Copyright Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Rekha Nayar, Vallejo’s Finance Director, has left the city after nine years to work at the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District. Nayar confirmed on Thursday that it was her last day and she will begin working at the recreation district next week. Nayar’s departure is part of what appears to be a continuing exodus from the city. Sharon Lund, the city’s community engagement manager, left Vallejo at the start of this month, City of Vallejo Spokesperson Robert Briseño confirmed. Naveed Ashraf, the city’s IT director, left in August, Melissa Tigbao, the city’s public works director, left in May and Michael Nimon, the economic development director, left in January. Nayar joined the City of Vallejo as deputy finance director almost exactly nine years ago, in October 2016. She became interim finance director in January 2019 and became finance director in March 2019. Before coming to the city, Nayar was a manager of international accounting for Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Before that, senior manager of international accounting for Room to Read, a global organization with 650 staff and $44 million in revenues. As finance director, Nayar implemented strict internal controls, leading and creating the $200 million annual budget for the city in collaboration with various city departments, according to the city website. She executed multiple process automation initiatives to add efficiency to the City of Vallejo’s operations, maintaining a successful track record of leading the finance team deliver to challenging goals under demanding timelines, the city said. The City of Fairfield announced in August that Ashraf had been hired as the city’s new Information Technology Director. Nimon began with the City of Walnut Creek as economic development director in January, according to the city website. Tigbao is now employed by the City of Pacifica as public works director, Teri Black & Co., an executive search firm, reported in July. The city has also made recent hires at the executive level. Briseño was hired in March and Nalungo Conley as second assistant city manager in July.
