ScottsdaleAZ.Gov

12-10-08 Release: David Richert named GM of Planning and Development Department

  Dec. 10, 2008

  Contact: Pat Dodds, Public Affairs Officer, (480) 312-2336

  Richert named GM of Planning and Development Department

David E. Richert, a former City of Phoenix executive with more than 36 years of experience in municipal management and planning, will become the new general manager of Scottsdale’s Planning and Development Department.

Richert’s appointment was announced Tuesday by Acting City Manager John C. Little. His first day in the new job will be Dec. 15.

“The breadth and depth of David’s experience is remarkable,” Little said. “He’s a great fit for a city with a long tradition of innovative planning, and his extensive knowledge of the region and experience working with state lands will serve Scottsdale well.”

Richert replaces Frank Gray, who resigned in June to become community and economic development director in Salt Lake City. Planning Administrator Connie Padian has served as acting general manager in the interim.

“Connie and the whole planning team have managed a number of difficult issues and shown tremendous dedication,” said Assistant City Manager David Ellison. “We appreciate the extra work they’ve done, and I know David Richert will be impressed with the quality of the people in his department and across the city.”

During his career with Phoenix, Richert spent 32 years in the Planning Department, beginning as a planner in 1972, becoming deputy planning director in 1985 and moving up to planning director in 1992.

He served in that position until 2004, working closely with citizens in Phoenix’s Village Planning process, overseeing the development of plans for six strategic growth areas and leading an update of Phoenix’s General Plan. During his tenure as director, the department’s special projects included the development of the Phoenician Resort, Kierland Commons, three Pointe projects, the Mayo Hospital, the Marriott Hotel at Desert Ridge and a range of enhancements to the city’s zoning codes, such as new parking and “big box” ordinances and impact fee updates. He worked closely with state officials on a number of high profile projects.

From 2005 through the spring of 2008, he was senior executive assistant to the city manager, overseeing eight departments and city functions. He was responsible for overseeing administration of the Phoenix Convention Center, the completion of the city’s Rio Salado project and coordination of the West Side Revitalization Project. Richert continued working with State Land officials to coordinate acquisition of state lands for Phoenix’s Sonoran Preserve and to coordinate infrastructure planning on state lands in the city.

Richert served as a member of Gov. Jane Hull’s Growing Smarter Oversight Council and as a member of the Working Advisory Committee of Gov. Hull’s Growing Smarter Commission.

Richert has a bachelor’s in landscape architecture from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and a master’s in public administration from Arizona State University. He also is a graduate of the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. He is a member of the American Planning Association and the Urban Land Institute.