Getting to know Lodi’s new deputy city manager
There is a new deputy in town — deputy city manager that is.
Andrew C. Keys will assume his role as Lodi’s deputy city manager on March 27. In that role, he will be responsible for planning, coordinating and organizing the overall administrative functions of the city under the direction of the city manager.
He will also be responsible for providing direction, management and coordination of activities for the human resources, budget/revenue/ treasury, financial services, and information systems divisions, and representing the city in employee relations.
According to City Manager Steve Schwabauer, Keys made it through a very extensive interview process and managed to stand out from all the other candidates.
“Mr. Keys had the most experience across the broad platform of the general fund budget and had the most exposure to accounting practices and obviously he came with a strong resume,” Schwabauer said. “He’s had an impressive line of advancement within his career. He served in the deputy city manager classification on an interim basis for the better part of the year and he came with really impeccable references from both his senior and subordinate staff.”
Keys has spent almost a decade working for the City of Elk Grove in various positions, with his most recent being the budget manager. He also served as interim deputy city manager for a stint while the deputy city manager was on maternity leave.
Prior to his career with the City of Elk Grove, Keys spent a little over a year working for a public finance company as a financial advisor for government agencies. He holds an undergraduate degree in international relations and a MBA from UC Davis. Over the course of his career, Keys has received the distinguished budget presentation award, and has served as secretary for the Municipal Management Association of Northern California as well as Sacramento chapter chair for the California Society Municipal Finance Officers.
As the new deputy city manager, Keys hopes to build on Lodi’s strong sense of community and continue providing excellent service for the city while taking on the big challenge the city faces with pensions.
Keys saw the deputy city manager position as a growth opportunity and a chance to work for a city with a significant history as an established community.
“I’m looking forward to being part of such a wonderful team. I’m very excited to join
an accomplished group,” Keys said. “I had a chance to meet them through the interview process. I’ve had a number of conversations with Steve. I got to meet members of the council Wednesday night and I just think it’s a really good group of professionals that are there on staff level.”