San Rafael's Top Executive Excited About the Prospect of Coming to Walnut Creek

UPDATE: Walnut Creek's incoming city manager, Ken Nordhoff, said he is "excited" about the prospect of managing Walnut Creek, because the city has long "been a model of creative and progressive governance, with a particular focus on the arts."

In a statement from the City of San Rafael, where Nordhoff has been city manager since 2005, Nordhoff cited Walnut Creek's new downtown library as an example of this creative and progressive governance and focus on the arts. 

Nordhoff, who will be replacing retiring City Manager Gary Pokorny, said he knows that Walnut Creek  has not been immune from recent budget challenges.

He said: "At this unique time in local public service, I look forward to working with their many neighborhood, business and community groups in fulfilling the city's vision and carrying out the priorities outlined in the Balancing for the Future Plan." 

Mayor Sue Rainey announced Friday that Nordhoff, 49, would be replacing Pokorny effective December 1. Pokorny is retiring after four years as city manager and 10 years with the city. 

The City Council will officially approve Nordhoff contract at its meeting this coming Tuesday.

Rainey said the City Council was unanimous in their decision to hire Nordhoff, even though they are sad to see Pokorny go.

The City Council had a number of top candidates to consider for the job, but liked what they saw in Nordhoff, Rainey said.

"Ken is extremely personable and has an excellent history, including a wealth of experience in economic development," Rainey said. She added that he has been active in regional issues on behalf of San Rafael and will "continue Walnut Creek's tradition of regional leadership." 

She explained that he is also committed to working with the community and plans to move from San Rafael to Walnut Creek.

San Rafael Mayor  Al Boro said Nordhoff has accomplished a great deal in his tenure in San Rafael.

"He exemplified a management style of governmental transparency and great collaboration," Boro said.  "His words and actions created a sense of trust by all with whom he came in contact."

Nordhoff will earn an annual salary of $220,000 in Walnut Creek. He currently earns $184,572 annually in San Rafael, according to the City of San Rafael's website.

In Walnut Creek, Nordhoff will also pay the entire "member" portion of 7 percent toward PERS retirement and contribute towards other benefits. This arrangement is in keeping with voluntary reductions in compensation recently adopted by the city's department directors. 

Nordhoff's contract with the city also provides him with a moving allowance of $6,000 and a housing assistant loan of up to $400,000 to purchase a home in Walnut Creek.

Nordhoff started working for San Rafael in 1996 as the administrative services director, became the assistant city manager in 1998 and has served as city manager since 2005. 

A California native, Nordhoff was born in Arcadia and grew up in Southern California. He has an undergraduate degree in accounting from Cal Poly Pomona, and is a graduate of the UC Berkeley's Executive Seminar.

Nordhoff worked for a few years as a licensed CPA. He was a fiscal officer of OPARC, a nonprofit organization providing services to developmentally disabled adults.

He has worked in the public sector for the last 20 years. His first municipal management position was as administrative services director with the City of Monrovia February 1990 through November 1996.

In 1996, he became the administrative services director for San Rafael. As assistant city manager, he was responsible for overseeing the finance, human resources, parking and information technology functions.

Nordhoff and his wife Shawna have two children, a son and daughter, both in college.

San Rafael Patch  Editor Nancy Isles Nation contributed to this report.