CARLSBAD — The Carlsbad City Council on Tuesday appointed Assistant City Manager Geoff Patnoe as the city’s next city manager starting Dec. 19.
A UC Davis graduate with a degree in political science and public service, Patnoe will succeed Scott Chadwick, who announced his departure on Nov. 21 to become president and CEO of the Port of San Diego.
In March 2020, Patnoe was hired as assistant city manager, playing a key role in guiding the city through the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, he led Carlsbad’s traffic safety efforts in response to a 200% increase in bike collisions, which prompted the city to declare a local emergency.
A year later, injury collisions involving e-bikes were down 18%, according to a city statement.
“We’ve seen Geoff in action and have been impressed by his strategic thinking and leadership,” Carlsbad Mayor Keith Blackburn said in a statement. “In Geoff, we get continuity for the organization while tapping into his legislative background and experience overseeing the prudent use of taxpayer resources.”
Patnoe’s more than 20 years of local government experience include serving for a decade as the director of the county’s Office of Strategy & Intergovernmental Affairs, where he contributed to major policy initiatives involving local, state, and federal agencies.
Earlier in his career, he served as former Supervisor Dianne Jacob’s chief of staff and executive director of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, where he focused on government efficiency and fiscal responsibility.
“I am deeply honored to be entrusted with the role of City Manager and to continue to serve this incredible community,” Patnoe said in a statement. “We have a great team in place, and together we will work hard every day to deliver an exceptional level of service to our residents and businesses.”
