Palo Alto City Manager James Keene went well outside Silicon Valley to hire the latest addition to his leadership team, tapping Michelle Poché Flaherty to serve as one of his two new deputies.
Keene announced Monday that he has selected Flaherty for the position, which comes with a $195,000 salary. She currently serves as director of performance, strategy and innovation for the Architect of the Capitol, a federal agency charged with preserving and maintaining the historic buildings, monuments and parks on the Capitol campus in Washington, D.C.
Before that, she had served as the organizational development manager for the city of Rockville, Maryland, where she launched a new development program for senior managers, created a leadership training program for supervisors and led "organization-wide employee efforts to both improve productivity and strengthen innovation and accountability," according to the city announcement.
A California native with more than 25 years of experience in public agencies, Flaherty is one of two new deputy managers joining Keene's department this summer. In May, Keene announced that he is promoting Rob de Geus, director of the Community Services Department, to a deputy city manager position.
While de Geus will be leading the office's external efforts, with a focus on neighborhood issues, the business community and programs like the Cool Block challenge and Smart City programs, Flaherty will be charged with improving efficiencies and interdepartmental coordination within the City Hall organization. The City Council approved both new positions last fall.
Keene said in a statement that Flaherty's "experience in organizational development and building high performing employee teams will be a valuable asset to this position that requires working across departments throughout the City." Flaherty is a certified executive coach who authored the International City Management Association's textbook on supervisory skills for high-performing teams.
"Her leadership roles in county government, federal agencies, as well as with local government here in Silicon Valley provide a unique perspective into both the complex needs of a large organization, as well as how to connect with the community," Keene said.
Before joining Rockville in 2006, she served as assistant county manager for Washoe County in Reno, Nevada. Prior to that, she held a series of public policy positions in California. She served as field representative for former Congressman Norman Mineta and, upon Mineta's appointment to Secretary of Transportation, joined his office as a deputy chief of staff.
In 1999, she was tapped by the governor to be the San Francisco Bay Area regional director of the California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency. Just prior to that, she served as chief of staff for Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian, who recently returned to that role after a stint as a state assemblyman and senator in Sacramento.
In a statement, Flaherty called Palo Alto "a very special community" and said the city's management team is "among the highly regarded in the country." She called joining the team a "genuine privilege."
"I've missed California and especially the valley, from its diverse cultural heritage to its entrepreneurial spirit, and I'm thrilled to be coming home."
Comments
Embarcadero Oaks/Leland
on Jul 17, 2017 at 5:56 pm
on Jul 17, 2017 at 5:56 pm
Why does Keene need yet another assistant?
Keene makes far too much money for what is a less than full time position.
Far too much vacation time, too.
Crescent Park
on Jul 17, 2017 at 6:00 pm
on Jul 17, 2017 at 6:00 pm
Bloat.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jul 17, 2017 at 8:04 pm
on Jul 17, 2017 at 8:04 pm
More bloat and no reference at all to financial management, designing and delivering cost-effective services, cutting govt. waste, cutting govt. spending, contract management, etc. at a time when we've got a budget deficit and huge unfunded pension liabilities.
We're drowning in policy, strategy, innovation and other "smart" hoohah but are not smart enough to figure out the basics, How about figuring out how to deliver the basic services that we need and forgetting about the rest for a change?
Crescent Park
on Jul 17, 2017 at 8:43 pm
on Jul 17, 2017 at 8:43 pm
I want smart, dedicated people running my city. Welcome to town, Michelle!
Menlo Park
on Jul 17, 2017 at 11:11 pm
on Jul 17, 2017 at 11:11 pm
Having two deputy assistant managers will allow Mr. Keene an added opportunity to step out and attend conferences and seminars pertaining to municipal governance and fiscal management. They will also enable him to strengthen Palo Alto's global identity via periodic travel to other mid-sized cities both domestic and around the world to share various insights with other city officials.
Palo Altans are fortunate to reside in such an affluent city that can afford three city Managers. The City Council apparently approved these personnel decisions as they are in theory, representative of the city's best interests and municipal evolution. To question this personnel measure would be to question the City Council's decision-making process and understanding of the city's needs. Having three city managers to focus on its daily and long-term perspectives is reflective of a progressive city moving forward in the new millennium. It will also allow Mr. Keene to delegate each City Manager with specific duties in areas of responsibility based on their individual skill-sets and/or various interests.
At $195,000.00 per year + PERS benefits (times 2) + Mr. Keene's salary and benefit package, Palo Alto residents now have a dynamic city management team that other cities can only imagine or envy.
Barron Park
on Jul 18, 2017 at 12:22 am
on Jul 18, 2017 at 12:22 am
[Post removed.]
Palo Verde
on Jul 18, 2017 at 2:59 am
on Jul 18, 2017 at 2:59 am
^ Looks like pure satire to me.
