Blue Lake City Council Appoints Jennie Short as City Manager Following Successful Recruitment Process Led by TS Talent Solutions
The City of Blue Lake City Council appointed Jennie Short as City Manager following a focused executive recruitment effort led by Tripepi Smith Talent Solutions (TSTS). The City Council unanimously approved her appointment at its December 23, 2025 meeting, with Jennie officially stepping into the role on January 5, 2026. She succeeds Interim City Manager Jill Duffy, who has served the City since August 2025.
With nearly three decades of experience as a civil engineer and public sector leader, Jennie brings a strong background in infrastructure development, regulatory compliance and fiscal management. A third-generation Blue Lake resident and Chico State University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, she combines deep community ties with technical expertise. Throughout her career, she has overseen over 50 million dollars in capital improvement projects spanning airports, bridges, roadways, water and sewer systems, flood control and recreational facilities and has held leadership roles including Airport Manager, Roads Branch Manager for the Six Rivers National Forest and Assistant City Engineer. For the past 16 years, she has worked closely with special districts in Southern Humboldt County, most notably the Garberville Sanitary District, where she led major infrastructure replacements, managed enterprise fund budgets, conducted rate studies, oversaw audits and developed long-term capital improvement and strategic plans.
“We are excited to welcome Jennie’s deep understanding of infrastructure, finance and small-town governance, along with her personal connection to Blue Lake to serve our community,” said Blue Lake Mayor John Sawatzky. “Recruiting for a community like Blue Lake requires a thoughtful approach that reflects our location, values and close-knit culture. TS Talent Solutions understood that and helped us identify strong candidates and navigate the selection process with confidence.”
Led by TSTS Executive Recruiter Christine Martin and supported by Senior Recruitment Coordinator Kylie Sun and Assistant Recruitment Coordinator Julia Gale, the recruitment process focused on identifying a highly qualified candidate pool ideal for Blue Lake’s tight knit organizational culture and small, rural government entity. Through targeted outreach efforts, a tailored recruitment brochure and meetings with City Council and staff to better understand the community’s priorities, the team was able to present candidates who were a strong fit for the role.
“This search was about understanding Blue Lake from the inside out,” said Christine. “By meeting directly with Council members and City staff, we gained valuable insight into the City’s culture, priorities and long-term vision. That collaborative approach allowed us to identify candidates who genuinely aligned with Blue Lake’s unique needs. Jennie’s experience, leadership style and deep community connection made her a natural fit, and we’re proud to have supported the City through this important transition.”
“It’s truly an honor to serve the community that raised me,” said Jennie. “Blue Lake has always held a special place in my heart, and I’m excited to work alongside City leadership, staff and residents as we move into the next chapter of our City’s history. I appreciate the support and guidance from TS Talent Solutions throughout the recruitment process, which made this transition feel seamless and welcoming.”
About TS Talent Solutions
TS Talent Solutions is a California-based executive search and talent development organization focused on the local government sector. A division of Tripepi Smith, TS Talent Solutions leverages the expertise and digital acumen of its parent firm to deliver next-generation recruitment solutions for public agencies. The quest for talent never ends, but progress is made with TS Talent Solutions.
We’ve sourced talent for:
City of American Canyon, Town of Atherton, City of Bainbridge Island (WA), City of Bell, City of Commerce, City of Fairfield, City of Indian Wells, City of Indio, City of La Cañada Flintridge, City of Lomita, City of Manteca, City of Morro Bay, City of Needles, City of Palos Verdes Estates, City of Paramount, City of Pasco (WA), City of Rosemead, City of San Luis Obispo, City of Saratoga, City of Tracy, Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District, Humboldt County Association of Governments, Redwood Coast Energy Authority, Ventura Council of Governments, West County Wastewater District
We’ve developed strategic plans for:
City of Bellflower, City of Carpinteria, City of Cerritos, City of Foster City, City of Hercules, City of La Cañada Flintridge, City of Lomita, City of Westminster, Heartland Fire & Rescue