New Community Services Director Will Carry On The 'Temecula Way'

TEMECULA, CA — Erica Russo, after serving six months as the Interim Director of Community

Services is the newly promoted Director of Community Services, the City of Temecula reported this week.

Russo began her new assignment on Tuesday and will oversee all divisions of the Department, including Recreation, Sports, Aquatics, Contract Services and Programs, Special Events, Arts & Culture, Homeless Outreach, and Senior and Human Services.

The vacancy resulted from former Community Services Director Kevin Hawkins' promotion to Assistant City Manager in July.

With the city since 2008, Russo has held a variety of positions in her time there. She has served as Recreation Leader, Patron Services Coordinator, Senior Management Analyst, Community Services Superintendent and most recently serving as the Assistant Community Services Director.

Russo has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Philosophy and History from Wheeling Jesuit University and a Master of Science in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Writing and Communication from Green Mountain College.

City Manager Aaron Adams commented on Russo's performance in the interim role.

"From her Assistant Director position, Erica Russo has been filling in as the Interim Director of Community Services and is an invaluable addition to the Executive team. Moreover, as expected, she has done an impressive job through the transition."

According to Adams, Temecula is a city that focuses on succession planning, and the importance of carrying on the 'Temecula Way,' not just now but into the future. Russo fits that bill perfectly, he says.

"My hope is to promote from within when those opportunities arise," Adams wrote in a news release. "As such, with the full concurrence of the Mayor and City Council, I have great confidence in her ability to lead TCSD into the future."

The Community Services Director position offers health, dental, vision and life insurance benefits afforded to all other city employees and an annual salary range of $144,481 to $204,142.