Patrick O'Reilly, a former interim finance manager for Arroyo Grande, has been hired as the Oceano Community Services District's new general manager.

The announcement was made by the OCSD board of directors after a closed session Wednesday night.

“I think he will fit in with the district well and be able to serve the district's customers at the highest level,” said board president Jim Hill. “We think his combination of financial focus and prior management experience is a very strong background.”

O'Reilly, a Grover Beach resident, will begin working part-time Monday and is expected to begin full-time employment Aug. 6 pending a physical exam and signing of an $87,500 contract, said interim General Manager Arnie Dowdy.

“I like the board, and I think I get along with them very well,” O'Reilly said. “I know there are some challenges working with the district operations, but I am looking forward to it.”

O'Reilly, 60, works for the Black Gold Cooperative Library System. He was interim city finance director for Arroyo Grande in 2004. Other prior jobs have included working for three California cities: finance manager in Novato, administrative services director in Coalinga and finance director in Lincoln; and accounting manager for the North Marin Water District. He's also a Navy veteran.

“Mr. O'Reilly is a fine man, and he will do a very good job for this district, probably work here until he retires,” Dowdy said, “The board is looking forward to working with him.”

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Unanimously, the board supported O'Reilly as the district's new GM, Dowdy said.

“We're very much looking forward to having him come on board,” Hill said.

O'Reilly said he expects to work at least five to six years and hopes to eventually retire in Grover Beach with his wife.

O'Reilly fills the vacancy of former General Manager Mitch Cooney, who resigned earlier this year. Dowdy, a former longtime Grover Beach city manager, had acted as the district's general manager in the interim.

July 27, 2007