College Terrace
on Jul 18, 2017 at 11:35 am
on Jul 18, 2017 at 11:35 am
Congratulations!
Good selection Jim.
Well qualified.
Make Palo Alto Greatest Again!
Respectfully
Menlo Park
on Jul 18, 2017 at 11:43 am
on Jul 18, 2017 at 11:43 am
[Post removed.]
Menlo Park
on Jul 18, 2017 at 11:47 am
on Jul 18, 2017 at 11:47 am
[Post removed.]
Downtown North
on Jul 18, 2017 at 12:57 pm
on Jul 18, 2017 at 12:57 pm
There is a rumor (unsubstantiated) that Mr. Keene may be leaving shortly and that one of the deputy positions may not be permanent, but to enable stability in a transition. Any news on that, or must we always hear about key personnel departing just a heartbeat before there is a vacant seat in need of high quality, immediate replacement?
another community
on Jul 18, 2017 at 1:29 pm
on Jul 18, 2017 at 1:29 pm
In addition to the City Manager and the two Deputy City Managers, there is an Assistant City Manager (higher paid than the deputies), Ed Shikada. Not sure if there any Assistant(s) to the City Manager.
University South
on Jul 18, 2017 at 2:08 pm
on Jul 18, 2017 at 2:08 pm
Keene wants the Fire Dept to cut their budget by 1 million, but can fine the money to hire a 200k Deputy Manager. Sad.
Old Palo Alto
on Jul 18, 2017 at 3:14 pm
on Jul 18, 2017 at 3:14 pm
Oh well.... Year after year of city deficit budgets have all but diminished city services. Maybe the city council has no idea how to rein in costs or maybe have just lost hope. The city manager was hired to administer budget needs but has lost touch with residents and city needs. Hiring an extraordinary number of managers in an attempt to give the illusion that all is well hasn't worked in the private sector and has brought bankruptcy and fiscal ruin to California cities. Perhaps it is time to hire a city manager who can focus on city and residents needs instead of delegating time in convincing city council that he is overwhelmed in his duties.
Registered user
College Terrace
on Jul 18, 2017 at 3:52 pm
Registered user
on Jul 18, 2017 at 3:52 pm
This new person's resume is impressive, but that's hardly the issue. The issue is that we have an absurdly large management model for a city our size AND an even more absurd unfunded pension liability. Our City Manager should be looking for ways to minimize that instead of adding people to the load. For years we have been told that we need to pay high to attract the best. And we've done that. So why do we need to keep adding to the roster? Shouldn't the best of the best (+ all the consultants, presumably also the best) be able to get done what is required?
I am not being sarcastic. I am curious. What is the justification for all the hiring? Should City Hall perhaps reconsider it's Friday policy and instead work 5 days/week every week?
Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jul 18, 2017 at 5:03 pm
on Jul 18, 2017 at 5:03 pm
There are other, LARGER Bay Area cities with more financial issues than Palo Alto.
Those other cities have city managers who work for 30-50% less money, work five days a week , get no car allowance (though they may be paid mileage on their own car), get no zero interest fown payment on a house, and have 0-1 assistants or deputies.
Nor do any of them get several weeks vacation per year! Try more like 3-4 weeks maximum.
Keene is just too expensive to keep. Anyone else, anywhere else, who was so very highly paid for so little work-- and requiring so much " assistance", would be fired pronto!
Downtown North
on Jul 18, 2017 at 5:04 pm
on Jul 18, 2017 at 5:04 pm
" Having two deputy assistant managers will allow Mr. Keene an added opportunity to step out..."
Mark Silverman is either a cynic, or a veteran observer of PA city hall.
Crescent Park
on Jul 18, 2017 at 6:34 pm
on Jul 18, 2017 at 6:34 pm
Ah yes, after taking on one deputy, now a second deputy for PA City (pop. ~67,000) Manager Keene. Tell us, is Second Deputy Poche Flaherity to chair a Committee on Committees?
I suppose Keen has to keep up with PA City Attorney Stump, who besides various law firm counsel for important matters, has:
a Principal City Attorney;
an Assistant City Attorney;
three Senior Deputy City Attorneys; and
a Deputy City Attorney.
Oh, and a "Legal Fellow" (whatever that is in PA City's non-academic setting); a Senior Management Analyst; 2 secretaries and an investigator.
Can a "Management Fellow" for Keene be far off?
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jul 18, 2017 at 6:45 pm
on Jul 18, 2017 at 6:45 pm
There is so much going wrong in Palo Alto that
you don't even know where to begin to respond to
something like this. This is absurd.What is needed
in Palo Alto is a redirection,reshuffling of
priorities,accountability of employees, not
improved efficiencies to create more wreakage
of the City.If anybody doubted the need for recall
of at least several of the City Council members
this article should convince them.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jul 18, 2017 at 7:15 pm
on Jul 18, 2017 at 7:15 pm
@table of others
That is one impressive list of helpers for the City Attorney, what trouble could we be in?
