Date in office 1996-1998
Robert Thomas was appointed by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors as the County Executive in January1996. During his tenure, Thomas oversaw the $1.4 billion annual operating budget and was recognized by Sacramento County’s Economic Development Program for his efforts to implement reuse plans at McClellan and Mather Air Force Base, providing more than 6,000 private sector jobs.
Thomas began his career in Sacramento with the North Highlands Recreation and Park District and after several positions throughout the state, returned to Sacramento in 1981 as the Director of Parks and Community Services for 10 years. Under his direction, the department increased revenue, grant funding and accomplished many important projects, including an expansion of the Crocker Art Museum. Thomas was appointed Executive Director of the City Office of Metropolitan Water Planning in January 1991 and then Deputy City Manager two years later.
While serving as Deputy City Manager, Thomas established the office of economic development that recruited or retained businesses such as Packard Bell, Tandy, Coca Cola Bottling and Blue Diamond, providing more than 10,000 jobs and $70 million to the city over 25 years. After his tenure as the County Executive, Thomas went on to become the City of Sacramento’s City Manager from January 1999 to December 2005 where he developed a sustainable budget plan that established the third highest credit rating of the 20 largest cities in California. As City Manager, Thomas also doubled the city’s water supply and was named Public Administrator of the Year in 2005 by the American Society for Public Administration.
Thomas received his B.A. degree in Park and Recreation Administration and MS in Administration from California State University Sacramento. Mr. Thomas was an active member of the California National Guard for 34 years and retired as a Colonel in 2005.
