After 5-month, national search, new Hanford city manager was internal candidate
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- Hanford hired Chris Tavarez after a nationwide search; he starts Feb. 2, sworn Feb. 5.
- Recruitment drew 30 applications from seven states; nine met qualifications.
- Tavarez brings 25 years in municipal government and goals for projects and stability.
Chris Tavarez is the new Hanford city manager effective Feb. 2. The position became vacant after former city manager Mario Cifuentez II relocated to Arizona last August.
“I am confident that he will continue moving our city forward in ways that will benefit the entire community,” said Mayor Mark Kairis.
Tavarez has worked for the City of Hanford for the last five years serving as its finance director, deputy city manager and interim city manager.
For the last five months, the Hanford City Council has been through the search for a new city manager hiring the outside consultant Bob Murray & Associates to conduct the nationwide recruitment.
The search generated interest from more than 40 individuals, of which 30 applications were received from across seven states, including California, according to Stephanie Dietz, with Bob Murray & associates.
From that pool, nine applicants met the minimum qualifications and were vetted by the city council, Dietz said.
While four candidates, including Tavarez, were selected by the city council to move forward in the process, Dietz said that for a variety of reasons three withdrew, leaving Tavarez as the sole finalist in the recruitment process.
Tavarez met with residents during a Hanford City manager candidate meet and greet held on Jan. 5 by the city council.
Some residents expressed their concerns that the city council failed to bring four candidates to this position to give residents “more of a choice,” but others were pleased with the process.
Tavarez has worked for about 25 years in municipal government roles in Tulare and Kings counties, including administrative services manager for the City of Visalia and finance director for the City of Exeter.
Kairis described Tavarez as “a principled, productive and practical leader.”
“I look forward to leading the City’s exceptional staff as we deliver critical capital projects, foster business and residential development and maintain stability for the organization and the community we serve,” said Tavarez, who has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Fresno Pacific University and is a state certified public accountant and auditor-appraiser.
At the Jan. 5 community meet and greet, Tavarez emphasized the importance of addressing the city's existing challenges while pursuing new opportunities to provide the best quality of life for residents, visitors and businesses.
As the chief executive officer of the city, Tavarez would be responsible for overseeing the implementation and administration of City Council goals and policies, supervising the activities of all departments, enforcing city ordinances, and other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the City Council.
Tavarez will be sworn in as city manager on Thursday, Feb. 5 during a public ceremony at the civic auditorium.
