Fresno Mayor Lee Brand has selected the city’s next top executive, and she’s the first woman to ever hold the job. Fresno Assistant City Manager Wilma Quan-Schecter’s promotion was announced Thursday. She’s replacing Bruce Rudd, who is retiring after a 41-year career with the city and four years in the city manager seat.
“She’s a proven leader,” said Brand. “…She’s an effective communicator and she’s built strong relationships with everyone she’s come in contact with. She has the ability and the energy to implement my vision for Fresno over the next eight years.”
The appointment is a big step for Brand, who succeeded Ashley Swearengin in November.
Quan-Schecter’s background is impressive. She’s the first in her family to have ever graduated high school, let alone college. According to the city’s website, she boasts more than 20 years of experience in planning, revitalization and development.
Quan-Schecter began her work for the city in 2009 as an urban planning specialist with the Downtown Community Revitalization Project. She was later promoted to deputy city manager and then assistant city manager. She also previously worked as a planner for the California Department of Transportation and owned her own planning consulting firm.
Quan-Schecter is expected to take over on July 10. Her salary has yet to be finalized. Rudd’s annual base salary for 2017 was $243,240.