bob_wingenrothThis was published today on YourWestValley.com:

Anaheim city manager takes Surprise CFO post

Surprise has appointed the city manager of Anaheim, Calif. as the city’s assistant city manager/chief financial officer.

City Manager Chris Hillman announced the selection Wednesday of Bob Wingenroth, who also was former finance director in Phoenix.

“Bob has outstanding credentials and a strong record of success as a financial expert and municipal government manager,” Hillman said. “His extensive Arizona experience is also very welcome and will benefit the residents of Surprise.”

 Wingenroth was the Phoenix city auditor from 1999 until 2005, when he was appointed finance director, a position he had until his retirement in 2009.

Wingenroth has served in Anaheim since 2010, when he was hired as finance director. He was appointed as the city manager in June. He was the finance director for the city of Huntington Beach from 2009 to 2010.

 In addition to serving as the Surprise CFO, Wingenroth will oversee the Human Resources and Information Technology departments, Hillman said.

 “This places most of our internal support services under Bob’s leadership, which makes sense organizationally and plays to Bob’s strengths,” he said.

Raised in Arizona, Wingenroth said he looks forward to returning to the Valley.

 “I have had the opportunity to watch Surprise grow and face the enormous challenges that come with rapid development,” he said. “I look forward to working with my new colleagues and the council to keep our support services first rate and assure that Surprise remains on sound financial footing. The city has a very promising future, and I am excited about being part of it.”

It would seem this has been in the works for a while. The City Council was blindsided.