CPCSD searching for new GM

Isaac Streeter

Staff writer

Cameron Park Community Services District General manager André Pichly recently announced he would step down after a year and a half of service in the role.

Pichly cited a number of reasons for his decision to leave, including his eligibility for retirement as well as expecting his granddaughter’s birth in the coming weeks.

Most importantly, Pichly said, was his struggle to balance family life, maintaining his health, his work for the CSD and his part-time teaching role at California State University, Sacramento.

“A lot of this was driven by quality of life.” Pichly said. “It’s just not healthy for me at my age.”

Pichly, 62, has spent a majority of his 33-year career in the parks and recreation sector. He said working as a general manager of an agency is a whole different beast from his previous roles.

“It’s a very challenging job,” Pichly explained. “It’s better for me to step away, enjoy retirement and let the next person take on the role.” Pichly added he remains satisfied with his work and said he thinks his lasting legacy will be the relationship developed between the CSD and Cal Fire.

In the wake of Pichly’s leaving, Jill Ritzman will come out of retirement to assume the title as interim GM. Ritzman previously served in the same role from 2017 until Pichly took over in December 2021.

The CPCSD Board of Directors will begin searching for a permanent general manager in the coming weeks with the goal of having a full-time replacement in the next three to four months.

Pichly said the CSD is looking for someone with experience in a similar position with a strong background in finance and policy procedure.

“This job is where a future city manager or general manager of a large (nonprofit or private agency) can come in and cut their teeth.” Pichly stated. In his retirement, Pichly will continue as a part time professor at Sac State in the College of Health and Human Services.