Richard Ramirez was hired as the Mountain House Community Services District's new interim general manager. Courtesy photo
Duzenski, a community employee for close to 10 years, has been the acting or interim general manager of Mountain House for nine months. She recently announced to the board that she was leaving to become the clerk of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors.
Director Bernice King Tingle said in a telephone interview Wednesday, Dec. 26, that the decision to hire Ramirez was approved by a 5-0 vote during a special board meeting Dec. 13, and a press release about the appointment was made public Wednesday.
Ramirez was chosen out of a pool of candidates provided by the recruiting firm of Peckham & McKenney, which is searching for a permanent general manager, Tingle said. The pool included candidates who were reportedly open to working on an interim basis.
“He interviewed right away and we decided that evening he would be the person to carry us through this piece,” Tingle said.
When asked why he stood out, she said Ramirez enjoys finance, strategic planning and going to work every day.
“As far as I’m concerned, those were three key things,” she said.
Ramirez said in a telephone interview Thursday, Dec. 27, that he would be working closely with the board, but he did not anticipate remaining on the job longer than four to six months.
“I’m a retired interim city manager and I enjoy doing organizational work and problem solving, strategic planning and team building work,” said the 60-year-old.
Ramirez is out of the office but is expected to be back in Mountain House on Jan. 8.
According to his résumé on the professional networking website LinkedIn, Ramirez markets himself, “Need Interim Will Travel.”
He is listed as having been assistant city manager in Sacramento for six years; city manager of Paso Robles on the Central Coast for five years; city manager of Hemet in Riverside County for a little over two years; and interim manager of American Canyon in Napa County for slightly over five years.
His most recent position was a six-month post as interim general manager in El Dorado Hills.
In a press release from Mountain House officials, Celeste Farron, president of the board, stated: “I will miss Mimi, but understand that this is a great career move for her. In the meantime we look forward to having Rich fill in as we recruit for a new GM.”
Duzenski has filled in as the Mountain House general manager during two periods in 2012. She was appointed as a temporary general manager in January following the retirement of Paul Sensibaugh, until the position was filled by ML Gordon in March. She has remained the interim general manager since Gordon was terminated by the board in August.
Tingle said Wednesday that she was sad to see Duzenski leave.
“I hate to see her go, but I’m so happy for her,” Tingle said. “She was a valuable part of the team. She stepped up to the plate on every turn. She did a stellar job.”
On Wednesday, Duzenski said she had mixed emotions about her departure.
“You leave not just the community, but you’re leaving the residents that you’ve grown to serve as well as the staff that you worked with for so long and worked so closely with,” she said.
Duzenski’s last day on the job is Friday, Dec. 28.
• Contact Denise Ellen Rizzo at 830-4225 or drizzo@tracypress.com.
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