City Clerk John Tulloch to depart August 4
Published July 17, 2023 | Updated July 18, 2023
UPDATE July 18, 2023: The City Council honored Tulloch with a proclamation recognizing his service at the July 17, 2023 City Council meeting. Watch a video of the celebration.
At the same meeting, the Council unanimously voted to appoint Sheri Hartz as Interim City Clerk until a permanent replacement is hired.
ORIGINAL STORY
After nearly 17 years of service, longtime Piedmont City Clerk John Tulloch will end his tenure on Friday, August 4. For over a decade, Tulloch has served as the face and voice of City Hall for residents when they call or visit to get a business license, find records, or ask questions about City services. Behind the scenes, he’s administered six municipal elections, created and implemented the City’s first IT strategic plan, and on-boarded three City Administrators.
“For nearly two decades, John Tulloch has been the glue that keeps City Hall working together cohesively,” said Mayor Jen Cavenaugh. “As a small full-service City, we call on each of our staff to serve many roles and John has done that more than anyone. His deep knowledge of Piedmont’s history and traditions is irreplaceable.”
Cavenaugh continued, “John was my guiding light as I navigated the mechanics and legal requirements of running for office and I will forever be grateful for all he did to help me. I was very sad to learn of his departure but am excited for the possibility of what lies ahead for him.”
A third generation Piedmonter, Tulloch joined the City in 2006 as an Administrative Services Technician, where his work primarily focused on IT and records management. Four years later, he was appointed to the position of City Clerk by the City Council following the retirement of Ann Swift. He again took on new responsibilities, when he was named Assistant City Administrator by City Administrator Paul Benoit.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve my hometown for nearly two decades,” said Tulloch. “Growing up in Piedmont, it was the openness, friendliness, and competence of the people I interacted with at City Hall that inspired me to pursue public service as a career. While the time has come for me to try something new, I will always be proud of the work I’ve done here.”
Tulloch continued, “Local governments today face unprecedented challenges. From surviving a pandemic to beginning the difficult work of thinking critically about our city’s history to navigating an increasingly complex web of State regulations and mandates, Piedmont’s small but dedicated team has met each new hurdle with grace and I am grateful to have been part of it. I am optimistic about our City’s future and look forward to continuing to enjoy Piedmont’s superlative public services as a resident.”
Before coming to work for Piedmont, Tulloch spent four years as a legislative assistant in the Washington State Senate.
“John has been an indispensable member of our small City team,” said Vice-Mayor Betsy Andersen. “Throughout City Hall, he’s admired for his unparalleled knowledge of Piedmont history, unmatched expertise in all things elections, and unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, good government core services. But for me, what has always stood out the most about John is his dedication to putting the community first. In this, he sets a remarkable benchmark for us all to aspire to. He will truly be missed.”
“John’s support has been invaluable as I embark on this journey with the City of Piedmont,” said City Administrator Rosanna Bayon Moore. “His devotion to public service and to this community were apparent from our very first meeting. Though we’ve worked together only a short time, I will miss his counsel, companionship, and insight. I’m sorry to see him go and wish him the best in future endeavors.”
The City has engaged Bob Murray & Associates, an experienced executive recruiting firm, to conduct a nationwide search for a new City Clerk. The Council is expected to appoint Sheri Hartz, who formerly served as City Clerk for the cities of Emeryville and Novato, to serve as Interim City Clerk until a permanent replacement is hired.