San Mateo City Manager Announces Retirement

San Mateo City Manager Susan Loftus announced this week that she will retire from her post in November.

Loftus came to San Mateo as Economic Development Manager in 1987 and has always found the community to be a perfect fit.

“San Mateo has it all,” she said. “A diverse community, engaged residents, healthy business districts, strong Council, and committed employees that care about the residents and businesses they serve.”

“Serving as San Mateo’s City Manager during the last five years has been both an honor and a challenge,” Loftus said.

“After accepting the City Manager position in the summer of 2008, no one could have imagined the economic downturn which occurred. I am proud of the accomplishments of the City Council, executive team and organization during this time. With resident support of a temporary sales tax measure and combined with substantial budget restructuring, we have made significant progress in meeting our financial sustainability goals. I feel the timing is right to retire. I believe I am leaving the City in a good place to move forward.”

“It is with a sincere sense of appreciation that I wish Susan well in her retirement,” said San Mateo Mayor David Lim.

“Susan has served the Citizens of San Mateo honorably and effectively for over 25 years. Her time as City Manager came during the worst recession in over 80 years. Through Susan's steady leadership, she helped keep the City on a solid financial footing without sacrificing core services. The Legacy of Susan Loftus is that she has left the City of San Mateo well poised for great things as we head into the 21st century. The City Council and residents of San Mateo are forever grateful for her service and wish her well in all future endeavors.”

During her tenure as City Manager, Loftus worked with the City Council to enhance community engagement and outreach, set policies to plan for an environmentally and fiscally sustainable future, and strengthened and improved City facilities and infrastructure.

Physical improvements during this time include work on two new fire stations, a new police station, park renovations, street improvements, and completion of transit-oriented development projects.

Additionally, expanded community involvement efforts include collaboration with the San Mateo United Homeowner’s Association, increased volunteerism, and advancing the use of social media.

“It has been my pleasure to serve on the City Council while Susan Loftus has been our City Manager,” said Jack Matthews, San Mateo City Council Member. “Susan has served our City with great distinction through some very challenging economic times. She knows how to do more with less, is well respected by all who work with her, and is well known for her strong but compassionate leadership. Susan has been an inspirational leader for our City and has set a standard for leadership few can equal. We will all miss her and wish her the very best in her future endeavors.”

Prior to San Mateo, Loftus worked in policy development, bond financing, affordable housing, and managed over a dozen commercial revitalization areas for the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency before moving to San Mateo as its Economic Development Manager.

Along with economic development activities, she oversaw redevelopment, affordable housing, housing rehabilitation, and Community Development Block Grant Programs. 

In 1990, she transferred to the City Manager’s office where she served as both the Deputy and Assistant City Manager. In these roles she spearheaded the passage of Measure C to renovate and reconstruct the police and fire facilities, implemented performance measurement standards throughout the organization, managed various re-engineering processes in both the library and community development department, and oversaw the City’s information technology department. 

Loftus has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of San Francisco; a Master’s in Business Administration from California State University, Sacramento, and was a graduate of the Berkeley Executive Program for Local Government Executives.

Throughout her career, Loftus has been active in the region and profession.  She was a strong promoter of shared services and helped undertake the shared collaboration of the Fire Departments in San Mateo, Foster City, and Belmont.  She has served on numerous boards and committees throughout San Mateo County and has invested her time in promoting public service to the next generation of leaders. 

“During my career I have had the pleasure of working with incredible, hardworking individuals throughout all levels of the organization. It is an honor to be associated with individuals of their caliber as they represent many of the best in their professions. The people who work for San Mateo are extremely dedicated to public service and have consistently risen to the occasion to meet changing needs. I am very grateful for their talent and commitment.”

“San Mateo has been blessed with excellent staff,” said Brandt Grotte, San Mateo City Council Member. “Susan Loftus, as the head of the organization, has provided excellent leadership for the past many years.  Prior to her City Manager role, Susan supported the City in multiple positions such as Assistant City Manager, Director of Information Technology, and Economic Development Manager. More recently she has excelled in supporting staff through difficult economic times and guided the development of a financial sustainability plan that will serve the City well in future years. Susan’s strong leadership will be missed as will her sensitivity and sense of humor. I have nothing but respect and admiration for her accomplishments and we wish her only the best in retirement and the next phase of life.”

Loftus officially retires on Friday, Nov. 1.  In the next few weeks the City Council will begin discussing a transition plan.