Politics & Government

Campbell's Dan Rich Named New Mountain View City Manager

After exhaustive search, Mountain View hires away Campbell's city manager.

There's just something about Campbell. At least that's what the city of Mountain View thinks.

The city of Mountain View announced today that Campbell City Manager Dan Rich has been selected as the new Mountain View city manager, replacing Kevin Duggan, who stepped down on April 1st.

"Dan resigning as city manager will be a real loss to Campbell," said Campbell Mayor Jason Baker. "But I'm glad he'll remain in the Bay Area to continue to use his considerable talents to make the area a better place to live and work."

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Rich has been with the city of Campbell since 2005.

"We are very pleased," said Mountain View Mayor Jac Siegel, who added that Rich has the right background, with 20 years of city management experience. "He is even-keeled, sturdy, strong, not a radical guy who is going to shake things up, because Mountain View doesn't need shaking up."

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"He has the strong characteristic of a strong leader and will be able to pick up where [Duggan] left off."

Duggan also had strong ties to Campbell. He spent 18 years working in various capacities for the city and his last six were spent as the city manager. Duggan announced his retirement Dec. 7, 2010.

The city manager position is the chief administrative officer of the city and is accountable to the City Council. He/she is the primary adviser to the council on policies concerning community and the various departments under his/her supervision.

According to the California State Controller's Office, as Mountain View city manager, Duggan earned $270,136 in 2009. Rich took home $194,758.

Siegel confirmed that Rich would start on July 25 when the council is on break, an opportune time to get to know the city staff.

Mountain View's search for a city manager began late in 2010. The city received 67 applications, which after countless closed study session meetings, town halls with city employees and the public, was narrowed down to three.

"We've taken this extremely seriously," Siegel said, particularly since Duggan had been fiscally conservative with the city budget and Rich has managed Campbell equally as well. "We believe this is one of the most important things we'll do in our careers and especially me as mayor."

Rich will now be responsible for the provision of services to a city of 74,066 people compared with Campbell's 39,349.

Prior to being the city manager for Campbell, Rich spent three years as the city of Belmont's assistant city manager and the interim city manager for 10 months.   

Rich has more than 20 years of public management experience, including nine years with the city of Sunnyvale and five years working for various members of Congress.

A Bay Area native, Rich received his bachelor's degree from  University of California, Berkeley, and a masters degree in public policy from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Mountain View City Council will vote on the appointment on June 7 during the regular council session at .


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