Is there a list of cases? Or do we sit quiet and just pay the bills?
Or is this run of the mill legal stuff...
Menlo Park
on Jul 18, 2017 at 7:16 pm
on Jul 18, 2017 at 7:16 pm
It's called 'empire building'. This practice also occurs in various companies as well. As long as there are financial resources + funding approval, new staffing positions will always be added to lighten the workload of senior managers and directors.
$195K+ PERS won't cover a new fire engine and/or additional firefighters so why not ostensibly direct it towards internal personnel? After a few weeks of disgruntlement by a handful of concerned residents, things will eventually quiet down and life in PA will go on as usual.
It's called the Palo Alto Way and its ramifications should come as no surprise to anyone who has lived in PA for awhile. Besides you folks are the ones electing the city officials who promote and approve these fiscal decisions.
Blaming the city officials/management is kind of like blaming a dog for running out in the street.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jul 18, 2017 at 7:34 pm
on Jul 18, 2017 at 7:34 pm
It's also called maximizing your retirement package since often for govt. employees their bonuses and total comp are based on their budgets. There was a fairly horrifying article recently about the huge bonuses awarded to Mountain View officials AFTER they approved the Google expansion plans and had to staff up to supervise the expansion.
It's why Palo Alto once had a night-time police dispatcher making $300,000 (including over-time) the year she retired. I used to joke that her rudeness was included.
Registered user
Midtown
on Jul 18, 2017 at 7:37 pm
Registered user
on Jul 18, 2017 at 7:37 pm
I fail to see how her resume/background jibes with her stated job description.
Barron Park
on Jul 18, 2017 at 7:42 pm
on Jul 18, 2017 at 7:42 pm
I watched the budget meeting on TV... Tanaka (esp.) and Filseth were the only ones to complain about the City Manager's office bloat. The rest of the council had no problem going along with staff's recommendation. This out of control spending makes me so mad!
another community
on Jul 18, 2017 at 8:13 pm
on Jul 18, 2017 at 8:13 pm
I guess our City Manager is overworked hiring people to do his job. Given his salary, why does he need two ass't managers. That is outrageous. If the rumors are true that he may leave, then he should have the guts to stand up and say I will be leaving at such a time. I resent his using much needed tax dollares to hire people (qualifed as they may be) to do his job while he deliberates his own future at our expense.
From reading the comments - I am not alone in being bothered that given his salary, he hires people at high salaries to do his job. Mr. Keene needs to make his deision by a date within at lest 2 months and then hire...... not hire first. If he doesn't want to make a decision within a resonable amount of time, then the council needs to make the decision for him. And under no circumstnces should he be albe to hire another assistant, as I said, no matter how qualified. We can't afford this person with all the projects in need of our money. It is our dollars he is spending . I could be wrong, but as far as I know did someone or did the CC approve his hiring another assistant with out dropping his salary since they will be doing the his work. They are assistants to the city manager - so they do city manager type tasks with a city manager supervisor
Meadow Park
on Jul 18, 2017 at 8:41 pm
on Jul 18, 2017 at 8:41 pm
I'm sure Michelle has much to offer City of Palo Alto. However, I see little value to the city in expanding Keene's costly entourage of 'yes' people. I think those funds (salary + benefits + what ever percs there are) could be better spent.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jul 18, 2017 at 9:41 pm
on Jul 18, 2017 at 9:41 pm
The out of control hiring of high paid administrative deputies, assistants, while traffic
enforcement has been cut,the installation of
street hazards such as at Jordan School,continuing
over-development causing a worsening jobs/housing imbalance and worsening traffic congestion,
require that the citizens seek immediate court-ordered injunctive relief against an out of control
city government which is causing present and
long-term harm to the public.
Barron Park
on Jul 19, 2017 at 11:44 am
on Jul 19, 2017 at 11:44 am
Article says position was approved by city council almost a year ago.
Could more awareness of it then have made views expressed post facto more relevant. Now all the negatives seem like closing the barn door ..........
Since we do now have a new talented person on board it would be great if the news paper & others, like council members etc., could describe in down to earth terms what is to be accomplished that has lagged or had lagged & for is now achievable.
Palo Verde
on Jul 19, 2017 at 2:52 pm
on Jul 19, 2017 at 2:52 pm
English Major (UCSB). Garrison Keillor would be proud.
Downtown North
on Jul 19, 2017 at 8:18 pm
on Jul 19, 2017 at 8:18 pm
"...describe in down to earth terms what is to be accomplished that has lagged or had lagged & for is now achievable."
A satisfied city manager with an expanded court, whose salary must now be raised because he has another employee reporting to him.