5800 Stanford Ranch Road
Suite 410
Rocklin, California 95765
916.630.4900
www.ralphandersen.com
May 12, 2026
Mayor Margie Mohler and
Members of the Town Council
Town of Yountville
6550 Yount Street
Yountville, California 94599
Via Email to: [email protected]
RE: Proposal – Town Manager Recruitment Services
Dear Mayor Mohler and Members of the Town Council:
We are pleased to submit this Proposal to recruit for the position of Town Manager for the Town of Yountville. We will facilitate this recruitment process and add value to the entire recruitment and selection process.
Ralph Andersen & Associates is an extremely capable, high-performance search firm with a longterm, proven, and verifiable track record of exceeding our clients’ expectations. At the same time, we remain a small, independently owned company that provides personal service and is extremely responsive to our clients. We also serve as the Town Council’s trusted advisor throughout this process, interacting and supporting as needed.
Our proposal outlines the firm’s experience in conducting City/Town Manager recruitments, the methodology/work plan and timeline to accomplish the search tasks, and the cost to conduct a comprehensive search process. If selected, the Town will have Ms. Heather Renschler, President/CEO of Ralph Andersen & Associates, as the Project Director. Ms. Renschler will also be assisted by a senior-level recruiter on this project (to be assigned upon contract award). Together, this Search Team will work closely with the Town Council to successfully conduct this recruitment.
We are prepared to begin upon official notice to proceed. We are prepared to devote considerable effort and use our resources to ensure that the recruited positions will represent the profession's highest standards.
Thank you very much for considering this proposal. We are ready to proceed upon notification of approval. Should you have any questions or need further clarification, you may reach me at (916) 630-4900 or directly on my cell phone (916) 804-2885.
Thank you very much for considering this proposal.
Respectfully Submitted,
Heather Renschler
President/CEO
Qualifications of the Firm
Executive Summary
Attracting top talent has never been more complex and Ralph Andersen & Associates is highly qualified to assist Town of Yountville with recruiting its new Town Manager. We have conducted more successful executive recruitments than any other recruitment firm since 1972. From helping the Town Council create a competency-based interview framework for the new Town Manager, including assessing candidates and attracting top human capital, our search professionals offer an unparalleled depth of experience, national reach, and knowledge.
The Town has requested our proposal to assist in identifying and recruiting a highly qualified group of candidates for the new Town Manager position. In particular, the Town is seeking a firm with a strong national presence and professional experience to clearly assess the Town’s needs and formulate a strategy to deliver results.
At Ralph Andersen & Associates, we believe that gaining a complete understanding of our client’s specific objectives and priorities is essential prior to launching any search assignment. This process includes identifying and incorporating a range of vital details, such as the candidate’s desired skills and experience, as well as critical “soft skills” related to temperament, personality, management philosophy, and other factors that will ultimately determine the candidate’s “fit” with the organization.
We begin each search by working closely with the Town’s leadership, stakeholders, staff, and, if desired, the community to develop a complete picture of the desired candidate pool. Our teamoriented approach, combined with this 360-degree perspective, ensures that a complete understanding of the organization’s mission and culture translates into the specific traits and characteristics that will enable the selected candidate to succeed in the position.
We understand that the Town expects aggressive, personalized outreach to identify a diverse and highly qualified applicant pool and a selection process that includes comprehensive candidate reports based on thorough reference and background checks. We will begin by identifying the desired characteristics and building a recruitment strategy tailored to the Town’s specific needs. The resulting outreach and advertising campaign will incorporate extensive personal outreach to recruit a highly qualified group of candidates.
Ralph Andersen & Associates serves a nationwide clientele focused on local government. The principal of the firm is Ms. Heather Renschler, President/CEO, and she has the full authority to legally bind the firm.
Why Choose Ralph Andersen & Associates?
Ralph Andersen & Associates, a California Corporation, has been providing executive search and management consulting for more than five decades. As such, the executive recruitment techniques used by Ralph Andersen & Associates have been developed and used successfully with hundreds of clients for more than 53 years.
With Ralph Andersen & Associates, there is an entire team behind every recruitment. Our firm takes a multi-disciplined, team approach to executive search. Successful outreach relies heavily on person-to-person contact to identify outstanding potential candidates and, in the evaluation phase, to gain a complete understanding of the background, experience, and management style of the top candidates. By drawing on the combined expertise of our associates and our network of professional contacts, we address outreach from a wide variety of perspectives and find unique ways to identify and recruit the best and brightest.
