Cathedral City Manager Charles McClendon announced his retirement Thursday after 11 years with the city.
McClendon will be stepping away on Sep. 19, after serving 47 years in local government, including in Arizona and Kentucky.
“I believe I am leaving Cathedral City in a better place than I found it,” said McClendon in a statement. “I am especially proud of what we did together to improve the lives of the people of Cathedral City.”
His tenure saw the implementation of the city’s five-year strategic plan, infrastructure developments and community programs.
A few key accomplishments include construction of Ocotillo and Esperanza parks, construction of Fire Station 1, support of Measure W, which enhanced parks and recreation services and improved emergency medical response, and improving code compliance.
“Throughout his career, McClendon has demonstrated a commitment to collaborative leadership, working closely with the city council and departmental management teams to achieve shared goals for the community,” according to the statement.
City officials will begin the search for his successor within the month.