City of El Centro appoints new city manager

The City of El Centro appointed Marcela Piedra as their new city manager Thursday after a 5-0 vote at a city council meeting.

Piedra has been working for the city since 2002 and has served several positions with the City of El Centro.

Piedra has lived in the Imperial Valley for over 30 years and is a Calexico High School graduate.

Piedra has over 20 years of local government work experience that includes working for the County of Imperial in the Economic Development Department and as a Small Business Advisor for the Imperial Valley Small Business Development Center.

She has managed over $67 million in capital projects and completed a variety of redevelopment and community projects.

Ms. Piedra was chosen after a statewide/nationwide search through Bob Murray & Associates. ” Ms. Piedra is extremely talented and the City Council is thrilled to announce the hiring of the first woman as the El Centro City Manager,” said Mayor Cheryl Viegas-Walker.

Ms. Piedra is a member of the International City Manager’s Association, California Association for Local Economic Development, International Council of Shopping Centers, California Parks and Recreation Society, and the National Recreation & Parks Association.

“I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to work for the City of El Centro in the City Manager capacity. I have worked for the City of El Centro for 16 years and look forward to continue working with our City Council, Department Heads, all of our dedicated City of El Centro employees, and the various local community organizations. I thank the El Centro City Council for this amazing opportunity, ” Piedra said.