Project Staffing
The search firm's reputation and the recruiters' personal commitment determine the success or failure of any given recruitment. Ralph Andersen & Associates’ search professionals are acknowledged leaders in the field and possess a broad range of skills and experience in local government management, executive search, and related disciplines.
The Town of Yountville will have Ms. Heather Renschler, President/CEO of Relph Andersen & Associates, as the Project Director for this engagement. Additionally, another senior-level recruiter will also be assigned to this recruitment at the onset of the search, based on availability. Together, this Search Team will work collaboratively with the Town Council to deliver a successful recruitment.
The Search Team will have all the resources and full support of the firm, dedicated to ensuring the highest-quality outcome during this important recruitment process.
Ms. Heather Renschler, Project Director
Ms. Renschler has been with Ralph Andersen & Associates since 1985 and is the firm’s President/CEO. Ms. Renschler has overseen the recruitment practice of Ralph Andersen & Associates for the last 29 years and, as a result, is often involved with recruitments on a national scale and those of an extremely sensitive and critical nature. She is experienced at working with all types of organizations on the recruitment and selection of top talent.
Ms. Renschler has extensive experience conducting public-sector recruitments and, as a result, has developed a national network of contacts and potential candidates. Ms. Renschler is well-versed in providing recruitment services to City/Town Councils and boards for the selection of top executives. Over the years, she has developed an extensive professional network both in California and nationally from which to attract potential candidates.
Before joining Ralph Andersen & Associates, Ms. Renschler had extensive private sector experience in administrative support in the areas of construction management, health care, and public accounting. Ms. Renschler attended the University of Toledo and majored in Accounting and Journalism and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from the University of San Francisco.
Ms. Renschler may be reached at (916) 630-4900 or directly on her cell at (916) 804-2885 or via email at [email protected].
Paraprofessional and Support Staff
Paraprofessionals, graphics, and support staff will provide administrative support to the consultant team on recruitment assignments. These may include Ms. Diana Haussmann, Ms. Christen Sanchez, and Ms. Karen AllGood.
Relevant Experience
Ralph Andersen & Associates conducts a wide array of searches in the public sector. Our experience spans populations of all sizes, from the largest in the country to small and mid-size municipalities.
While we have a strong focus in California, we also conduct recruitments on a national scale.
Expansive network of City/Town Manager Searches – We have one of the strongest track records of conducting City/Town Manager searches. The following listing represents contracts that were awarded to Ralph Andersen & Associates and staffed by a member of our recruitment team from 2020 to Present.
x Artesia, CA – Manager (2022) and (2024)
x Barstow, CA – City Administrator (2021)
x Calabasas, CA – City Manager (2021)
x California City, CA – City Manager (2022)
x Calistoga, CA – Assistant City Manager (2024)
x Carpinteria – City Manager (2023)
x Cerritos, CA – City Manager (2023)
x Colma, CA – City Manager (2023)
x Commerce, CA – City Manager (Partial Search) (2024)
x Compton, CA – City Manager (2022 & 2024)
x Coronado, CA
Ì Assistant City Manager (2022)
Ì City Manager (2021)
Ì Deputy City Manager (2025)
x Costa Mesa, CA – Assistant City Manager (2023)
x Cypress, CA – City Manager (2025)
x Eastvale, CA – City Manager (2022)
x El Segundo, CA – City Manager (2022)
x Emeryville, CA – City Manager (2022)
x Encinitas, CA – City Manager (2020)
x Fairfax, CA – Town Manager (2021)
x Foster City, CA – City Manager (2022)
x Gilroy, CA – City Administrator (2025)
x Goleta, CA
Ì Assistant City Manager (2024)
Ì City Manager (2022)
x Grand Terrace, CA – City Manager (2021)
x Gustine, CA – City Manager (2022)
x Highland, CA – City Manager (2024)
x La Palma, CA – City Manager (2020 & 2025)
x La Verne, CA – City Manager (2022)
x Laguna Beach, CA – City Manager (2024)
x Loma Linda, CA – Assistant City Manager (2025)
x Los Altos, CA – City Manager (2021)
x Los Altos Hills, CA – City Manager (2026)
x Los Banos, CA – City Manager (2025)
x Mill Valley, CA – City Manager (2020 & 2022)
x Modesto, CA – Deputy City Manager (2022 & 2023)
x Montebello, CA – City Manager (2023)
x National City, CA – City Manager (Current Search)
x Nevada City, CA – City Manager (2022 & 2025)
x Norco, CA – City Manager (2022)
x Oakland, CA – City Administrator (2020 & 2023)
x Ojai, CA – City Manager (2024)
x Palm Desert, CA – City Manager (2021)
x Palm Springs, CA – Assistant City Manager (2021)
x Palos Verdes Estates, CA – City Manager (2023)
x Pismo Beach, CA – City Manager (2023)
x Riverside, CA – City Manager (2022)
