City Manager Frank Fairbanks today announced that Cynthia Seelhammer will become the new City Council chief of staff, replacing Sharon Wood, who retired. Seelhammer, who currently serves as a deputy city manager, will begin her new position Monday, May 5.

Seelhammer joined the city in May, 2006 and has served as deputy city manager overseeing the Budget and Research, Finance, Public Works and Information Technology departments, Historic Preservation Office, Family Advocacy Center and the city’s sustainability efforts.

Prior to joining the city, Seelhammer served as Queen Creek town manager for 12 years, overseeing 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 of Public Administration from Golden Gate University in San Francisco.