Chandler City Council has recently made a strategic move by appointing John Pombier as the Acting City Manager, a decision that takes effect on July 13, according to a report by Chandleraz.gov. Pombier brings to the table a diverse background in public service, having retired from a notable 19-year stint with the City of Mesa, which capped an overall 27-year career across various municipal and state sectors.
His tenure at Mesa saw him handling a broad range of departments from the police and fire to the more eco-conscious environmental managementThe and sustainability initiatives. Adding to his resume is the eight-year role as Mesa’s city prosecutor, along with his work pertaining to domestic violence, as lead attorney in the City of Phoenix Prosecutor’s Office. However, before he assumed the position as acting city manager, Pombier spent some time at Amazon as their Senior Manager of Community Engagement, a role from which he has pivoted back to public service.
Pombier’s educational accolades include not only a juris doctor degree from Arizona State University’s School of Law, but also a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Michigan. After being admitted to the State Bar of Arizona in 1994, Pombier built a career that smoothly transitioned between legal and executive municipal roles.
With Josh Wright's announced resignation effective August 1, 2025, after over four years at the helm, the City of Chandler is looking toward a seamless transition. The City Council is already planning to initiate a nationwide search for a permanent city manager with the support of an executive search firm, expected to commence in early 2026. Pombier is stepping into a role that directs the day-to-day operations of the city, and is one of four pivotal positions appointed by the City Council – the others being the city attorney, city clerk, and presiding magistrate.
