City Manager Frank Fairbanks today announced the hiring of four new deputy city managers, the fire chief and city clerk.

Joining the deputy city manager’s team are Cynthia Seelhammer, David Cavazos, David Krietor and Ruth Osuna.

“This was a very competitive process, and we were pleased with the number of extremely qualified candidates,” said Fairbanks.

“The individuals that we’ve hired are outstanding and bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to the management team.”

Seelhammer currently serves as town manager of Queen Creek. She has served in this position for the past 12 years, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the town and a budget of $157 million. She also has held other management positions in local government including working for the cities of La Mesa, Calif.; Saint Paul, Minn.; and Mesa, Ariz.

Seelhammer earned her bachelor of arts degree in English and Mass Communication from Saint Cloud State University in Minnesota and a Master’s of Public Administration from Golden Gate University in San Francisco.

Cavazos, a 19-year city of Phoenix employee, currently serves as acting deputy city manager, overseeing the Housing, Neighborhood Services and Community and Economic Development departments and the Downtown Development Office. Prior to joining the City Manager’s Office, Cavazos served as acting aviation director and helped launch the Small Business Division of the Community and Economic Development Department.

Cavazos earned his bachelor of arts degree in Political Science from Western Illinois University and a Master’s of Science in Management and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University.

For more than seven years, Krietor has served as acting director and director of the Aviation Department, where he is responsible for management and operation of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the seventh busiest airport in the country, as well as Deer Valley and Goodyear airports. In 2004, he served as Mayor Phil Gordon’s chief of staff, and from 1994 to 1998, he was director of the city’s Community and Economic Development Department. Prior to joining the city of Phoenix in 1991, Krietor served in various economic development positions in Syracuse, N.Y.

Krietor earned his bachelor of science degree in Business Management from Syracuse University and a Master’s of Public Administration from the Maxwell School, Syracuse University.

Osuna currently serves as program director for Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) in Phoenix, an organization dedicated to helping nonprofit community development corporations transform distressed neighborhoods into healthy communities of choice and opportunity. Prior to joining LISC, she held various positions in local government and the housing and banking industries.

Osuna earned her bachelor of science degree in English and Journalism in Education from Northern Arizona University and a Master’s of Public Administration from Arizona State University.

Fairbanks also made other important department appointments today, including naming Bob Khan the new fire chief and Mario Paniagua the new city clerk.

“The fire chief and city clerk serve in very different, but very critical, positions,” said Fairbanks.

“Bob and Mario are proven leaders and will help provide excellent services to our community,” he said.

Khan, who has been with the Phoenix Fire Department since 1982, was promoted to assistant chief in 2001. He currently manages the Public Information and Education Section, Fire Investigations, Labor Relations and Personnel Services. He also has served as the liaison with the Phoenix Police Department, FBI and numerous local and national fire departments.

Khan earned his bachelor of arts degree in Communications from Arizona State University, and is a graduate of the John F. Kennedy School of Government’s Crisis Management program, the MIT Negotiating Labor Agreement program, and the Arizona State University Fire Science Institute.

Since 2004, Paniagua has served as deputy city clerk, overseeing the council support, license services, official records, and open meeting law areas. Before working in the City Clerk Department, he held positions in the City Council Office and the city’s Family Advocacy Center, which provides services and support for women and families of domestic abuse.

Prior to joining the city, Paniagua served seven years in the U.S. Air Force. He earned his bachelor of science degree in Business and Human Resources from Arizona State University.

Fairbanks also announced today that Moe Gallegos has been named acting director of the Family Advocacy Center. Gallegos is replacing Ginger Spencer, who recently was named deputy director in the Public Works Department.