Palm Springs Appoints Interim City Manager

PALM SPRINGS, CA — The Palm Springs City Council has appointed former Anaheim City Manager James "Jim" Vanderpool as interim city manager following the retirement of Scott Stiles.

Vanderpool is scheduled to start Thursday, overlapping briefly with Stiles before his official departure Nov. 1 to ensure an orderly transition. The City Council has hired executive search firm Bob Murray & Associates to lead a nationwide recruitment effort for a permanent replacement, a process expected to take four to six months.

Vanderpool brings more than three decades of municipal administration experience in Southern California. Most recently, he led Anaheim from September 2020 until February, overseeing a $2 billion budget and 3,000 employees in a city centered on tourism, major entertainment venues, and convention business. Before his time in Anaheim, he served eight years as city manager of Buena Park, where he first began his local government career in 1995.

Vanderpool resigned from Anaheim earlier this year amid disagreements with the mayor over administrative direction and a California Fair Political Practices Commission complaint, though he retained the support of the remaining city council members.

"The Palm Springs City Council carefully considered Jim's extensive qualifications, professional experience, and the circumstances surrounding his Anaheim resignation," Mayor Naomi Soto said. "We believe his decades of municipal leadership, experience managing complex city operations, and understanding of tourism-driven economies make him well qualified to serve Palm Springs at this moment."

As interim city manager, Vanderpool will direct day-to-day operations and help oversee major civic initiatives, including upgrades to the Palm Springs Public Library, modernizations at the Palm Springs Convention Center, and capital improvements at Palm Springs International Airport.

"Palm Springs is a world-class destination known not only for its beauty and vibrant economy, but also for its proud tradition of inclusivity," Vanderpool said. "My focus will be on providing steady, collaborative leadership, supporting the city's employees, and working closely with the City Council and community to maintain momentum."

Vanderpool holds a bachelor's degree in public administration from Purdue University and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. He is also a former president of the Orange County City Managers Association.