About David Ready

Candidate for City Council District 5

David Ready for Palm Springs
David H. Ready

A resident of Palm Springs since 2000, I will bring to City Council over 30 years of executive government experience with demonstrated expertise in a wide range of administrative and economic development achievements.  As Palm Springs’ longest serving City Manager from 2000 to 2021, my responsibilities covered all local government operations, including the Palm Springs International Airport and Convention Center.

I’m proud of the many accomplishments that I was able to achieve during my tenure as City Manager.  Along with the City Council, we revitalized our city through strong economic development initiatives including tourism, new retail, housing, regulation of vacation rentals, and expansion of the Palm Springs Airport and Convention Center.  This significantly expanded city revenues to improve city services such as adding extra police and fire safety services, repaving over half of all city streets, and built a “no-kill” City Animal Shelter, to name a few.

Additionally, I have always seen the value of having strong neighborhood organizations as part of our city’s success – and proud that we institutionalized into city government the organization of neighborhoods known as ONE PS.  Today, this essential neighborhood program has grown to 52 recognized neighborhood organizations.

Below is more specific information about my professional background – a wide range of experience and education that I will bring to the Palm Springs City Council as the District 5 representative.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Interim City Manager
Palos Verdes Estates, California, February-July 2023

Interim City Manager
Rolling Hills, California, August-November 2023

City Manager
Palm Springs, California, 2000 – 2021

Adjunct Faculty – Public Administration
California State University, San Bernardino, 2004 – present
Courses taught include Government and Business Relations • Public Policy Analysis • Administrative Regulation • Local Government Administration • Government in the Digital Age • Local Economic Development • Intergovernmental Relations • Public Administration Theory.

City Administrator
City of Flint, Michigan, 1992 – 2000

Deputy for Management, Budget, and Development
City of Canton, Ohio, 1989 – 1991

EDUCATION

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Political Science/Public Administration
    • Wayne State University – Detroit, Michigan
  • Juris Doctorate
    • University of Akron – Akron, Ohio
    • Member of the State of Ohio Bar
  • Master of Arts, Urban Affairs
    • University of Akron – Akron, Ohio
  • Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
    • Kent State University – Kent, Ohio

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC EXECUTIVE TRAINING PROGRAMS

  • Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government
    • Leadership for the 21st Century: Chaos, Conflict and Courage
    • Creating Collaborative Solutions: Innovations in Governance
    • Driving Government Performance
  • University of California at Berkeley, Goldman School of Public Policy
    • Strategic Management of Public Organizations

PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

  • College of the Desert Bond Oversight Committee, Palm Desert, CA
  • Desert Regional Hospital, Governing Board of Directors, Palm Springs, CA
  • Palm Springs International Film Festival, Board Member, Palm Springs, CA
  • Multi-Species Conservation Plan, Technical Advisory Committee, Palm Springs, CA
  • California State University at San Bernardino, Public Administration Advisory Board, Chairman
  • Riverside County, California, Emergency Medical Care Committee
  • Coachella Valley Association of Governments, Technical Advisory Committee, Chairman, CA
  • EPA/PM-10 Air Quality Advisory Committee, Coachella Valley Regional Governments, CA
  • Cal-ICMA, Ethics Sub-Committee, CA
  • Genesee County, Michigan, Mass Transportation Authority Board, Chairman
  • Women’s Shelter of Greater Flint, Michigan, Board of Directors, President
  • Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, Board Member
  • City of Flint, Michigan, Pension Board, Chairman
  • Mott Community College Foundation, Board Member, Flint, MI
  • American Society for Public Administration, Policy Issues Committee, MI
  • National League of Cities, Urban Poverty Policy Committee, Washington, D.C.
  • Akron/Canton Ohio Regional Food Bank, Board Member
  • Stark County, Ohio, Mental Health Integrated Consumer Assistance Board Member