x San Bernardino, CA – City Manager (2025)
x Santa Monica, CA – City Manager (2021)
x Sierra Madre, CA – City Manager (2021)
x Stockton, CA – Deputy City Manager II (Two Placements) (2020) x Solvang, CA – City Manager (2023)
x South Pasadena, CA – City Manager (2025)
x Upland, CA – City Manager (2021)
x Watsonville, CA – City Manager (2024)
x West Hollywood, CA – City Manager (2025)
x Whittier, CA – City Manager (2025)
x Yorba Linda, CA – City Manager (2025)
Work Plan
Summary of Our Search Process
The successful search process relies heavily on person-to-person contact to identify outstanding potential candidates and, in the evaluation phase, to gain a complete understanding of the background, experience, and management style of the top candidates. The executive recruitment techniques used by Ralph Andersen & Associates have been developed and used successfully with hundreds of clients for more than 53 years.
x Developing a comprehensive position profile based upon information obtained in various meetings with the Town Council, Human Resources staff, and other designated Town staff and stakeholders.
x Reviewing current compensation and recommending changes based upon market and competitive conditions, if desired by the Town.
x Extensive personal outreach, via telephone and through internet technology, to qualified candidates throughout California, the Western Region, and selectively beyond, if desired. x A marketing strategy that uses selected advertising to supplement the extensive candidate identification process, uses the Internet and social media, and also uses our already established professional contacts throughout the region. x A screening process that narrows the field of candidates to those that most closely match the needs of the Town and is based on screening interviews with the top candidates.
Candidates’ education, experience, and credentials are matched to the criteria established in the position profile.
x Delivering a product in the form of a search report that recommends a top group of candidates and provides the Town with detailed information about their backgrounds and experience.
x Conduct final background and verifications, including references, on the top candidate. x Assist in negotiations of employment offer.
x Close out the search and notify all candidates not selected.
Ralph Andersen & Associates has an outstanding reputation for being thorough and professional in its recruitment approach. Each candidate’s match with the position is based on the individual’s professional experience, management style, education, credentials, and overall fit with the organization and executive leadership.
Search Work Plan
This section describes the usual steps in the search for a new Town Manager for the Town of Yountville. This recruitment will be under the direction of Ms. Heather Renschler as Project Director with the assistance of a senior-level recruiter (assigned at the onset of the engagement).
Task 1 – Review Project Management Approach
The Search Team will begin work on this project within 10 days (or sooner) after the Town provides a contract or, alternatively, an official notice to proceed. The first task will include established individual and/or group meetings with the Town Council, Human Resources, or key Town staff, as appropriate, to finalize the recruiting and selection process (in-person or via video). This will include discussion of the project management for this search, review of the work plan, confirmation of timing, and communication methods. Working collaboratively with the Town Council, Human Resources, and key Town staff, this task will result in a more definitive timetable.
As part of our overall approach to this project, the Search Team will deliver regular updates (typically done orally) throughout each stage of the search. In addition, the Search Team will be accessible and responsive to client requests and inquiries.
Task 2 – Develop Position Profile
The Town Manager position profile serves as the guide for the entire search process. The development of the profile includes collecting technical information and defining recruitment criteria.
Technical Information
The Project Director will conduct meetings with the Town Council, Human Resources, key staff members, and others, as directed by the Town, to gain an understanding of the experience and professional background requirements for the Town Manager. These meetings will also help the Project Director understand the work environment and the issues facing the Town of Yountville. Meetings will be held in person, or video meetings can also be arranged.
Recruitment Criteria
The recruitment criteria are those personal and professional characteristics and experiences desired in the Town Manager. The criteria should reflect the Town of Yountville's goals and priorities.
Subsequent to the development and adoption of the candidate profile, the technical information and recruitment criteria will be documented in an information brochure prepared by Ralph Andersen & Associates. The Town will review the draft brochure, revise it as appropriate, and publish it for use throughout the search.
