Alameda Assistant City Manager Girad “Gerry” Beaudin was hired for two city manager positions on the same night this week.

The Alameda City Council voted to hire Beaudin as interim city manager during closed session at its April 19 meeting. Simultaneously, the Pleasanton City Council approved Beaudin as Pleasanton’s permanent city manager at its April 19 meeting.

"The combination of Gerry's experience and expertise in city governance, combined with his knowledge of Pleasanton, makes him incredibly well qualified to serve as our city manager as he collaborates with the council and community to ensure our outstanding quality of life," said Pleasanton Mayor Karla Brown at the meeting.

Beaudin is expected to take on both roles, but his reign as interim city manager is expected to last less than a month.

“Mr. Beaudin will be Alameda’s interim city manager up until he leaves for the City of Pleasanton,” wrote City of Alameda Public Information Officer Sarah Henry in an email. “At that time, the City Council will appoint a new interim city manager.”

Henry said Beaudin informed several councilmembers individually he was pursuing the permanent city manager position with the City of Pleasanton before his appointment. Even with that information, the council still decided to name Beaudin the interim city manager.

Beaudin will begin his stint as Alameda interim city manager on May 2. He starts his employment as Pleasanton’s city manager on May 23, according to reports. It is not disclosed when his last day with the City of Alameda will be.

At the April 19 meeting, Alameda City Council unanimously approved Beaudin’s interim annual salary of $278,409 a year. His pay will be adjusted to reflect his three weeks of work. He is scheduled to earn $280,000 a year as Pleasanton city manager.

Before Beaudin became Alameda’s assistant city manager in 2019, he was Pleasanton’s community development director for four years.

“During his tenure in public service, Mr. Beaudin has developed extensive experience working with elected and appointed officials, accompanied by an aptitude for forging community partnerships,” according to the staff report for the April 19 Pleasanton council meeting. “He is an astute manager with a reputation for implementing organizational projects with a focus on attracting and retaining talented staff.”

Beaudin is filling the position previously held by Nelson Fialho, who retired as Pleasanton’s city manager in November 2021. Beaudin told the Pleasanton Weekly he was excited to take on his new role with the city.

"Pleasanton is a special place," Beaudin told the Weekly after the council vote. "I am particularly excited about this opportunity because it will allow me to work with the City Council, city staff, and the community to ensure that the City of Pleasanton is addressing today's needs and preparing for our future."

At its April 5 meeting, Alameda City Council directed Human Resources Director Nancy Bronstein to choose an interim city manager by the April 19 meeting (“City Begins Search for New City Manager,” April 8). The interim city manager was supposed to hold the position until a permanent city manager was hired. Bornstein was also tasked with formulating the search plan for the permanent city manager.

Alameda’s city manager position became vacant after current City Manager Eric Levitt announced on March 15, he would take on the same role for the City of Fullerton, (“City Manager Leaves for New Position,” March 23).