Fairfield Names New Community Development Director

Fairfield Names New Community Development Director
By Ben Antonius | Daily Republic | January 16, 2008

FAIRFIELD - Continuing a trend, Fairfield looked internally to find a new director of the Community Development Department.

City Manager Sean Quinn on Wednesday announced the appointment of Eve Somjen to that position, which Quinn held before his promotion in December. The department consists of three divisions Planning, Economic Development and Redevelopment, and Housing and has 47 full- and part-time employees.

Somjen has been serving as interim director since Quinn became city manager.

Somjen has been a city employee for more than 18 years. She began her tenure in 1989 as principal planner in what was then called the Long-Range Planning Division of the department. In 1991, she was promoted to assistant director and, through the years, has managed many functions in the department.

In a city press release, Somjen stated her goals include maintaining employee morale and productivity as the city works through budget cuts.

'Based on direction from the City Council, and given the current slowdown in the housing market, the department will be focusing its attention on business attraction and recruitment,' she stated. 'We will continue to provide high-quality service to all our customers.'

Prior to coming to Fairfield, Somjen worked for the city of Irvine for five years. She holds degrees from Brown University and the University of Southern California. Somjen lives in Fairfield and is married to Harry Englebright, a planning consultant with Solano County.

Reach Ben Antonius at 427-6977 or bantonius@dailyrepublic.net.