REGION — Longtime San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister, who retired in August, died this morning at the age of 74, his former office announced.
The cause of death was not immediately available.
McAllister served as the county’s taxation head for 23 years, from 2002 to 2025. In this role, he oversaw the collection of billions in property taxes each year, managed the $18 billion county investment pool, and administered the county’s more than $1.5 billion deferred compensation program.
“This is a sad day at the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office, and for San Diego,” said San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Cohen, who was appointed to the role last month after McAllister’s retirement. “Dan represented the best of public service. He was passionate and tireless about his work and kept the taxpayer at the forefront of everything he did.
“It was under Dan’s leadership that the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office got triple-A ratings and collected an impressive 99% of taxes for consecutive years. These are tax dollars that help our county run and be safe,” Cohen added.
McAllister served as a member of the San Diego County Employees Retirement Association and the board of CalTRUST; was president of the State Association of County Retirement Systems; and served on the boards of directors of the Peace Corps and Habitat for Humanity, according to a statement from the treasurer’s office. He was the chair of the board of directors of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation.
He also served as chair of the San Diego Unified School District’s Special Audit and Finance Committee and was a participating member of the boards of the Jackie Robinson YMCA, the New Americans Museum, and the Kim Center for Social Balance.
“But more importantly, we are thinking of Dan’s family, friends, and former colleagues today,” Cohen said. “He spoke lovingly of his son and daughter. He was quick to praise his team at the county and the friends and community members who motivated his work. We want to send our sincerest condolences to Dan’s family and to everyone who knew and loved him. He did a lot for San Diego County, and his good work here continues.
“Dan will be remembered for his leadership, mentorship, and warm wit. He will be dearly missed.”
Before serving as the San Diego County treasurer-tax collector, McAllister was a financial consultant and investment broker.
Several county and business leaders praised him.
“I join the entire county family in sending condolences to Dan McAllister’s loved ones at this difficult time,” County Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton said. “As the former treasurer-tax collector, Dan was passionate about serving our residents, and the public appreciated his dedication, electing him to serve six times over 23 years. I worked in Dan’s office at the beginning of my county career as the budget manager, sparking a lifelong passion for municipal finance. Dan even attended the ceremony when I received my undergraduate degree. Dan was kind, steady, and deeply invested in the San Diego community, and we are all better for it.”
Chris Cate, president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, offered his thoughts on Wednesday.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of former San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister, whose decades of public service helped strengthen the financial foundation of our region,” Cate said. “Dan led with integrity and discipline, earning the trust of taxpayers and ensuring billions in public dollars were responsibly managed to support a safe and thriving San Diego County. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues as we honor a legacy defined by leadership, service and lasting impact.”
