Santa Fe public works, family services directors announce upcoming departures
The city of Santa Fe announced the upcoming departures of two high-level employees at public meetings this week: the directors of Youth and Family Services and Public Works.
After nine years with the city, Youth and Family Services Director Julie Sanchez will leave July 4 for a new role at the state, where she will serve as a director of planning policy and special projects in the Department of Aging and Long-Term Services.
Community Services Director Henri Hammond-Paul announced Sanchez's resignation Wednesday to city councilors on the Quality of Life Committee.
'We're incredibly excited by what's next for her and seeing her continue to thrive, but we're also heartbroken that she'll no longer be with us," he said.
Sanchez's portfolio includes most of the city's social services work, including homelessness and housing efforts, violence prevention, early child care and eviction prevention. The department received millions of dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Public Works Director Regina Wheeler announced at a Public Works and Utilities Committee meeting Monday she will retire in January. Wheeler has been with the city since July 2018.
Wheeler said it's been an honor to serve the city, and she believes her department will be in good hands after she leaves.
'You have a great public works team that is doing incredible work. They're just a machine,' she said. 'I think with the knowledge the governing body has about where investments are needed, it's just set up for success in the long run.'
The two departures create the need for additional job searches at a time when the city is recruiting for a number of top positions, including public utilities director, affordable housing director, risk manager and equity and inclusion director.
Regina Wheeler headshot (copy)
Regina Wheeler
The city also is searching for a new airport manager, as former manager James Harris' last day was Friday. He announced last month he was stepping down to serve as manager of the Waco Regional Airport in Texas.
Former airport security coordinator Jimmy Gunn will serve as interim manager while the city searches for Harris' successor, city spokesperson Regina Ruiz said Thursday.
The city last month hired Elisa Montoya as the new community development director following a vacancy of nearly 10 months, and City Manager Mark Scott said Tuesday he believes the city is 'really close' to hiring a new deputy city manager following the previous deputy's departure in January.
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