GVRD board expected to give its general manager a new contract

by John Glidden | glid24@protonmail.com | October 21, 2025

VALLEJO – The Greater Vallejo Recreation District Board of Directors is expected to approve a new employment agreement with longtime general manager Gabe Lanusse, who will see his base salary increase to over $229,000 per year starting in January.

Lanusse began earning $220,517.60 as of July 1, 2025, according to salary information contained in the proposed Amended and Restated Employment Memorandum of Understanding slated to go before the board for approval on Thursday, October 23.

Under the contract, Lanusse will receive a four percent increase to his base salary on January 1, 2026, pushing his contract to $229, 338. He is also eligible to receive the same cost of living adjustment (COLA) represented GVRD employees receive through their memorandums of understanding.

Lanusse is expected to receive additional pay for merit and longevity through the life of the contract.

“At the beginning of each fiscal year, General Manager may, at the sole discretion of District’s Board, receive a merit increase in an amount not to exceed five percent (5%) of his Base Salary for the preceding fiscal year,” the same Amended and Restated Employment Contract states.

Lanusse will be able to collect 2.25 percent salary increase next year upon completion of his fifteenth year working full-time for the district. He joined GVRD as park supervisor in 2011.

Lanusse will continue to have access to “a small or compact fully electric vehicle (not a hybrid)” the district will buy for him to use between his home and the office, according to the new contract.

“The automobile shall display District logos and shall carry lights capable of flashing on top,” the contract states. “General Manager may use the vehicle to conduct the business of the district and for commuting between his home and the district offices.”

Lanusse would not be able to use the vehicle for other personal use, such as vacations, shopping, and other miscellaneous trips.

The new proposed Amended and Restated Employment Memorandum of Understanding runs from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2027. It allows both sides to extend the terms for an additional year.

Serving as maintenance superintendent at the time, Lanusse was named as the permanent general manager in July 2017 following the departure of long-time General Manager Shane McAffee in March 2017.

The GVRD board last adjusted Lanusse’s contract in 2022.

The Greater Vallejo Recreation District, a special district separate from Vallejo city government, operates more than 30 parks throughout the city, while also maintaining over 1,000 acres of public land.

The Greater Vallejo Recreation District Board of Directors are scheduled to meet at 6:30 p.m., Thursday inside the Administrative Office Board Room, located at 395 Amador St.