Optional Service (Community Survey) – The Town Council may desire to obtain input from the Community on the qualities they would like to see in the new Town Manager. To facilitate Community input, the Search Team is available to conduct an online survey.
Additionally, our process can allow for email comments to Ralph Andersen & Associates relating to the desired qualities of the next Town Manager. See Cost Section for more details on pricing.
Task 3 – Outreach and Recruiting
This task is among the most important of the entire search. It is the focus of the activities of the Search Team and includes specific outreach and recruiting activities briefly described below.
Outreach
An accelerated outreach and advertising campaign will be developed. It will include the placement of ads in publications such as Western City Magazine, International City/County Management Association (ICMA), and other professional publications. Additionally, a select number of other government-related websites will be used to extend the targeted outreach in a short period of time.
Additionally, the advertisement and the full text of the position profile (the recruitment brochure) will be placed on Ralph Andersen & Associates’ website, which is accessed by a large number of qualified candidates. This method of outreach to potential applicants provides a confidential source that is monitored by many key level executives on an ongoing basis.
Candidate Identification
Ralph Andersen & Associates will use their extensive contacts to focus on the recruiting effort. In making these contacts, the Search Team will reach out directly to individuals who meet the Town's criteria. Each candidate identified through the recruiting efforts will receive
an information brochure. Candidates will also be contacted directly to discuss the position and to solicit their interest in being considered.
Both the outreach and recruiting activities will result in applications and resumes from interested candidates. As they are received, resumes will be acknowledged, and candidates will be advised of the general timing of the search process. The following tasks involve the actual selection process once all resumes have been received.
Task 4 – Candidate Evaluation
This task will be conducted following the application closing date. It includes the following specific activities:
Screening
All of the applications will be carefully reviewed. Those that meet the recruitment criteria and minimum qualifications will be identified and subject to a more detailed evaluation. This evaluation will include consideration of such factors as professional experience, and size and complexity of the candidate’s current organization as compared to the candidate’s profile.
Preliminary Research and Internet Review
The research staff of Ralph Andersen & Associates, under the direction of the Search Team, will conduct preliminary research and internet review for those candidates identified as the most qualified as a result of the screening process. This level of research will be conducted on a limited number of candidates to learn more about each candidate’s public profile and related information available online.
Preliminary Interviews (by Recruiters) via Video Technology The Search Team will conduct preliminary interviews with the top candidates identified through screening, preliminary research, and Internet review. The interviews are extensive and designed to gain additional information about the candidates’ experience, management style, and “fit” with the recruitment criteria. Interviews will be conducted using video technology.
The screening portion of the candidate evaluation process typically reduces a field of applicants to approximately four (4) to six (6) individuals. Those individuals will be reviewed with the Town prior to proceeding with the individual interviews.
Task 5 – Search Report
After completing Task 4, all documentation will be electronically supplied to the Town (preferred method). The Search Team will prepare detailed information for review, including resumes uploaded to a file-sharing system (i.e., OneDrive or ShareFile). The Project Director will meet with the Town Council (in-person or via video) to review the search report on the top candidates. The report divides all of the candidates into four groups, including 1) the top group of candidates that are recommended to be interviewed by the Town Council; 2) a backup group to the first group; 3) a group for which no further consideration is required; and 4) a group that lacks minimum qualifications. The Search Report will include candidate resumes and cover letters. The results of preliminary media research will be included. This meeting will result in a confirmed group of top candidates for the Town to further consider.
The traditional approach is to conduct a partial background on the top 2-3 candidates with various verifications, internet search, and limited references (outside of the current employer). References for current employers are often not released by candidates until the final stage of the search process when they are assured of being the candidate of choice. Verifications such as credit check, DMV Report, and civil/criminal are typically conducted once a contingent offer is made to the selected
candidate unless the finalist candidate(s) gives explicit approval and sign a release to proceed.
Education checks are conducted before the slate of candidates interviews with the Town Council.
The results of the Search Report will be a confirmed group of finalist candidates that the Town Council will interview.
Task 6 – Selection
The final selection process will vary depending on the Town Council's desires. The typical services provided by Ralph Andersen & Associates in the selection process are described briefly below:
x The Search Team will coordinate the selection process for the finalist group of candidates.
This includes handling logistical matters with candidates and with the Town. x Ralph Andersen & Associates will prepare an electronic interview booklet (uploaded to a file-sharing program such as OneDrive or ShareFile) that includes the resume, cover letter, and preliminary media research for each candidate. In addition, this electronic information will include suggested questions and discussion topics based on the recruitment criteria.
