The Brea City Council recently tapped Kristin Griffith to be appointed Brea’s City Manager by unanimous vote.
Griffith has served as interim manager since December, when longtime City Manager Bill Gallardo retired.
As city manager, Griffith is the city’s chief administrative officer and is accountable to the City Council. The city manager also advises the council on policy items that affect the city organization and the community. She will also appoint the executive directors and ensures city services meet the highest standards, as determined by council policies.
Being a city manager is a huge responsibility, especially since the exec is responsible for the implementation of the city budget and assures it supports the council’s goals.
Griffith brings a ton of municipal financial experience with her.
“I am truly honored to be entrusted with the opportunity to lead such an exceptional community and organization,” Griffith said. “Serving as city manager is a tremendous responsibility, and I am committed to working closely with the City Council and the entire Brea community to ensure a thriving and prosperous future.”
In addition, Griffith is a member of the Orange County City Managers Association and the Integrated Law and Justice Agency of Orange County. She serves as treasurer for both organizations.
This appointment makes Griffith the first woman to serve as a Brea city manager in more than 100 years. She is also the 10th female now serving as a city manager in 10 of Orange County’s 34 incorporated cities. What about statewide?
Said Ken Pulskamp, executive director of the California City Management Foundation, “We did a survey of the city managers in the state and learned 24% are female, so it is not unusual at all.”
Something else not unusual is the success of another Brea 8K Classic presented by Brea Mall. Now in its 32nd year, the race was again a huge success.
“We had 2,288 registered for the 8K this year, and this compares to 1,862 last year,” a big increase, said Brea 8K Director Elizabeth Fuchs,
Besides the racers, Fuchs said they had 350 volunteers. Kim Beckley and I, representing Soroptimist of Brea/La Habra, were among those volunteers and spent a good part of the Saturday prior to the race registering the participants.
The annual race is a USATF sanctioned event and net profits from it benefit Brea Olinda High School’s band, choir and color guard. The Brea 8K is a major fundraiser for the three groups.
According to Fuchs approximately $50,000 was raised. She added that an annual budget of approximately $150,000 is needed to support the band, color guard and choir programs.
So who won the 5-mile race up and around Brea?
First over the finish line was Ryan Thompson of Corona. Next in was Alexandro Vielma of La Habra, and third to cross the finish line was Jose Murillo, also from La Habra.
Mayor Blair Stewart officially opened the race and was also a participant in it. The awards were presented by BOUSD Superintendent Brinda Leon and board members Joseph Covey, Deana Miller and Carrie Flanders.
It was another successful Brea event. Maybe you’ll run or walk it next year, right?
Terri Daxon is a freelance writer and the owner of Daxon Marketing Communications. She gives her perspective on Brea issues twice a month. Contact her at daxoncomm@gmail.com.
