure.  This organization chart is temporary.  We plan to appoint an interim Deputy City Manager in the next few weeks to handle some of the workload. At that point, we will make some additional reassignments of departments. In the meantime, most departments that reported to me or Ed will continue to do so. I appreciate your patience during the transition.

As our community continues to evolve, so does the need for innovative ideas and creative solutions to solve everyday issues. We are asking employees to do more with less and to continue to strive for excellence. I know all of you are up to the task.  In light of this need for continuous improvement, I am pleased to announce a citywide Innovation and Efficiency Task Force that will assist us in the future by identifying specific recommendations for improvements in areas including customer service, alternative delivery methods and revenue enhancements. I have asked Aviation Director Danny Murphy and Public Transit Director Debbie Cotton to co-chair this important initiative.

Once again, I want to thank each and every one of you for the work and service you provide every day.  I love this city and I commit to you that I will work hard along with our Mayor, City Council members, executive management team and you, our dedicated employees. I welcome and encourage your feedback, ideas and suggestions. Your dedication to serving the public sets this city apart, and I look forward to working with you as a team.

-David Cavazos

David Cavazos was named today as the new Phoenix city manager and will begin his new responsibilities Friday, Nov. 6.

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and the City Council met today at Phoenix City Hall in an executive session to consider the selection of, and interview finalists for, the position of city manager.

Cavazos, 49, is the first Hispanic to hold the job. He joined the city in 1987 as a management intern and was economic-development manager from 1991 to 1997. From 1998 to 2000, he served as deputy director of the Aviation Department and later the assistant Aviation director from 2001 to 2003. Cavazos served as acting Aviation director from 2004 to 2005, with his most recent position as deputy city manager.

In that position, he oversees the Development Services, Information Technology, Planning and Water Services departments; ASU Downtown; water strategy; and Westside Revitalization.

“David will lead a great team that over the next 20 years will take this rising Phoenix and make it soar,” Gordon said. “We got it right, but it would have been hard to get it wrong.”

“This is a historic day in Phoenix,” Vice Mayor Tom Simplot said. “David Cavazos is a true professional and will lead Phoenix into the next decade.”

Cavazos earned a master’s degree in management and public policy from Carnegie Mellon University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Illinois University.

The other candidates interviewed were Phoenix deputy city managers David Krietor, Rick Naimark and Ed Zuercher.

Frank Fairbanks, current city manager, will retire Nov. 5 after serving in this capacity for 19 years. The 63-year-old Phoenix native has held the city manager’s position longer than any previous manager, ending a 37-year career with the city.

Related Links

• Phoenix city manager Frank Fairbanks to retire this fall, from AZCentral.com