SIMI VALLEY : Ex-Deputy Manager Is Rehired by City

A former deputy city manager in Simi Valley who left to take a job elsewhere has been permanently rehired, City Manager Lin Koester has announced.

Donald Penman, who worked for Simi Valley from 1975 to 1982, will fill an open assistant city manager position.

Penman, 43, will be in charge of the city’s economic development programs, including efforts to attract a regional mall developer to the city. He will receive an annual salary of $87,156, plus benefits.

Penman left Simi Valley to take a job as city manager of the small city of San Fernando in Los Angeles County.

In 1990, he was hired as city manager for Baldwin Park, which later did away with the position. Penman returned to Simi Valley earlier this year as interim director of general services.

In announcing Penman’s hiring, Koester praised his ability to quickly reorient himself to the needs of Simi Valley.

“After watching Don again work with the city these past three months, I know that he has the ability and expertise to serve our city and our community well,” Koester said. “He has quickly earned the trust and respect of city staff and elected officials.”