Watsonville City Manager René Mendez has been appointed to the same job in Salinas. He’ll take over on May 28 at an annual base salary of $300,000.
“René stands out as a city manager with expertise in economic development, with experience in homelessness, with experience in natural disasters, and so it was only a natural fit that we consider him and hire him as our next city manager,” said Mayor Kimbley Craig.
Mendez has more than two decades of local government experience. He previously managed Gonzales for 17 years. From 1997 to 2005, he served as County Administrative Officer for Inyo.
Salinas’ last city manager Steve Carrigan was fired last year. Jim Pia has been serving as interim manager.
Salinas has a number of high-level vacancies, including an opening for finance director, airport director, and chief of police. As city manager, Mendez will be tasked with finding the city’s next top cop.
Read more at KSBW and the Monterey County Weekly.