Mountain View City Manager Dan Rich To Retire In December

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA -- After 27 years in local government, including the past eight as Mountain View City Manager, Dan Rich has announced that he will retire this December.

He stated his intent in a letter delivered to the City Council this week.

“When I accepted this position, I knew it was a great opportunity for me, but I did not realize how special the City and organization I was joining was," he wrote. "I am proud of the many accomplishments that we have achieved together over the past eight years.”

Rich led Mountain View out of the Great Recession and through a time of considerable change. Under his leadership at Mountain View, several long range, strategic initiatives were developed, including the General Plan and the North Bayshore Precise Plan. He also helped restructure the business license tax with voter support, negotiated partnerships with school districts, helped create the Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority and worked to develop ongoing revenue streams from City-owned land at Moffett Gateway and Hope Street.

Internally, Rich created a free-standing IT department; enhanced staffing in the city transportation and sustainability divisions; put employees first with engagement, wellness and training initiatives; and developed a strategy for paying down unfunded liabilities while maintaining financial strength.

Dan has been active in the city management profession over the course of his career, including serving as chair of the Santa Clara County City Managers Association, participating in statewide efforts on pension reform and preparing the next generation of public sector leaders.

“The City of Mountain View has been very fortunate to have Dan Rich as the City Manager for the past eight years," Mountain View Mayor Lisa Matichak said in a statement. "He should be proud of the very positive impact he has had on the city. While I wish Dan all the best in his future endeavors, he will be sorely missed.”

The City Council is expected to hold a closed session on Sept. 3 to discuss the process for replacing Rich.