John W. Donlevy, Jr., has worked in local government for approximately 38 years and brings a very broad municipal background including the areas of Personnel, Budget, Finance, Capital Projects, Redevelopment, Public Safety, Public Works, Emergency Management and General Administration.
He worked for the Cities of Auburn (2.5 years), Winters (19), Grand Terrace (7), Dana Point (4) and Pico Rivera (5). During his tenure in his communities, he has accomplished the following:
- 23 years as a City Manager working with elected officials on all levels of government; leading the city organization and serving as the key executive for the municipality in all aspects and levels.
- Strategic Planner with the successful development and implementation of organizational strategic plans which have been successfully implemented.
- Construction of numerous public and capital facilities including a library, public safety facility, parks, swimming pools, Downtown revitalization, road and capital facilities, water and wastewater, major ecological restoration and major improvements to public services.
- Financial management including budgeting and capital improvement planning; completed numerous bond financings, pension obligation bonding, award winning financial reporting and budgeting and the development of fiscal forecasting models and economics.
- Downtown economic development and revitalization.
- Planning and Community Development on all levels including general and specific plans, housing, annexation, and general policy development.
- Economic Development including hotel projects, major commercial and key collaborations on industrial and corporate development projects.
- Personnel and Employee Development on all levels and policy issues.
- Public Safety improvements and tasks including EMS/Fire Services, emergency management, collaborative police services contracting, combination fire department management and key staff development. Donlevy served almost 12 years on the Board for the Yolo Emergency Communications Agency.
- Public Works management including day to day in all aspects, capital management programs and best practices. Implementation of advanced management systems including SCADA and asset management.
- Technological and Modernization of each organization.
John has authored numerous articles and publications on local government management in the areas of intergovernmental contracting and privatization.
He sat on the Executive Board Member for the City Manager’s Department for the League of California Cities for 15 years, was a key leader in the Sacramento Division City Managers Group, had a long tenured position on the League’s Revenue and Taxation Committee and, locally, was the Chairman of the Yolo County Manager’s Association for 17 years.
John’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts from Whittier College and a Master’s in Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach.
John is a National Soccer Referee, an ultra-marathoner, avid cook and a pretty good golfer. He lives in both Auburn and Winters with his wife Kathy. He is a doting father and a recent grandfather.
He is Past President of the Rotary Club of Winters. In 2017, John and Kathy were named Winters Citizens of the Year! He is an avid Rotarian doing service projects throughout the Auburn and Winters communities and around the world. He feeds over 150 homeless at a local shelter twice a month.
John is a third generation City Manager with his father serving 5 California cities and his grandfather serving as the County Executive in Richmond, Virginia and as the County Manager for San Mateo County for 25 years
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS and Affiliations
Mr. Donlevy is a member of the International County/City Management Association (ICMA), California City Managers Foundation (CCMF) and Municipal Management Assistants of Southern California (MMASC).
Mr. Donlevy has served on or is serving on:
- Yolo Managers Group – Chairman
- League of California Cities – City Manager’s Executive Committee
- League of California Cities – Revenue and Taxation Committee
- Rotary International – Club President
- National AYSO and USSF – Soccer Referee
- Reason Foundation
Education
Mr. Donlevy received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Whittier College. He then earned his Master’s of Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach.
Professional ExperiencE
City Manager – City of Auburn, CA – August 2020 – January 2023
City Manager – City of Winters, CA – September 2021 – Present
Assistant City Manager – Grand Terrace, CA – June 1994 – September 2001
Principal Consultant – Donlevy Administrative Services – May 1993 – 2000
Assistant to the City Manager/Personnel Officer – Dana Point, CA – April 1989 – June 1993
Administrative Assistant II – City of Pico Rivera, CA – July 1986 – March 1989
Administrative Intern – City of Pico Rivera, CA – September 1984 – June 1986