Claremont : New City Manager Picked

Mayor Judy Wright has announced the hiring of Glenn Southard as city manager. Southard, 36, currently assistant city manager of San Juan Capistrano, was chosen from a field of 81 applicants, six of whom were interviewed by the City Council last month.

“He just seemed to have what it takes,” said interim City Manager Brice Stephenson, who supervised the city’s nationwide search for a top administrator.

Southard will assume his new post in Claremont on June 1, replacing Stephenson, who has served as city manager since Leonard Wood resigned Dec. 1 after seven years on the job.

Southard said he does not envision any major changes in the city’s management. “I think they already have a plan in place, so it’s going to be more me going in and working with that plan,” he said. Southard added that his experience in San Juan Capistrano will help him in Claremont because “the style of government and the emphasis on quality of life” in these cities are similar.

Southard, who has a master’s degree in public administration from Cal State Fullerton, formerly served as assistant to the city manager of West Covina. In 1986, he received the Harry Scoville Award for excellence in public administration by the American Society of Public Administration.