In this newly formed position, he manages the City’s Arts and Events, Economic Development, and Transit divisions. Tom has lived and worked in Santa Clarita for more than 30 years. Prior to joining the City of Santa Clarita, he served as Chief Operations Officer for the William S. Hart Union School District, and has held several local leadership roles, including Business Development/Project Management with Wimsatt Contracting Company; Vice President/Director of Construction at Highland Development Company; Director of Development at LNR Property; and Senior Project Manager with Newhall Land and Farming. He has also served in community organizations, including President of the SC Rotary Club, YMCA Board Member, and a Director at the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The Director of Community Development reports directly to the City Manager and oversees a department that includes 40 full-time staff assigned to the areas of Planning, Community Preservation, Housing, Redevelopment and Economic Development. In addition to leading an active and productive team, the Community Development Director plays an important role as a key member of the executive team, providing guidance and input on a number of citywide issues. Externally, the Director is highly visible with a solid community presence and tremendous community outreach to the business, development and neighborhood groups.

As a classified senior management position, served as the primary operations official of the district, which includes over 23,000 students in seventeen school sites. Performed professional duties in the buisness services departments including facilities, maintenance & operations, transportation, development/construction of new facilities & modernizations and risk management.

Directly responsible for the management of all horizontal and vertical development & construction activities for the company. Tasks included the due diligence, planning, entitlements, architecture & engineering, development, leasing, property management and disposition of all existing assets and new acquisitions.

Managed entire Newhall Land (N LA County) asset--all commercial, industrial, residential properties, (including 12,000 acre Newhall Ranch–specific plan and all income-producing properties within portfolio). Pursued acquisition of 1,000+ acres of commercial / industrial properties in Southern California. Planning, entitlements, architecture, engineering, development, leasing, property management, disposition of all existing assets / new acquisitions.

Oversaw planning, open space, parks, trails, entitlements, land development / infrastructure improvements; financial performance, budgeting, contract negotiation / execution. Supervised vertical construction (core / shell and TI’s); property management / disposition of numerous commercial / residential / industrial projects.