At the end of last night’s long, grueling Anaheim City Council meeting, City Attorney Mike Houston reported out of the closed session that the council had voted to give the permanent city manager post to Interim City Manager Paul Emery. The vote was 4-1 in favor, with Mayor Tom Tait voting against the appointment.
Emery was appointed to the interim post in February 2014, after City Manager Marcie Edwards left to take over leadership of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power:
Emery’s municipal management experience spans 25 years. From 2001-2012 he worked for the City of Huntington Beach, most recently as the Deputy City Manager for six years, as well as one year as interim City Administrator. During his tenure in Huntington Beach he led and provided direction to the city’s administrative, financial and operational departments, as well as implemented City Council policy according to Council direction. His responsibilities included oversight of the city’s budget and long-term financial plan, negotiation with employee bargaining units, and facilitation of major private and public projects. Emery led his departments and the city with the vision to manage projects and people to best serve its customers.
From 1988-2001 Emery worked for the City of Santa Ana, and was primarily involved with the city’s Public Works department and transportation capital projects. As a member of the city’s management team, he worked with employee bargaining groups, led the development of the deferred capital program, and helped develop objectives and projects for innovative product delivery.
California born and raised, Emery holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from California State University, Fullerton, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Davis.
Emery will be Anaheim’s fourth city manager since 2011.
