Less than one week after Tacoma’s deputy city manager resigned, two more top-level administrators will be leaving City Hall.
In an e-mail to city employees Tuesday afternoon, Tacoma City Manager T. C. Broadnax announced Finance Director Bob Biles will be leaving City employment on May 18. Biles, 56, was hired in 2008. Assistant Finance Director Jeff Litchfield will serve as the interim finance directer while Tacoma searches for a new finance director. Additionally, Community and Economic Development Director Ryan Petty will be leaving City employment on May 25. Petty, 63, was hired in 2004. Assistant Community and Economic Development Director Martha Anderson will serve as the interim director while Tacoma searches for a new director.
On April 30, Broadnax announced Deputy City Manager Rey Arellano’s last day would be May 4.
“Rey is leaving the City of Tacoma to actively pursue opportunities to serve as a city manager in a different organization,” wrote Broadnax in an e-mail to staff. “I would like to take this time to express my sincere appreciation for the support Rey has provided to me during my transition into the City organization, and for the many contributions he has made in his career at the City.”
Arellano served as deputy city manager since 2006, was appointed interim city manager in July 2011 after Tacoma City Council voted not to extend former city manager Eric Anderson’s employment contract, and was one of five people who applied for the vacant city manager position. Broadnax was hired and began serving as city manager in February.
Prior to Tacoma, Arellano worked for the City of San Diego, Calif. as the deputy city manager and chief information officer from 2002-2006, and from 1999-2002 he was a group project manager for Ryder System Inc.
“Organizational changes in leadership and staffing naturally create a sense of uncertainty,” wrote Broadnax in his e-mail to staff Tuesday afternoon. “I acknowledge this fact and encourage all City employees to discuss questions you may have with your department supervisors and/or managers. I appreciate your support of the individuals selected to assist executive leadership during this transition. Thank you for your resilience during these times of change, and for your diligent focus on effectively serving the citizens and our clients.”
