Palm Springs names former Anaheim city manager as interim leader

The Palm Springs City Council has appointed former Anaheim City Manager James “Jim” Vanderpool as interim city manager, following the retirement of City Manager Scott Stiles.

Vanderpool will begin work Thursday to work alongside Stiles before Stiles’ retirement takes effect Nov. 1.

The council is also recruiting a permanent city manager and has selected Bob Murray & Associates, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in local government leadership in California, to lead the search. The city expects the search to take four to six months.

Vanderpool served as Anaheim city manager from September 2020 until his resignation in February. Before that, he was Buena Park’s city manager for eight years.

The Anaheim City Council voted unanimously Feb. 3 to accept his resignation. Deputy City Manager Greg Garcia became acting city manager.

The resignation followed questions about why Vanderpool did not disclose a 2020 Anaheim Chamber of Commerce-paid trip to Lake Havasu, which took place shortly before city officials voted to finalize the Angel Stadium sale, Voice of OC reported. The questions arose after a January article about the trip.

Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken led a closed-session questioning of Vanderpool about the trip the week before he resigned, Voice of OC reported. It was the first time council members had officially questioned him about his ties to resort interests.

Palm Springs Mayor Naomi Soto said the council took the Anaheim circumstances into account.

“The Palm Springs City Council carefully considered Jim’s extensive qualifications, professional experience, and the circumstances surrounding his Anaheim resignation,” Soto said. “We believe his decades of municipal leadership, experience managing complex city operations, and understanding of tourism-driven economies make him well qualified to serve Palm Springs at this moment.”

She added: “Jim brings the experience and collaborative leadership needed to guide our organization. Our priority is to maintain momentum, support our City employees, and ensure residents, businesses, and visitors continue receiving the high level of service they expect and deserve.”

Vanderpool has more than 30 years of municipal government experience. In Anaheim, he oversaw an organization with 3,000 employees and a $2 billion annual budget, serving 350,000 residents, 25 million annual visitors and 20,000 businesses.

During his tenure, the city built a new fire station, with another under construction, and saw the expansion of the Disneyland Resort and continued development of the OCVIBE project. Sworn police officers increased from 356 to 430.

Vanderpool started his municipal career in 1995 as an administrative aide in Buena Park’s public works maintenance department. He later served as assistant to the city manager, administrative manager and deputy city manager/director of human resources before becoming city manager.

In Palm Springs, he will oversee day-to-day operations and work with the City Council and executive team on priorities including public safety, housing, economic development and infrastructure. Capital projects include renovating the Palm Springs Public Library, modernizing and expanding the Palm Springs Convention Center and making long-range improvements at Palm Springs International Airport.

Vanderpool holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Purdue University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. He is a former president of the Orange County City Managers Association and a former adjunct professor at California State University, Fullerton.

“I am honored by the confidence the Palm Springs City Council has placed in me and excited for the opportunity to serve such an exceptional, welcoming, and diverse community,” Vanderpool said. “… On a personal note, my husband and I are pleased to call Palm Springs home during my time as Interim City Manager.”

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