Walla Walla hires deputy city manager

WALLA WALLA­—The city of Walla Walla hires Robert “Bob Francis as deputy city manager and director of the Support Services Department. He will begin his employment with the city on April 3, 2023.

Before coming to Walla Walla, Francis worked as city manager of Belle Isle, Florida, since 2017. He was executive director of the Mid-Columbia Council of Governments in The Dalles, Ore. He has been city manager for Hood River, Oregon; Grant, Nebraska; and the Borough of Stroudsburg, Penn.

Francis is an International City Management Association (ICMA) credentialed city manager, and a 14-year Veteran of the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of captain and serving in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

“Bob brings to the position many years of city management experience that will be an asset to the city and the leadership team, as well as me,” City Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain said.

Francis’ role with the city of Walla Walla will include overseeing the five divisions of the Support Services Department; the citywide risk-management program; the Homeless Sleep Center; and the indigent defense contract. He will serve as the city treasurer and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title VI coordinator, and as acting city manager as directed by the city manager.

“I am honored to be selected for this position and to become part of an outstanding group of professionals on the Walla Walla team,” Francis said. “My wife, Holli, and I are very excited to be coming to Walla Walla and we look forward to being very involved in the community.”