City of South Lake Tahoe Hires New Administrative Services Director

City Manager Nancy Kerry today announced the selection of Mark Carlson as Administrative Services Director. Mr. Carlson is anticipated to begin his service with the City in early April.

In announcing the selection, Ms. Kerry said: “Mark brings a broad range of professional expertise to the City’s Administrative Services Department to complement a great team of employees. I am very excited to have Mark become a key partner of the City’s Senior Management Team. He will be instrumental in helping us to leverage the fiscal health we achieved in 2013 and help identify strategic priorities while assisting the City Council in implementing policies and projects that will be in the best interest of our citizens and community.”

Mr. Carlson brings more than 25 years of combined financial and administrative services experience including government service, the non-profit sector, public and private industries. Since 2011, he served as the Director of Finance and Administrative Services for the City of Astoria, Oregon. In this position he oversaw the budget process which led to a reduction of General Fund expenses by five percent while maintaining all community services at regular levels. He also managed the Human Resources department and developed a Risk Management program for the City.

Prior to working for Astoria, Mr. Carlson served as the Controller and Senior Vice President for Craft3 in Astoria, a $90 million non-profit Community Development Financial institution, where he had oversight of the financial operations and human resources duties.

Mr. Carlson’s experience in finance also includes five years as the Chief Financial Officer for Big River Construction where he was involved in site development and utility projects for commercial and governmental clients. Projects varied in scope with values up to $15 million dollars. Prior his position with Big River Construction, he was the Controller for Northwest Lending Group in Portland, Oregon where managed all aspects of finance and human resources. He also spent two years as the Controller for Teevin Brothers Land and Timber in Astoria where he had responsibilities that spanned accounting, project estimating and human resources functions.

“In meeting with the staff, department heads and the City Manager, I was thoroughly impressed with their deep dedication and devotion to the City,” said Carlson. “Their enthusiasm is contagious, and I am excited to be able to be part of a team with all the goals and plans that they outlined. I look forward to coming aboard and hitting the ground running.”