Press Release
MAYOR FILNER HIRES FORMER COUNTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE WALT EKARD TO CONSULT ON ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS
(SAN DIEGO) – Mayor Bob Filner has hired Walter F. Ekard, the former Chief Administrative Officer for the County of San Diego, to provide strategic advice on the organizational structure and effectiveness of the City of San Diego.
While at the County, Ekard managed a workforce of 15,000 employees and an annual budget of $5 billion. He has known Mayor Filner for more than 25 years.
“Walt is an expert in great government. Through innovative programs and a singular belief in being the best, he transformed the culture in County government, which today is seen as a national example of excellence in government management,” Mayor Filner said.
“The City has the potential to be the best-run City in the country,” he added. “The 10,500 City employees are exceptional public servants, who if given innovative tools, processes and guidance, will work to make this City great.”
Ekard began work this month and has a contract through the end of June for $75,000.
“The Mayor is really interested in this City being great with great government leaders,” Ekard said. “He and I, while not aligned politically, are staunch defenders of government workers. We are proud of what we do and we are just as smart as the vaunted private sector. I look forward to working with the Mayor and his key staff.”
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