Terrance Davis resigns as Vallejo assistant city manager to head Berkeley public works

VALLEJO — Vallejo Assistant City Manager Terrance Davis has resigned from the city effective April 12 to head up the public works department for the city of Berkeley.

Davis has been assistant city manager since December 2021 and has been one of two assistant city managers along with Assistant City Manager Gillian Hayes. Prior to that role, Davis was Vallejo’s public works director since 2017.

“For the best interest of my family, I’ve decided to pursue other career opportunities,” Davis told the Vallejo Sun in a statement. “I have truly enjoyed the past 7 years serving Vallejo. I was afforded an opportunity to work with hard working local government professionals who care about the city, and developed many positive relationships with community members and organizations.”

“I’m very proud of my small contributions to the community, and will continue to be a strong supporter of Vallejo employees, businesses, and residents wherever I am,” Davis added.  

Davis has accepted a position as Director of Public Works for the City of Berkeley to be effective April 15 at an annual salary of $260,000. His most recent reported salary for the city of Vallejo was $199,775. 

Davis was chosen for the Berkeley position over four other candidates in a final round of interviews. The Berkeley City Council approved his hiring at its meeting Tuesday.

“With more than 20 years of municipal experience, Mr. Davis possesses knowledge and skills in every realm of Public Works, from engineering and transportation to facilities, fleets, and zero waste,” Berkeley human resources director Aram Kouyoumdjian wrote in a report to the council ahead of Tuesday’s meeting.

“Moreover, his experience as a city administrator affords him deep familiarity with legislative and budget processes," Kouyoumdjian wrote. "He espouses a communicative and collaborative style of management and brings an innovative, forward-thinking, and solution-oriented approach to public works.”

Before he worked in Vallejo, Davis was previously public works director for the city of Sacramento and assistant city manager for the city of Compton.

Davis’s resignation comes at a time of significant upheaval in the Vallejo city government. City Manager Mike Malone announced late last year that he would retire from the position at the end of April, and the City Council is currently interviewing candidates for his replacement.