El Cerrito City Manager To Retire After 17 Years Of Service

EL CERRITO, CA -- El Cerrito City Manager Scott Hanin announced Tuesday evening that he will retire in December after 17 years with the city. Hanin will be replaced by Karen Pinkos, the current assistant city manager, the City Council said.

Hanin joined the city of El Cerrito in March 2001 after serving in various local government roles in the cities of New York, Pasadena, other cities in west Contra Costa County, as well as consulting to public agencies throughout California.

“I am very proud of Scott’s many years as City Manager in El Cerrito. Scott’s leadership and vision have created a culture of trust and cooperation with the City Council, City staff, and the public,” said El Cerrito Mayor Gabriel Quinto in a press release. “He has had many accomplishments over 17 years, and I consider the building of our City Hall that gives our residents, businesses, and visitors a true civic center as one of the biggest highlights of his career."

City leaders praised Hanin for his efforts on improving the City's budget and financial reporting as well as upgrading the City's technology, public information, and infrastructure.

“It has been a great run here in El Cerrito and just seemed like the right time to step down and take a break to spend more time with my family,” Hanin said. “I have been lucky to have such dedicated City Councils to work with and an amazing City staff that continually raises the bar for public service.”

Pinkos, who will assume the role in December, has more than 20 years of local government management experience, according to a city press release. She has worked for the city of El Cerrito since September 2001.

Pinkos is an ICMA credentialed manager, holds a master of public administration and a bachelor of arts in political science from Oakland University, and is a graduate of the Kennedy School Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at Harvard University as well as the University of California at Berkeley Executive Program.

--Photo courtesy of City of El Cerrito