by John Glidden | glid24@protonmail.com | October 17, 2026
VALLEJO – This week, the city of Vallejo started the search for a new second assistant city manager to replace Gillian Haen, who left to become Chico city manager in August.
According to a hiring brochure released by the executive recruitment firm, WBCP, the new assistant city manager will earn between $217,010 to $263,778 in annual base salary. The new hire will join the other assistant city manager, Nalungo Conley, who started with the city in July 2025, overseeing various city departments.
“The city manager retains direct oversight of public safety, while (Conley) currently oversees finance and administration,” the hiring brochure states. “The incoming ACM’s portfolio will be shaped in part by their experience and strengths and may include operations, public works, the water utility, planning & development services, economic
development and housing, or a combination of these departments and areas.”
News broke in July that the Chico City Council intended to hire Haen as that city’s next CEO. However, the announcement was met with some concern by community members in both cities regarding Haen’s time in Vallejo.
During a July Chico City Council meeting, Vallejo Councilwoman Helen-Marie Gordon, District 6, spoke in favor of Haen’s appointment.
“I am honored to speak in support of Gillian Haen as Chico’s city manager,” Gordon, who worked with Haen for seven years as a community advocate, housing commissioner, and now as a councilmember, said over Zoom.
“Now as a city councilwoman, I must tell you transparently, throughout the time she has consistently demonstrated integrity, professionalism and collaboration and leadership not only with the community but also amongst her peers,” Gordon added at the time. “Gillian listens and builds trust and bring people together to solve complex challenges.”
The Chico council voted 5-2 in that same meeting to hire Haen. The two against supported Chico Police Chief Billy Aldridge, who had also applied for the position.
“I truly believe Billy Aldridge would have been an extraordinary, successful, very responsive and truly forthright city manager,” said Vice Mayor Dale Bennett in July. “A person I know well, a person of unquestionable integrity and commitment, a person with decades of experience in making decisions.”
Under her employment agreement, Haen will earn an annual salary of $285,000, and a relocation stipend. She began with Chico in August.
Hiring of the new second assistant city manager comes on the heels of Vallejo City Hall searching for a new economic development director, finance director, and employee and labor relations officer, who will be tasked with serving as the city’s representative in labor agreement negotiations, while also coordinating all of the city’s employee and labor relations matters.
The application deadline for all three of these city positions have closed. City hall has yet to announce if any hires have been made. According to the assistant city manager brochure, the deadline to apply closes on November 9 with in-person interviews expected to take place in mid-December.