Paradise Valley Town Manager Jill Keimach announces retirement

Recruitment efforts underway for her replacement

After four years as Paradise Valley town manager, Jill Keimach has announced her plans to retire, effective May 12.

The Town Council was notified of her decision in mid-January, according to a press release. Keimach announced the departure publicly on Feb. 10. 

“Jill has been a tremendous asset for our town, the town staff and for council in the face of some incredible challenges. Her guidance and strong leadership have benefited every member of our community,” said Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner in a prepared statement. “She has faced every obstacle head on, and, with a collaborative approach and great skill, humility and integrity, and has made the town a better place across the board for all our benefit. We are so grateful that Jill remains as committed as ever to the town, and with the time she has provided for a new hire and her work to ensure a successful and smooth transition, our town will go from strength to strength.”

Under Keimach’s leadership the town weathered the COVID-19 pandemic, negotiated many key agreements benefiting the town, and worked on the issue of short-term rentals in Paradise Valley among other issues and challenges.

Keimach joined the Town of Paradise Valley in May 2019 as the town manager and has been responsible for working with staff to implement the policies adopted by the mayor and council. She also has been responsible for the day-to-day operations of all departments and staff within the town.

She joined Paradise Valley after serving as the city manager of both Alameda, California, and Moraga, California. Prior to that, she was the community development director for both Fremont, California, and El Cerrito, California.

“We have been incredibly privileged to have Jill’s guidance and expertise for the last four years,” said Vice Mayor Scott Moore in a prepared statement.

“Her contributions, often behind the scene, have helped to preserve the character and charm of our town. Jill’s calm demeanor and deep knowledge of the issues will be hard to replace.”

The town will be recruiting for a permanent town manager, and Keimach will continue working on specific projects for the town on a part-time basis.

“I have felt so privileged to have worked with such a supportive and impressive mayor and council and exceptional town staff. I will forever cherish my time in Paradise Valley and with the council’s full support, I am excited about continuing to assist Paradise Valley however needed in the future,” said Keimach. “This town has a wonderful future ahead. We have been able to enhance our organizational professionalism while also retaining the town’s character and beautiful aesthetic — and that is a great foundation to build on.”

Keimach has a master’s degree in city planning and bachelor's of architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. She is also a member of the International City/County Managers Association, American Institute of Certified Planners, and the American Institute of Architects.

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