Following a four-month recruitment process, the City of Temecula selected current City employee Luke Watson to serve as the City’s next Community Development Director. The vacancy resulted from former Community Development Director Armando Villa’s departure. Villa accepted a promotional opportunity with the County of Imperial.
Watson began his new assignment on September 23, 2015, and will be responsible for overseeing all divisions of the department, including Planning, Code Enforcement, and Building and Safety. Watson has been with the City for 10 years, holding various positions within the City, including Management Assistant, Management Analyst, Senior Planner, and most recently serving as the Interim Community Development Director. Watson’s previous experience spans over the areas of redevelopment, long-range planning, economic development, government grants, housing and solid waste; however, his most recent Interim Director assignment included full oversight of the Planning, Code Enforcement, and Building and Safety divisions of the Community Development Department.
Watson has a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Public Administration from San Diego State University, and a Masters of Business Administration from Point Loma Nazarene University. Commenting on Watson’s performance in the interim role, Assistant City Manager Greg Butler stated, “In serving as Interim Community Development Director, Luke stepped into a department leadership role, leveraged his excellent working relationships with his co-workers, and kept several high profile projects moving forward. I am confident that the Community Development staff that has rallied around and supported him while in the interim role will continue to do so as he assumes this permanent appointment.” City Manager Aaron Adams added, “Luke’s experience working within the Temecula Redevelopment Agency for many years provides him a unique perspective of the importance of understanding Planning & Community Development business from both sides of the counter. Luke has most recently demonstrated his ability to lead a complex operation with many important moving parts. This ability coupled with a strong work ethic will serve him well in the City of Temecula and within our culture.”
The Community Development Director position offers health, dental, vision and life insurance benefits afforded to all other City employees, and an annual salary range of $ 129,793 to $ 182,750.