Chandler, Arizona's Deputy City Manager Andy Bass is set to take his leave to step into a new role as the executive director of the South Suburban Park and Recreation District in Denver, Colorado. According to an official announcement from the City of Chandler's news center, Bass's new appointment will become effective on September 8, 2025. The district he'll be leading is not a small undertaking; spanning across 46 square miles, it serves over 151,000 residents throughout six cities and three counties in the vicinity of Denver.
Parting ways with Chandler on September 5, Bass will leave a position he has held since July 2019, starting as the Community Services Director before climbing to become Deputy City Manager in January 2022. During his time in Chandler, he's been instrumental in both erecting new park facilities and investing in existing ones, aiming to continuously better the parks and recreation system for Chandler's expanding community. In this capacity, he also oversaw the city's Cultural Development, Development Services, Neighborhood Resources, and Public Works & Utilities departments.
In a statement obtained by Chandler City News, City Manager Josh Wright expressed both pride and regret regarding Bass's departure, saying, "I am excited for Andy to take on this new opportunity in his hometown, though his departure is certainly a loss for Chandler. He has been a tremendous advocate for Chandler’s parks and recreation system, both building new facilities for our growing community and spearheading reinvestment in existing assets." Wright further acknowledged Bass's contributions to Chandler's development and infrastructure projects, describing him as a colleague and a friend whose presence will be missed.
For Bass, the move to the Denver area is a homecoming. His new role will not just be a professional position but also a personal return to familiar grounds. Bass enjoyed the parks and recreation system he will soon manage during his youth, bringing his career full circle. Throughout his professional journey, Bass has accrued experience in various parks and recreation director and leadership roles across Colorado, Nevada, and Texas, as well as within a Texas residential community association.
Chandler will be actively seeking a new Deputy City Manager, though the timeline and details of this recruitment have yet to be announced. The responsibility of deciding on a suitable replacement falls to Chandler’s Acting City Manager John Pombier. Whomever takes the role next will report directly to the city manager and will be tasked with assisting in the administration and day-to-day operations integral to the functioning of the city.
