Mark Danaj is headed back to Fremont.
The city has named Danaj as its new city manager. He will replace Fred Diaz who retired on Friday.
Danaj served as assistant city manager and chief operating officer for Fremont until 2014 when he left to become the city manager of Manhattan Beach. He was placed on leave in December and later dismissed without cause. Manhattan Beach officials would only describe his termination as a “personnel matter,” but Danaj was told the firing was related to his handling of the elimination of the assistant city manager’s position.
"Mark is an exceptional choice for our next City Manager," said Fremont Mayor Lily Mei. "The City Council was looking for a leader with vision and experience but also for someone that understands Fremont's unique challenges, opportunities, and culture. With Mark, we get the best of all worlds; great experience from other agencies and keen insights gained from his more than three years of previous service to our City."
Danaj has more than two decades of experience in the public sector. He worked as the Strategic Support City Service Area Team Lead/Director of Human Resources for the City of San Jose for eight years before coming to Fremont. From 2011 to 2014, he oversaw key fiscal sustainability, urban development, and civic engagement initiatives in the Alameda County city.
Danaj holds a Bachelor's degree in economics and political science from Marquette University and a Master's in business administration from the University of Notre Dame Mendoza School of Business. He is a graduate of Harvard University Kennedy School's Program for Senior Executives in State & Local Government and credentialed by the International City/County Manager Association.
Danaj will assume his new role on Sept. 4.