Sacramento City Manager Howard Chan has been named “City Manager of the Year” by the California City Management Foundation (CCMF).
CCMF President Ken Striplin announced the award Feb. 9 at the 2023 City Managers Conference in Carlsbad, Calif., hosted by the League of California Cities.
“CCMF gives its ‘City Manager of the Year’ Award to a city manager who provides exemplary leadership while delivering on important community initiatives,” the foundation said in a statement. “This year’s recipient has demonstrated extraordinary resilience, continuing to serve the best interests of constituents, despite facing targeted attacks and violent protests at his home.
“(Chan) has shown a unique ability to forge onward in the face of adversity, and has gained the trust and respect of city managers across the state,” the foundation continued. “Despite ample responsibility on his shoulders, he has continuously offered practical advice and support to fellow city leaders to improve government transparency and facilitate resident engagement.”
“I am humbled to receive this award and thankful for the overwhelming support the California City Management Foundation and leaders from other municipalities have shown me, my family and our entire city over the past few years,” Chan said. “I feel honored by this recognition and will continue to do everything I can to best serve everyone in the Sacramento community. I would be remiss if I didn’t also thank my team of over 5,000 hardworking, dedicated and talented employees at the City of Sacramento who made this recognition possible.”
CCMF is a professional organization for city managers. Its mission is to promote and encourage excellence in city management in all of California’s 480-plus incorporated cities and towns.
Chan was appointed City Manager in 2017, becoming the first Asian-American person to hold this role in Sacramento’s history. As City Manager, he is responsible for leading more than 5,000 employees and overseeing an annual budget of $1.4 billion. He has worked for the City of Sacramento for more than 20 years, a tenure that includes three years as an Assistant City Manager and more than a decade as Parking Services Manager.