Electronic copies of the interview booklet will be provided in advance of the candidate interviews.
x The Project Director will facilitate the Interviews to assist the Town through the selection process. This assistance will include an initial orientation, candidate introductions, and facilitation of discussion of candidates after all interviews have been completed. x Additionally, verifications will be made on the top two candidates and will include education verifications, Department of Motor Vehicle check, criminal and civil check, and credit check.
The results of these verifications will be discussed with the Town at the appropriate time. x Reference checks will be conducted on the top candidate. The results of these reference checks will be discussed with the Town Council at the appropriate time during a closed session.
x As needed, the Search Team is available to provide assistance to the Town Council in the final selection as may be desired. This assistance may include providing or obtaining any additional information needed to support the final selection decision.
Task 7 – Negotiation
The Search Team is available to assist the Town Council in negotiating a compensation package with the selected candidate. This includes recommendations on setting compensation levels.
Additionally, Ralph Andersen & Associates will work closely with the Town Attorney on the deal points to be included in the employment agreement. As required by the Brown Act, the employment agreement for the new Town Manager must be approved and voted on at a regularly scheduled Town Council meeting.
Task 8 – Close Out
After the Town has reached an agreement with the individual selected for the position, the Project Director will close out the search. These activities will include advising all finalist candidates by telephone on the status of the search.
Project Timing
We anticipate a timeframe of approximately 90 days (or less) from the execution of the agreement between the Town and Ralph Andersen & Associates to the presentation of the finalists for an interview. Negotiation with the top candidate will take an additional week after finalist interviews.
A brief overview of the recruitment schedule is presented below (the schedule does not include the transition time for the selected candidate to join the Town).
Task Estimated Week
of Completion
Task 1 – Review Project Management Approach Week One
Task 2 – Develop Position Profile and Recruitment Brochure Week One – Week Two Task 3 – Outreach and Recruiting Week Two – Seven
Task 4 – Candidate Evaluation
Ongoing Throughout Process
(typically more focused during Week
Six and Week Seven)
Task 5 – Search Report Week Eight – Week Nine
Task 6 – Selection Week Nine - Week Ten
Task 7 – Negotiation Week Ten – Week Eleven
Task 8 – Close Out Week Twelve
Additionally, the Project Director has the capacity to focus on this recruitment to meet the process's timing and milestones, as outlined above.
Project Cost
The recruitment effort for a new Town Manager for the Town of Yountville will be a comprehensive search process with a focus primarily in California and the Western Region. The review of resumes and qualifications will be conducted on all candidates who submit, giving the Town the ability to select from a broad field of qualified candidates. The professional services fee to perform this search will be a fixed fee of $36,500 for recruitment services and all related expenses (not including a supplemental fee for the Community Survey).
*Note – Expenses included in this fixed fee include such items as advertising, consultant interaction (anticipated to be done in-person or via video), clerical, graphic design, research, and long-distance telephone charges. On top candidates, Internet and Lexis/Nexis searches will be conducted.
Additionally, education verifications, DMV checks, wants and warrants, civil and criminal litigation search, and credit check will be conducted on the top two candidates. Detailed reference checks will be conducted on the top candidate.
Invoicing for Services – Ralph Andersen & Associates will bill the fixed fee to the Town in four installments as follows:
x Following kick-off and finalization of recruitment brochure - $10,950 x After the closing date - $10,950
x After finalist interviews - $10,950
x Upon placement - $3,650
Progress payments will be due upon receipt.
Brochure – A full-color electronic brochure will be developed for the Town Manager recruitment. All pictures will be the Town's responsibility. The Town will also be responsible for ensuring that there are no copyright restrictions on the photographs supplied to Ralph Andersen & Associates and for agreeing to pay any and all related charges or fines if a copyright violation is incurred, either during the search itself or subsequently.
Optional Service (Community Survey) – Should the Town choose to conduct a Community Survey with summarized results; this service would cost an additional $4,500.
Exception – All candidate travel is the full responsibility of the Town.
Guarantee
Ralph Andersen & Associates offers the industry-standard guarantee on our full search services. If the Town Manager resigns or is dismissed for cause within one year of appointment, we will conduct another search free of all professional services charges. The Town of Yountville would be expected to reimburse all expenses incurred.
If a placement is not made in the first outreach effort, the Consultant will conduct a second outreach effort with no charge for Professional Services. The Town of Yountville would be expected to pay for all incurred expenses.