Ellen Clark Appointed Community Development Director: Pleasanton

PLEASANTON, CA — The City of Pleasanton announced Tuesday the appointment of Ellen Clark as its new director of community development effective December 2, 2019.

Gerry Beaudin held the director position prior, but left the post in August for a spot as assistant city manager for the City of Alameda.

Since 2017, Clark has served as Pleasanton’s deputy director of community development with oversight of the city’s planning division. During her tenure with the city, she's worked on planning projects like the Downtown Specific Plan Update, Workday’s headquarters, the Stoneridge Shopping Center Phase I renovation, and the Tri-Valley Housing Legislative Framework.

In her new role, Clark will manage a department budget of $10.6 million and oversee the city’s planning, traffic engineering, building and safety services including inspections, code enforcement and permit center business.

Upcoming city council priority projects Clark will oversee include developing a framework for the Stoneridge Shopping Center, East Pleasanton Specific Plan, and updating the City’s housing element as Pleasanton addresses emerging state housing mandates.

According to the city, Clark has nearly two decades of planning experience. Prior to working for the City of Pleasanton, she was the planning director for the Town of Moraga and principal planner for the Town of Mammoth Lakes.

“Throughout the highly competitive application process, Ellen consistently distinguished herself as someone with broad and extensive experience in the field of community development,” said Pleasanton City Manager Nelson Fialho. “I am confident she will continue to seamlessly work with the community, Planning Commission, and City Council on all development related matters.”

Clark is a graduate of the University of Cambridge, England, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and the American Planning Association.

In her director role, Clark's annual salary will be $197,916.