Council Names Hildabrand New City Manager

We’re glad that after looking far and wide for a new Carlsbad City Manager that the best person for the job was already doing it.

Lisa E. Hildabrand, 52, has been the interim city manager for the past eight months but now she’s official.

Hiring a City Manager is one of the few hiring decisions that the City Council gets to make, and we are proud to announce that we have selected Lisa Hildabrand as Carlsbad’s City Manager,” wrote Lewis in an e-mail to city staff on Wednesday, May 7. “We have been continually impressed with her steady, thoughtful leadership. Lisa has the intellect, personality, and enthusiasm to lead Carlsbad’s staff through the challenging times that lie ahead,” said Lewis.

“The City Council believes Lisa will provide the direction the City needs now and in the future. Lisa’s appointment will enable the City to continue its legacy of sound financial management, stable leadership and forward-thinking programs and policies that have made Carlsbad great.”

Congratulations, Lisa.

City of Carlsbad

1200 Carlsbad Village Drive

Carlsbad, CA 92008

May 7, 2008

CITY COUNCIL APPOINTS CITY MANAGER

Lisa E. Hildabrand has been appointed as City Manager for the City of Carlsbad, California, according to Mayor Claude A. “Bud” Lewis. The Mayor and City Council made the decision during a closed session discussion on May 6. Hildabrand will be sworn in during the May 13 City Council meeting.

“Hiring a City Manager is one of the few hiring decisions that the City Council gets to make, and we are proud to announce that we have selected Lisa Hildabrand as Carlsbad’s City Manager,” wrote Lewis in an e-mail to city staff on Wednesday, May 7. “We have been continually impressed with her steady, thoughtful leadership. Lisa has the intellect, personality, and enthusiasm to lead Carlsbad’s staff through the challenging times that lie ahead,” said Lewis.

“The City Council believes Lisa will provide the direction the City needs now and in the future. Lisa’s appointment will enable the City to continue its legacy of sound financial management, stable leadership and forward-thinking programs and policies that have made Carlsbad great.”

Lewis said that her salary and benefits package are still being negotiated.

Hildabrand had been serving as the Interim City Manager for the past eight months, following the retirement of long-time city manager Ray Patchett. She had been serving the city as the Assistant City Manager since September 2005.

Previously Lisa held the position of Finance Director for the city of Carlsbad for nearly 14 years. In this role, she was responsible for the operations of the Finance Department including planning, organizing and directing the city’s general accounting and financial reporting systems, internal and external audit programs, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, purchasing and revenue analysis and collections. In addition, the Finance Department is responsible for the preparation of the City’s operating and capital budgets and for the management of debt issues.

“During her term as Finance Director, Lisa provided sound, reliable guidance during both good times and bad, and we have come to rely and trust her counsel,” said Lewis.

Hildabrand helped shepherd the city through the challenging times of the early 1990s and again in 2003 when state fiscal woes threatened city funding levels. She initiated the city’s practice of 10 year budget forecasting, which has widely been attributed to keeping Carlsbad financially solvent while other cities in the region have suffered deep financial woes.

Prior to joining the City, Hildabrand spent eight years with the accounting firm of KPMG in their San Diego office. She is also a CPA in the state of California.

Hildabrand lives in Scripps Ranch with her husband and two daughters.

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