City of Dublin Announces Changes in City Management

City Manager Chris Foss has announced two key management changes for the City of Dublin. Linda Smith has been appointed as the new Assistant City Manager, and economic development veteran Lori Taylor has been hired to replace Smith as the City’s new Economic Development Director.

Smith has been serving as Acting Assistant City Manager since December 2013, following the appointment of Foss as Acting City Manager. Smith joined the City of Dublin in 2009 as the Assistant to the City Manager in charge of economic development and communications. 

She most recently served as the City’s Economic Development Director/Public Information Officer overseeing the City’s robust business attraction and retention program, as well as the City’s efforts to brand and market the community. In her new role, Smith will be overseeing the City’s development services, including Community Development, Public Works, and Economic Development, along with the City Clerk’s Office.

“Over the past five years, Linda has been an invaluable member of the City’s executive team, leading our efforts to rebuild the City’s economic base and to increase our communication with residents and businesses,” said Foss. “I look forward to utilizing Linda’s skills and abilities to help our organization with the opportunities and challenges facing the City in the coming years.”

Prior to arriving in Dublin in 2009, Smith worked for the cities of Brentwood and Tracy in the role of economic development. Smith also has a decade of experience as a communications and marketing executive for emerging technology companies in the Silicon Valley, as well as on branding and communication campaigns for companies such as Levi Strauss, Visa, Bank of America and the Clorox Company.

Smith is a member of several organizations, including the International City Management Association (ICMA) and Municipal Management Association of Northern California (MMANC). She is the 2014 recipient of the 2014 MMANC Wes McClure Outstanding Assistant Award. 

Smith graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in Public Relations and a minor in Political Science. She resides in Dublin with her son, Brian. She is a member of the Dublin Rotary Club and a member of the Dublin Chamber’s Economic Development Committee.

Lori Taylor has been hired to replace Smith as the City’s new Economic Development Director. Taylor is a veteran economic development professional who has worked for cities throughout the East Bay. From 2004 to 2011, Taylor worked for Fremont and served as their Director of Economic Development. 

Most recently, Taylor worked in the City of Hayward leading their economic development efforts and served as Alameda’s Community Development Director from 2011-2013.

“We are so pleased to have Lori join the Dublin team,” said Foss. “Lori brings an incredible amount of experience working with technology companies from the Silicon Valley along with biotech and clean tech companies located throughout the 880 Corridor. She also has the background and experience to continue the City’s growing communications efforts.”

Taylor is a member of several organizations, including the East Bay Economic Development Alliance, the International Council of Shopping Centers, along with the Urban Land Institute. Taylor graduated from Mills College with a degree in Government. She joins the City on May 5.

The appointments are part of the change in leadership at the City of Dublin. Chris Foss took over the role of City Manager, effective April 26, following the retirement of Joni Pattillo, effective April 25. Foss had been serving as Acting City Manager since December 2013.

—Information provided by City of Dublin