After 18 years serving the people of San Mateo, including five years spent as city manager, Larry Patterson has decided to step down. He announced his retirement Tuesday, effective December 2018. Patterson called it an “emotionally difficult decision.”
"My 18 years serving this community have been the highlight of my career. This has been a wonderful place to work and I truly believe public service has a valuable and lasting impact on the community," Patterson said. "We have pursued big ideas and I'm proud to have had the support of a strong, forward-thinking Council."
Mayor Rick Bonilla credited Patterson with moving San Mateo in a better direction.
"Larry's going to be a hard act to follow. We need someone who has significant experience with a city that is undergoing change – from the social context of growing in a built environment, to tackling infrastructure projects that help improve our environment."
Councilman Joe Goethals called him the epitome of an effective modern city manager, as well as a true friend.
Patterson has worked for the city since 2000 when he first joined as director of Public Works. Prior to that, he owned his own engineering firm. His resume also includes a stint on the Half Moon Bay Planning Commission and two terms on its council.
Patterson received the League of California Cities' James L. Martin Award in 2012. He was appointed interim city manager in October 2013 and promoted to the permanent role by a unanimous vote of the city council the following year.
Read more about Patterson’s tenure as city manager at Patch and the San Mateo Daily Journal.