Visalia extends offer for new city manager

The Visalia City Council has named Randy Groom as the chosen appointee for the position of City Manager following an extensive recruitment process. Details are being finalized, and the matter will come before council for final action in December.

Pending final approval, Groom is expected to begin his employment as City Manager in January, immediately following the departure of retiring City Manager Mike Olmos.

“We utilized an outside employment firm to conduct a nationwide search, and we had many qualified applicants,” said Warren Gubler, City of Visalia mayor. “With such a strong candidate pool, it was a difficult decision. We are confident that Randy, and the existing administration, will continue to lead the City of Visalia for the good of the entire community.”

Groom comes from the City of Exeter, where he has been serving as the City Manager since 2010. A graduate of Fresno State, Groom has over 30 years of local government experience and is no stranger to Visalia.

Groom originally served the City of Visalia for 18 years, ultimately holding the position of Deputy City Manager before departing the City in 2003. After working for several years in the private sector for The Hopper Company, Groom continued his career with the Visalia Unified School District as the Director of Administrative Services in 2006, and then accepted the position of City Manager with the City of Exeter in 2010.

“For me, this very much feels like coming home,” said Groom after having been notified of the Council’s decision. “Professionally, I was raised by the City of Visalia, and I have developed and maintained many strong working relationships in the City organization and in the community over the past 30 years. As with all cities, Visalia faces many challenges, but it is on a positive path with a very bright future.”