It turns out that a nationwide search to fill a top role in Mayor Lee Brand’s administration was just down the hall. Today (April 20), Brand announced Wilma Quan-Schecter as new city manager. It is a promotion for Quan-Schecter, currently the assistant city manager.
She will replace the outgoing Bruce Rudd, who held the position since 2013 and plans to retire from his full-time capacity this summer. Quan-Schecter, according to the City of Fresno website, “brings over 20 years of planning, revitalization and development experience in both the private and public sectors to her work at the City of Fresno.” She is now the first female city manager in Fresno history.
Prior to her employment as assistant city manager, Quan-Schecter worked in the Downtown and Community Revitalization Department and, prior to joining the City, was the owner and principal planner of Planning Resource Associates, Inc., and spent six years at the California Department of Transportation. She also served for five years on the Tower District Design Review Committee and co-authored the Tower District Specific Plan Design Guidelines.
In her time as the assistant manager, Quan-Schecter, was credited as playing a critical role in Downtown development projects, particularly the Fulton Corridor project and activity surrounding the proposed arrival of High Speed Rail. She spearheaded a number of joint use agreements, including agreements with Fresno and Central Unified and Fresno Police Department.
She earned her Master’s of Business Administration at Fresno State, and her Bachelor’s Degree at Penn State after growing up in Pittsburgh.
Mayor Brand, in his statement, said, “Wilma is a world-class manager with experience in cutting-edge city planning and a reputation for building strong working relationships. I am confident in her ability to handle the challenges ahead and I know her broad experience in public policy will serve our city well.”
In addition to her own qualifications, Quan-Schecter is also one half of a Fresno ‘power couple,’ married to Fresno State political science professor, Dr. David Schecter. Together, they have two sons.
Contact Drew Phelps
Phone: 559-440-8321 / e-mail
This story was not subject to the approval of Granville Homes.
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Tobie Tyler
April 20, 2017 at 5:43 pm
An additional example of Lee Brand’s first term as Mayor really being the third term of Ashley Sweaengin. Prof. Schector worked in the Swearengin administration as her political advisor.