The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

Council hires city manager; Lewcock steps down in July

Robert LaSala has 25 years' experience in government work

By Lester Chang

Following a four-month nationwide search, the Sunnyvale City Council on June 10 approved the appointment of Robert LaSala, the former deputy county administrator in Sarasota County, Fla., as the new city manager.

LaSala was among 59 candidates who applied for the job and was the top choice among three finalists, Vice Mayor Jim Roberts said during a news conference before the council approved LaSala's selection.

LaSala, with 25 years of government experience, replaces Tom Lewcock, who has held the post since 1979. Lewcock will step down in July to pursue teaching and consulting jobs.

LaSala, who is scheduled to start work in the middle of July, said he plans to confer with Lewcock to gain a better understanding of the city and its programs and projects.

"It is rare that seven people agree on something so quickly, especially in politics," Roberts said of the councilmembers, who met during a closed session May 24 and unanimously supported LaSala's appointment.

In an interview with The Sun, LaSala praised the work done by Lewcock and said it would be premature for him to say what changes might be forthcoming. "There is always room for improvement, though," he said. "You don't have to be sick to get better."

At this point, he said, he plans to carry on Lewcock's work.

Lewcock has won national awards for government service. His biggest achievement was providing Sunnyvale residents with low-cost, high-quality service, city officials said.

Under his contract, LaSala will make $134,662 annually and will be eligible for mortgage assistance and reimbursement for relocating to California from Florida.

The council chose him because LaSala is a team player and understands the workings of government, said Roberts, who served as the chairman of a council search committee which also included councilmembers Robin Parker and Landon Curt Noll.

"He has outstanding people skills. Bob was the perfect fit for our culture and government organization, with his style and personality," Roberts said. "He is very into team-building and won't micromanage."

Mayor Stan Kawczynski said he was impressed by LaSala's deep interest in the city and in the job. "He did his homework on the city," Kawczynski said.

LaSala said he aggressively sought the position because Sunnyvale has a reputation of having a well-managed, progressive and innovative city government.

"This is an opportunity to practice my trade to the fullest," he said.

LaSala has been with Sarasota County since 1991, and was responsible for land development, development of utility programs, flood-control programs, transportation projects and conservation programs.

Sarasota County serves 300,000 people and has 3,300 employees.

Before working in that county, LaSala served as a city manger in Boca Raton, Fla. for two years and as a chief assistant county administrator in Pinellas County, Fla. for nine years.

He also was involved in municipal management in New York and New Jersey for five years.

LaSala began his career in government service 25 years ago, when he served as a project director for the city of Syracuse, N.Y. He helped carry out the Model Cities program, a Great Society project to revitalize urban centers initiated by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, June 18, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.