A familiar name has been hired as Fresno’s next city manager, replacing Bruce Ruud, who is retiring after 41 years of service to the City of Fresno.

Wilma Quan-Schecter, current assistant city manager, brings more than 20 years of planning, revitalization and development experience in the public and private sectors to the job. She also served a pivotal role in the Fulton Street Reconstruction Project, according to a bio on the city’s website.

She has also spent time as an urban planning specialist in the city’s Downtown and Community Revitalization Department, where she was instrumental in the planning process for Fresno’s high-speed rail station and downtown zoning initiatives.

“Wilma is a world-class manager with experience in cutting-edge city planning and a reputation for building strong working relationships,” said Mayor Lee Brand in a statement. “I am confident in her ability to handle the challenges ahead and I know her broad experience in public policy will serve our city well.”
 
Prior to joining the City of Fresno, Quan-Schecter was the owner and principal planner of Planning Resource Associates, Inc., and spent six years at the California Department of Transportation, where she gained experience in transportation planning and modeling. She also served for five years on the Tower District Design Review Committee and co-authored the Tower District Specific Plan Design Guidelines, regulating site planning, urban design, and architecture in Fresno’s Tower District, according to the city’s website.

Quan-Schecter was raised in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area and earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Penn State University and her Master of Business Administration from Fresno State.

Quan-Schecter is married to former Fresno State political science professor Dr. David Schecter and has two sons.

Ruud is expected to remain as a temporary adviser through the end of the year “to ensure a smooth transition.”

“I’m also pleased that Bruce Rudd will continue to give us the benefit of his four decades of experience in virtually every level of our city government,” Mayor Brand said. “Bruce is a rock star and I’m happy that he’s willing to extend his latest tour, even if it’s only for a few more months.”
 
Prior to becoming city manager, Rudd served as the city’s assistant city manager, director of transportation, chief information officer, and director of the Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department.