Council Appoints David H. Ramsay New City Manager

Like his predecessor, Glendale’s new city manager turns out to be the guy next door.

David H. Ramsay, who has served as deputy and assistant city manager of Glendale for more than four years, on Monday will move to the adjoining office of his retiring boss, James M. Rez.

Ramsay, 41, was selected from among more than 25 applicants from throughout California. He was one of seven finalists interviewed by the Glendale City Council, which announced its selection Tuesday.

Ramsay has been a Glendale city employee for 11 years and follows in the footsteps of Rez, 62, who will retire Friday after 30 years with the city.

“It’s nice to see somebody you brought into the fold” selected to the top city position, Rez told the council Tuesday after members bade him farewell during Rez’s last public meeting.

Rez was the assistant city manager when he was selected in 1983 from more than 60 candidates nationwide to replace former manager Hugh McKinley.

The selection of Ramsay was applauded Tuesday by council members, onlookers, his family and a group of City Hall workers as his 18-month-old daughter, Allison, interjected squeals of delight. Ramsay’s wife, Robin, and their 3-year-old daughter, Jessica, also were on hand to applaud.

Ramsay came to the city in 1977 as an administrator in employee training and served as assistant personnel director before joining the city manager’s staff. He had worked for the city of Pasadena from 1974 to 1977.

Born and raised in Seattle, he holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Washington and a master’s degree in public administration from USC.

He served as a volunteer in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone in western Africa from 1969 to 1972.