Scotts Valley City Manager Tina Friend has been selected as the top administrator of Coronado in San Diego County. Friend received a unanimous vote by the Coronado City Council. She was one of 65 candidates who were reviewed and evaluated for the position.
Friend has managed Scotts Valley since 2019. For nearly a decade prior, she was Santa Cruz’s assistant city manager. She has more than 16 years of executive-level experience in local government. She holds a master’s degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University and a law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law.
“Friend has been active in community organizations and has served on multiple local and regional commissions and boards on economic development and recovery, tourism, libraries, public safety, animal services, insurance and risk management, housing and homelessness, and interagency committees with school, fire and water districts,” according to a Coronado press release. “She comes from a military family and her father was stationed locally. Her husband is a San Diego native and lifelong Padres fan. He and their 6-year-old son look forward to attending many games in the future.”
Scotts Valley Mayor Derek Timm said Friend’s leadership was crucial during an incredibly challenging year for local governments.
“She helped stabilize our city finances, navigate the myriad challenges of the pandemic and steward our city through evacuations during the fires. She set our City up for long-term success, and her contributions are significant and long-lasting. Although we will miss her dearly, we are excited for her to embark on this new chapter in Coronado. We are proud of all that she has accomplished here and excited to see what she will accomplish in the future.”
Coronado’s last city manager, Blair King, resigned in April after 11 years at the helm. Interim City Manager Mark Ochenduszko will remain on board until Aug. 27. Friend is scheduled to take over in early September.