RANCHO SANTA FE — Bob Hall, who was appointed as manager of the Rancho Santa Fe Association in March, will vacate his position on Jan. 2, 2018. Christy Whalen, the current assistant Association manager, will serve as the new Rancho Santa Fe Association manager in the new year.
Covenant residents first learned of Hall’s retirement during a Dec. 7 town hall meeting, which was originally meant to be the regular monthly board meeting.
“We failed to post the meeting four days in advance so this is a town hall meeting,” board President Fred Wasserman said.
The regular board meeting was deferred to Dec. 15.
At the town hall meeting, Wasserman announced that Hall would retire and the board of directors was looking into how the replacement process would occur. He said Hall would continue in a consultant capacity for RSF Connect, the fiber-optic network in the Covenant. Hall’s role is to assist in the permitting phase in accordance with San Diego County.
That afternoon, the Association issued a press release indicating Hall’s resignation in which he provided a statement.
“Due to some recent events in my personal life I’ve decided it is time for me to focus on the things I’ve wanted to do my entire life, such as travel and spend more time with my aging father,” Hall said.
In the press release, Wasserman shared the RSF Association wished Hall the best.
“Bob played a key role in moving forward the RSF Connect 1-Gigabit project. He is expected to continue to work with Association staff and County representatives to ensure the project proceeds on schedule.”
Hall accepted his position with the Association after retiring as city manager in Fountain Valley. He filled Bill Overton’s position after he served as Association manager from January 2015 until he officially resigned on June 30, 2016, following a leave of absence.
Following Overton’s resignation, the Association reviewed a total of 150 applicant resumes. Hall, along with four other candidates, was chosen to advance to the next selection process.
Christy Whalen, who was serving as the assistant manager of the Association, filled in as the interim manager until Hall was brought on board. According to the Association press release, Hall will stay on to “foster a smooth transition.”
On Dec. 15, the Rancho Santa Fe Association issued another press release naming Whalen as its new manager. Whalen was first employed by the Association under Overton’s leadership in 2015 as a communications manager.
The press release also cited Whalen’s Association accomplishments as the assistant manager including her involvement in the community-wide vote for RSF Connect, the management and coordination of board elections and annual meetings, and the ongoing implementation of policies and procedures at the Association.
The press release also highlighted Whalen’s business background.
“Ms. Whalen has 30 years of experience leading teams and managing projects. In addition to community Association and golf club experience, her background includes work in marketing, corporate communications and public relations for companies in the airline, transportation and healthcare industries. She has also served as a corporate spokesperson working with national and international media.”
