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Politics & Government

Napa Planning Manager Shifts Jobs as Development Director Retires

Rick Tooker moves from the planning department to the top spot at the community development department when Cassandra Walker retires Sept. 14, according to an announcement from the City of Napa.

 

Longtime director Cassandra Walker is retiring in September, to be replaced by current city planning manager Rick Tooker, according to a City of Napa announcement:

Effective September 15, 2012, Rick Tooker will assume the duties of Community Development Department (CDD) Director. Current CDD Director Cassandra Walker has announced her retirement effective September 14.

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“To be able to make a seamless transition like this is ideal,” said City Manager Mike Parness.

“We’re sorry to see Cass leave us. She has been an essential and valued member of the City management team, but having Rick ready to step into the position means we won’t miss a beat in that department.”

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An open recruitment will begin immediately with the goal of filling the Planning Manager position prior to Tooker’s move to the CDD Director position, said Parness.

Tooker joined the City of Napa staff as Planning Manager in August 2010. Previously he worked as the Planning and Building Director for the City of Healdsburg and the City of Calistoga.

Walker came to the City of Napa from the City of San Juan Capistrano in 1996 to oversee Economic Development and Redevelopment functions.

She played a vital role in the implementation of the Napa River Flood Project and numerous projects to revitalize Downtown Napa and to bring businesses and jobs to the City.

Source: City of Napa.

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