Gilroy
– City officials have ended a search that began last summer for
a new community services director, naming Santa Clarita recreation
superintendent Susan Andrade-Wax to fill the position.
Gilroy – City officials have ended a search that began last summer for a new community services director, naming Santa Clarita recreation superintendent Susan Andrade-Wax to fill the position.
As head of the community services department, she will manage the city divisions of recreation, operations (streets, trees, sewer and water), environmental programs and public information.
“We are extremely excited to have recruited someone with Susan’s level of professionalism, knowledge and passion for this position,” City Administrator Jay Baksa said. “Her varied experience in managing both college and public recreation programs should give her a great advantage in leading the Community Services Department successfully through programmatic and financial challenges that must be met now, and in the years ahead.”
Prior to working in Santa Clarita, Andrade-Wax worked for University of California at Los Angeles, and the cities of Claremont, Chino and Chino Hills.
She also worked as a recreation therapist at various hospitals throughout Southern California.
Andrade-Wax has a bachelor’s degree in recreation administration and psychology from San Diego State University, and an associates of arts degree in recreation administration from Pasadena City College. She and husband Daniel Wax have three children.
“My family and I are very excited to be invited to become part of the Gilroy community,” Andrade-Wax said in a statement. The recruitment process began last August following the retirement of Robert Connelly, who worked for the city for 29 years.
Michael Dorn, Administrative Services Director, filled in as interim community services director.
Andrade-Wax is expected to take over July 1.
