Redwood City Names New Assistant City Manager of Development Services

The following is an announcement from the city of Redwood City:

City Manager Bob Bell announced Monday that Community Development Director Aaron Aknin has been promoted to Assistant City Manager effective immediately.

Aknin, who currently serves as the City of Redwood City’s Community Development Director will retain that position and continue to supervise the planning, building, and engineering services functions in the City. In addition to those duties, Aknin will oversee carrying out the current Downtown Precise Plan and continue developing and implementing the City’s community benefit program titled Partnership Redwood City. Aknin will also provide strategic leadership and advice to the City Manager and City Council on a variety of citywide and organizational wide initiatives.

“Redwood City is a very active and engaged community that demands strong leadership. Aaron has demonstrated this leadership in the community and the organization. He is very adept at listening to the needs and interests of the City Council and community and developing programs and processes that meet the needs of these stakeholders. He is respected in the organization and he will add tremendous value for the City Council, community and City Manager’s office in his new role.”

Prior to joining the City of Redwood City, Aknin served was the Assistant Director and Acting Director of Planning and Community Environment for the City of Palo Alto. Prior to that he was Community Development Director for the City of San Bruno and served as Assistant Planner for the City of San Carlos.

Aknin holds a Master of Public Policy from California State University Northridge and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from San Francisco State University. He’s a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), American Planning Association Member and Mentor, Urban Land Institute Member and International Conference of Shopping Centers Member (ICSC).