The Palm Springs City Council has appointed experienced municipal executive James “Jim” Vanderpool to serve as Interim City Manager following the retirement of City Manager Scott Stiles, effective November 1, 2026. Vanderpool will begin work on Thursday, October 22, allowing him to work alongside Stiles before his departure and ensure a smooth and seamless leadership transition.
The appointment comes as the City Council moves forward with recruiting a permanent City Manager. The City has selected Bob Murray & Associates to conduct a comprehensive search. Bob Murray & Associates is an executive recruitment firm specializing in local government leadership in California. The full-time City Manager search is anticipated to take four to six months.
Vanderpool brings more than 30 years of municipal government experience, including leadership in two Southern California cities with significant tourism, hospitality, and economic development interests. Most recently, he served as Anaheim City Manager from September 2020 to February 2026, a world-renowned tourism and convention destination home to Disneyland. Previously, Vanderpool served as Buena Park City Manager for eight years.
Vanderpool maintained the unanimous support of the balance of the Anaheim City Council. However, he resigned earlier this year after a disagreement with the mayor over leadership direction and an FPPC complaint.
“The Palm Springs City Council carefully considered Jim’s extensive qualifications, professional experience, and the circumstances surrounding his Anaheim resignation,” said Mayor Naomi Soto. “We believe his decades of municipal leadership, experience managing complex city operations, and understanding of tourism-driven economies make him well qualified to serve Palm Springs at this moment. Jim brings the experience and collaborative leadership needed to guide our organization. Our priority is to maintain momentum, support our City employees, and ensure residents, businesses, and visitors continue receiving the high level of service they expect and deserve.”
During his tenure in Anaheim, Vanderpool oversaw a complex municipal organization with 3,000 employees and a $2 billion annual budget, serving 350,000 residents, 25 million annual visitors, and 20,000 businesses. Under his leadership, Anaheim advanced several major economic development and infrastructure initiatives, including construction of a new fire station — with another one underway, the expansion of the Disneyland Resort, continued development of the multibillion-dollar OCVIBE project, and he oversaw the continued growth of the Anaheim Convention Center, the largest on the west coast with 1 million annual attendees. Vanderpool also prioritized public safety, helping significantly expand police and fire staffing, including increasing the number of sworn Anaheim police officers from 356 to 430.
Vanderpool began his municipal career with the City of Buena Park in 1995 as an Administrative Aide in Public Works Maintenance. Over the next two decades, he advanced through increasingly senior leadership positions, including Assistant to the City Manager, Administrative Manager, and Deputy City Manager/Director of Human Resources, before being appointed City Manager. His career reflects extensive experience in organizational leadership, fiscal management, employee relations, strategic planning, and overseeing complex municipal operations and labor negotiations.
As Palm Springs Interim City Manager, Vanderpool will oversee day-to-day City operations, provide leadership and support to City departments, and work closely with the City Council and executive leadership team to advance major priorities, including public safety, housing, economic development, infrastructure improvements, and significant capital investments; including the renovation of the Palm Springs Public Library, the modernization and expansion of the Palm Springs Convention Center, and long-range improvements at Palm Springs International Airport.
Vanderpool holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from Purdue University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. He is a former president of the Orange County City Managers Association, former board member of the League of California Cities Orange County Division and served on the Executive Committee for Visit Anaheim. He also served as adjunct professor as part of California State University, Fullerton’s Master of Public Administration Program.
“I am honored by the confidence the Palm Springs City Council has placed in me and excited for the opportunity to serve such an exceptional, welcoming, and diverse community,” said Vanderpool. “Palm Springs is a world-class destination known not only for its beauty and vibrant economy, but also for its proud tradition of inclusivity, its strong sense of community, and its commitment to celebrating diversity. With so many important initiatives underway, my focus will be on providing steady, collaborative leadership, supporting the City’s employees, and working closely with the City Council and community to maintain momentum, strengthen City services, and deliver meaningful results.”
