SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Santa Ana City Council has appointed veteran municipal executive Thomas R. Hatch to serve as Interim City Manager, overseeing operations of one of the largest cities in Orange County and over 1,400 City employees.

On Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, the City Council approved a resolution appointing Mr. Hatch and authorizing the Mayor to execute an employment agreement. Mr. Hatch is to begin his position immediately and to serve until a regular City Manager is hired. In a separate action, the City Council approved an agreement with Jacob Green & Associates to provide services for the recruitment of a permanent City Manager.

“Mr. Hatch’s extensive experience in local government and managing several Southern California cities will be invaluable to the City and people of Santa Ana,” Mayor Valerie Amezcua said. “The City Council is delighted that he accepted our offer to serve in this role while we conduct a search for the best qualified candidate to fill the position permanently.”

Mr. Hatch has 36 years of local government experience, working for the cities of Walnut, Brea, South Pasadena, West Covina, El Monte, Costa Mesa and Orange, as well as the County of Orange. He served as the Costa Mesa City Manager for 7½ years and was Assistant City Manager of Costa Mesa for five years. He was the Chief Human Resources Officer for the County of Orange and its 16,000 employees for almost three years, served as the Interim City Manager of the City of Orange, and served as Interim City Manager for the City of Santa Fe Springs earlier this year.

Mr. Hatch has an Associate of Arts degree from Mt. San Antonio College, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from Cal State University, Fullerton, and a Master of Public Administration from CSUF. Mr. Hatch is a resident of Costa Mesa.

Under the terms of the employment agreement, Mr. Hatch will be paid an hourly rate of $156.82. As a retiree under the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), Mr. Hatch may work in the position for no more than 960 hours in a fiscal year and will not receive any other City benefits or compensation, including paid vacation, sick leave and holidays.

About Santa Ana

Santa Ana is downtown for the world famous Orange County, California. It is the County Seat and home to a vibrant evening scene and arts community. About 1,400 City employees work hard every day to deliver efficient public services in partnership with our community to ensure public safety, a prosperous economic environment, opportunities for our youth, and a high quality of life for residents. Learn more at www.santa-ana.org.