The City of San Carlos has selected veteran Peninsula administrator Kathy Kleinbaum as its next city manager, capping a nationwide search announced today. The decision brings a seasoned Bay Area municipal hand to the Peninsula just as San Carlos presses ahead with a major downtown revitalization. Kleinbaum arrives with more than two decades of local government experience across the Peninsula and San Mateo County.
The choice was rolled out in a press release shared on the city’s official X account, City of San Carlos, which linked to the full announcement and the city’s formal post about the hire. The social post echoed the headline and sent readers to the city’s news release for additional background.
News Release: Kathy Kleinbaum Selected As City Manager
— City of San Carlos (@CityofSanCarlos) April 23, 2026
Read the full News Release: https://t.co/35fbptZAmw. pic.twitter.com/LClHk6nNNW
Kleinbaum's Peninsula Resume
Before landing in San Carlos, Kleinbaum most recently served as assistant city manager in Belmont and previously held senior posts in San Mateo and with the City of Oakland’s redevelopment work, according to the City of Belmont hiring release. As reported in that release, her Peninsula portfolio includes work on affordable housing, economic development, and sustainability programs. It also lists a master’s degree in city and regional planning from UC Berkeley and a bachelor’s in Earth Systems from Stanford University.
How Her Experience Lines Up With San Carlos Priorities
The timing of her arrival lines up with a big priority for San Carlos: a major downtown revamp. The city began downtown improvements this spring with a renovation of Harrington Park as the first phase of a larger downtown revitalization effort, per the city’s project announcement. As detailed by the City of San Carlos, that work is intended to reshape public gathering spaces in the downtown core. Kleinbaum’s record on housing and downtown projects, including roles in San Mateo planning efforts, suggests experience directly relevant to those priorities.
Next Steps
The city’s initial announcement did not include an official start date or contract terms, according to the social post announcing the hire. City managers typically oversee day-to-day operations, implement council policy and coordinate the city budget and staff, a broad definition of the role described by California city management organizations and professional groups. Local officials in San Carlos and at Kleinbaum’s former employers have said more details will follow in the formal release and subsequent personnel steps.
