Who is Clovis’ new city manager? Here’s what you should know about the ‘strong leader’
The Clovis City Council will promote its next city manager from within after a unanimous vote Monday.
Assistant City Manager John Holt will take over on New Year’s Day, replacing Luke Serpa, according to city officials.
Holt has worked for the city for 21 years, serving some of that time as city clerk and a management analyst before joining the top administrative office.
Mayor Jose Flores said Holt has the full support of the council. “Throughout his career with the city of Clovis, John has proven to be a strong leader who wants the best for this city and for the employees who make it great,” Flores said.
Before working for Clovis, Holt was the financial services manager for the city of Visalia for five years. He’s a retired Navy captain who served five years on active duty and 25 in the reserves, according to a news release.
“To be honest, I feel like I just won the lottery. I am being entrusted to be the city manager for what I would argue is the best city in California,” Holt said. “The city of Clovis is a destination of choice for people wanting a great city to live in and a great place for their kids to go to school.”
Holt has lived in Clovis for 30 years, according to the news release.
Clovis has about 120,000 residents, according to the U.S. Census, and Holt will oversee about 600 employees.
Serpa will retire in December, and has served as city manager since 2017. He has been a Clovis employee for 17 years.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve as Clovis’ city manager for the last five years, and I know I will be leaving the city in good hands,” he said in a news release.
