Vallejo’s finance director leaves for Hayward job

by John Glidden | glid24@protonmail.com | October 17, 2025

VALLEJO – The city has lost another department head as Finance Director Rekha Nayar accepted a similar position with the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District. The Vallejo Times-Herald was the first on Friday to report on Nayar’s departure.

Nayar had been the second longest tenured department head, behind City Clerk Dawn Abrahamson, at Vallejo City Hall having been originally hired as Vallejo’s deputy finance director in October 2016. She was named interim finance director in early 2019 following the sudden resignation of Ron Millard.

Just months later, in March 2019, then-City Manager Greg Nyhoff made Nayar the permanent finance director. Abrahamson has served as Vallejo’s city clerk since 2012.

JohnGlidden.com sought comment from the city of Vallejo, asking who will take over the finance department. The city declined to comment.

“Thank you so much for your inquiry,” wrote Vallejo Spokesperson Robert Briseño in an email. “The City does not have a comment at this time.”

The city did reveal on Tuesday, October 21, a week before the scheduled Vallejo City Council on October 28, that Assistant City Manager Nalungo Conley is the acting finance director.

News of Nayar’s departure comes a week after it was learned that Sharon Lund, the city’s community engagement manager had left Vallejo in early October.

Lund’s departure comes as Vallejo continues to have vacancies at city hall including public works director, economic development director, and chief innovation officer & IT director.

Vallejo lost its longtime Chief Innovation Officer & IT Director Naveed Ashraf in August as he accepted a similar position with the city of Fairfield.

In May, longtime public works employee, Melissa Tigbao left Vallejo to become the public works manager with the city of Pacifica.

Tigbao spent seven years in Vallejo City Hall, first as assistant public works director from July 2018 to November 2021, before she was tapped to serve as acting public works director in November 2021, following Terrance Davis’ elevation to interim assistant city manager.

Following Mike Malone’s placement as the permanent city manager in April 2022, several city hall positions were solidified, with Davis becoming the permanent second assistant city manager and Tigbao being named as public works director. She served in that position until her May 2025 departure.

Oscar Alcantar was named as interim public works director after Tigbao left Vallejo. He has served as assistant public works director from July 2020.

In January, Vallejo lost its economic development director, Michael Nimon, who accepted a similar position with the city of Walnut Creek, according to his LinkedIn profile. Nimon was originally hired in August 2022 as special advisor to the city manager for economic development replacing Paul Kelley, who served in the position from May 2020 to June 2022.

Finally, the city’s fire department has been led by interim chief Arthur Gonzales since January 2025. A vacancy in the position occurred after Vallejo City Manager Andrew Murray agreed to a separation agreement with Fire Chief Kyle Long in June 2024. Long received three months’ severance equal to more than $63,000.

Despite all the departures and interim appointments, Vallejo has made several key hirings, including Nalungo Conley, the city’s second assistant city manager in July, and Robert Briseño as city spokesperson in March.

Editor’s note: This article was updated on Monday, October 20, 2025 to include a statement from the city of Vallejo. This article was updated on Thursday, October 23, 2025 to include information about Assistant City Manager Nalungo Conley serving as the acting finance director.