TUCSON, Arizona -- The City of Tucson is pleased to announce the hiring of Manjeet Ranu as the new director of the Planning and Development Services Department (PDSD). He will begin work on Feb. 6.
A competitive, nationwide search was held to fill the position after the retirement of former director Nicole Ewing-Gavin who replaced Ernie Duarte who left on September 18, 2015 to accept a position outside the development industry.
Finalists were interviewed by City staff and a panel of local stakeholders, including neighborhood representatives, architects and other development professionals. Ranu was selected by City Manager Michael Ortega.
"The City has made extensive changes in the Planning and Development Services Department over the last year to improve customer service, streamline processes, and implement new technology," Ortega said. "Manjeet's extensive experience in public administration and as a private consultant in the San Diego area will be instrumental in furthering improvements in the department."
Ranu has worked in both the public and private sector and most recently served as the interim acting director of Planning & Building for the until tendering his resignation on November 1.
Ranu had been serving as the interim head of the city’s planning division since October 2015.
As PDSD director, Ranu will oversee a nearly $6 million budget and a staff of 57 employees across many work teams. The department handles all aspects of planning, development review, permitting, construction inspection, and adhering to Plan Tucson, the City’s General Plan approved by voters in 2013.
In addition to the day-to-day operations of PDSD, key issues and priorities set for Ranu include economic development, organizational assessment, stakeholder relations, and customer service/community relations.
Click for PDSD Organizational Chart Jan 2017