St. Helena Hires New City Manager

Press release from the City of St. Helena:

June 9, 2022

ST. HELENA, CA – Mayor Geoff Ellsworth has announced that at its June 14, 2022 regular public meeting the St. Helena City Council will consider the approval of a three-year employment agreement with Mr. Anil Comelo to succeed Mark Prestwich as St. Helena’s new permanent City Manager.

Napa County resident and retired City Manager Jim McCann has served as the City’s Interim City Manager during this transitional period.

Mr. Comelo is a seasoned veteran in Bay Area municipal services, with significant hands-on experience in budgeting and financial management, organizational development and strategic planning. He also brings a strong foundation in Human Resources management and community engagement and communications. Over the course of his 25 year career in public service, Comelo has worked with agencies including the Cities of Beverly Hills, Oakland and San Rafael. He presently serves as the Deputy City Manager with the City of Richmond.

Mayor Ellsworth said, “Mr. Comelo was the City Council's unanimous choice and brings both a broad administrative skill set and community sensitivity that will complement and further the work done under the Council, Mark Prestwich and Jim McCann to strengthen the City's administrative infrastructure and enhance responsiveness in local governance.”

Vice Mayor Paul Dohring said he is pleased to welcome Mr. Comelo as our next City Manager.

“He is a results-oriented leader with the right combination of vision, enthusiasm and experience to help us advance a very ambitious work plan.”

Dohring also thanked Jim McCann for stepping in as Interim City Manager.

“Jim has served our city admirably and gained the respect of many.”

McCann added that Mr. Comelo will bring professional capability, along with great energy, an impressive intellect, broad and highly relevant experience and a genuine and engaging style. “I think that Anil will connect well with the community and staff and be able to quickly and thoughtfully assist the City Council in accomplishing many critically important and exciting community-needed projects and initiatives.”

“I am thrilled to be joining the St. Helena team and am looking forward to methodically tackling long-range projects, and ensuring progress on Council priorities, while working to preserve the lifestyle enjoyed by residents,” said Anil Comelo.

Mr. Comelo lives in Orinda, and expects to relocate to Napa County. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Masters of Public Administrations in Public Policy and Organizational Change from California State University, East Bay. Comelo will begin his work in St. Helena on July 26, 2022.

This press release was produced by the City of St. Helena. The views expressed here are the author's own.