The City of Chula Vista is set for a significant leadership transition as current Assistant City Manager Tiffany Allen has been promoted to the position of City Manager. This decision follows the announcement of retirement by Maria Kachadoorian, the present City Manager, who will officially retire in October.
Tiffany Allen’s appointment was unanimously approved by the City Council, reflecting a strong vote of confidence in her capabilities and the city’s current direction. Allen, with a career spanning over two decades in Chula Vista government, has a diverse background beginning as a City Hall counter clerk in 2001, where she issued engineering permits.
As the new City Manager, effective October 3, Allen will oversee a workforce of 1,300 city employees and manage a budget of approximately $600 million. Her annual salary will be around $350,000. The city, with a population nearing 280,000 residents, is recognized as the second largest in San Diego County.
Councilmembers’ choice of Allen signifies their trust in her leadership during a period of significant residential construction and local development initiatives. Allen has been a pivotal figure under Kachadoorian, notably contributing to the successful implementation of the city’s bayfront redevelopment plan. This includes the recent opening of the Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center.
Earlier this year, Chula Vista successfully passed a balanced budget without resorting to cuts in public programs or layoffs, which stands in stark contrast to financial issues faced by neighboring San Diego. Allen herself describes her style as one aimed at continuity and moderation rather than upheaval.
“Growth, with respect,” she articulated, outlining her vision for Chula Vista. Her approach emphasizes enhancing what already exists rather than introducing sweeping changes. “I really am very much a known commodity in this city,” Allen stated in a recent interview with Voice of San Diego, expressing an understanding of the challenges faced by city employees.
Originally from Oklahoma, with her upbringing extended across San Diego, Washington D.C., and the Pacific Northwest, Allen earned her political science degree from the University of Oregon. Shortly after graduation, she moved to Chula Vista and embarked on her career in public service at the engineering department.
“Issued administrative engineering permits,” reads the earliest line on her resume. Self-described as one of the most committed bureaucrats, Allen expressed her preference for working quietly from her office, focusing on problem-solving and data analysis rather than engaging in self-promotion. Despite her extensive experience, she sometimes felt embarrassed discussing her career path, indicating a strong preference for her work over personal accolades.
Even so, she became animated when discussing her collaborative experiences and responsibilities that required working effectively with others. Reflecting on her most formative work experience, she cited her time selling shoes at a department store to support her college education, arguing that everyone should undergo the rigors of food service or retail work.
Allen found fulfillment in her role at the engineering counter, as it involved a variety of tasks including scanning plans and setting up databases. This sparked her curiosity about local government processes and encouraged her to delve deeper into city operations.
Progressing in her career to budgeting analysis, Allen highlighted the satisfaction derived from engaging with different departments to evaluate their service provisions and resource needs. Maintaining her goal of a steady and familiar administration, she refrained from unveiling any radical new initiatives as she takes the helm.
Instead, Allen committed to continuing the momentum in bayfront redevelopment and addressing the construction of approximately 13,000 housing units across various developments in Otay Ranch. She noted a promising new endeavor already generating widespread support: the recent hiring of a new economic development director tasked with devising a comprehensive strategy to attract higher-paying jobs to the city.
A recurring concern among residents is the lengthy commutes to job centers in the northern parts of the county. Allen emphasized that a major objective for city leadership is to encourage technology and advanced companies to establish offices within Chula Vista, thereby providing better local employment opportunities.
Living in Chula Vista with her husband and young son in a planned community on the eastern side, Allen has a firsthand understanding of the community’s needs. Her vision extends to a robust community life with educational aspirations and career opportunities for residents. “I want you to have the job of your dreams here,” she expressed, alongside a desire for enjoyable weekend activities.
In the realm of governance, elected officials are responsible for enacting policies that affect the community’s various facets. Bureaucrats, like city managers, transform these policies into actionable plans and operations that directly benefit residents.
Effective city managers offer pragmatic advice to Councilmembers as they deliberate policy choices while also supporting the city employees executing critical services such as road maintenance, library management, law enforcement, and firefighting.
Ultimately, residents in Chula Vista will experience the outcomes of Allen’s management through the day-to-day aspects of their lives. Allen acknowledges the accountability she has to her neighbors as she steps into her new role.
“I am literally part of building the community that I live in,” she remarked. Working within the backdrop of her own neighborhood allows her a deeply personal perspective on the city’s governance. She understands the importance of transparency and community engagement, recognizing that residents will hold her responsible for the direction and progress of their city.
“I take this role very seriously,” Allen asserted, sharing her passion for serving the community she loves. “I’m committed to it. I don’t take it lightly.”
image source from：voiceofsandiego
