The Chino Hills City Council voted unanimously on February 10 to elevate Rod Hill, the city’s assistant city manager since August 2019 and the director of administrative services and controller with the City of Whittier for 16 years previous to that, to the position of city manager.
Hill is to move into the top administrative post of San Bernardino County’s southwesternmost city on April 1, the day after Benjamin Montgomery, who has been city manager since April 2019, officially retires on March 31.
According to the announcement by the city issued after the city council’s action, “As assistant city manager, Mr. Hill has been instrumental in managing some of the city’s most complex contracts, divisions, and initiatives. He has overseen the code enforcement, community relations, emergency management, human resources, information technology, and solid waste divisions, as well as risk management.”
The announcement further stated, “A major area of his responsibilities included oversight of the city’s largest and most critical service contracts, including law enforcement services provided by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. He led negotiations on the new solid waste services contract and implementation of the city’s transition to a new waste hauler, ensuring continuity of service, regulatory compliance, and a smooth experience for residents and businesses. In addition, Mr. Hill managed contracts for animal care and control services and played a key leadership role in developing and implementing the city’s first homeless services contract.”
City officials touted what they said was Hill’s “strong background in municipal finance and emergency management. He began his career in the finance department with the cities of Brea and Anaheim. He was then selected as assistant finance director for the City of Redlands, where he oversaw information technology, risk management, accounting, and budget.”
With his 2003 hiring by Whittier in the role of administrative services director, he also headed and served as director of the finance and human services department and filled the post of city treasurer. The administrative services director in Whittier also oversaw emergency management and animal control.
Hill has a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of La Verne and a master of public administration degree. He holds government accounting and emergency management certificates.
A volunteer with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department West Valley Search and Rescue Team, Hill previously served as a reserve park ranger in Orange County. He was formerly an adjunct instructor at the California Specialized Training Institute.
Hill and his wife, Laurie, have lived in neighboring Chino for 35 years, and have three adult children and six grandchildren.
“I am very happy to be working for the City of Chino Hills and am excited to put my 31 years of training and experience to use by working along side some very dynamic, skilled, and professional colleagues and city council members,” Hill said. “It’s an honor to serve the residents of Chino Hills.”