New Assistant City Manager Named In Palm Springs

PALM SPRINGS, CA — The former city manager of Selma, California, an agricultural community of just under 25,000 residents, was named Monday Palm Springs' new assistant city manager.

Teresa Gallavan, who served as city manager in Selma from 2018-2021, will start the Palm Springs role mid-November, according to the city.

Gallavan has an extensive history in government, having previously served as the interim city manager of Lompoc and working for the Riverside County Economic Development Agency for 15 years, seven of which were served as the agency's marketing & cultural services manager, according to Palm Springs public information officer Amy Blaisdell.

"I am thrilled to be bringing Teresa on to join our team. This is an important position that plays a key role in leading the organization and working on some of the most important policy issues," City Manager Justin Clifton said in a statement. "I am grateful we have found a thoughtful, experienced leader who I am confident will hit the ground running."

Gallavan holds a masters of business administration from Cal State San Bernardino as well as a bachelor's degree in Spanish from UC Irvine.

"Over the past several years, Palm Springs has experienced a tremendous renaissance and I am thrilled to join the team and help Palm Springs continue to prosper post-COVID," said Gallavan.

"With a background in economic development, I look forward to promoting the iconic Palm Springs brand and destination and I am incredibly excited to work with the city manager, council and staff moving forward."

She will take over for Marcus Fuller, who stepped down from the position this year to become the city manager of Rialto.