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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN RECOGNITION OF KATHY LEROUX
______
HON. JACKIE SPEIER
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Katharine S. Leroux for
almost three decades of outstanding public service to the town of
Hillsborough, California, the last three years as the first female city
manager. Kathy is a remarkable community leader and a force to be
reckoned with.
After leaving her career in the telecommunication industry, Kathy
started her public service career as a water rationing coordinator in
1990, in the midst of a severe drought. She credits that job with
deeply connecting her with Hillsborough residents. When her second
child was born in 1991, she took some time off to focus on her family
and then returned to the city in 1992 as an account clerk in the
Finance Department. In 1995, she was promoted to City Clerk in which
role she updated the city council agenda process and the municipal
code. She also attained her Certified Municipal Clerk designation.
In 2003, Kathy was promoted to Assistant to the City Manager and then
two years later to Assistant City Manager where her responsibilities
increased tremendously. She oversaw the office she formerly held, City
Clerk, and Human Resources. She led labor negotiations, developed
annual operating budgets and served as the Acting Director for the
Building and Planning Department and the Public Works Department when
there were vacancies.
Working in and with all of these departments perfectly prepared Kathy
to become City Manager and to effectively run the town's business. In
May 2015, she became Interim City Manager and the following January
City Manager. She maintained Hillsborough's fiscal stability and
General Fund reserves, navigated State mandated water use reductions,
developed a process for small wire development, revamped the website,
developed the Climate Action Plan, expanded management teambuilding and
employment recognition, and enhanced communication with residents--an
impressive list of accomplishments that has benefitted the town and
will continue to do so long after her retirement.
Kathy says she was afforded amazing growth opportunities by taking
two life-changing educational programs. The first one was Continuing
Education for Public Officials which she completed in Santa Barbara in
the late 1990s. The second was the Senior Executives in State and Local
Government program at the Harvard University Kennedy School which she
completed in 2007.
During her tenure, Kathy served on several boards including The
Cities Group, San Mateo County Telecommunications Authority, and the
Association of Bay Area Governments. She was also the Administrative
Officer for the Central County Fire Department.
Born in San Francisco, Kathy grew up in South San Francisco and
attended El Camino High School. She took classes at San Diego State
University, Michigan State University, Skyline College and the College
of San Mateo and then spent three years working in the private sector
for PacTel InfoSystems in San Francisco.
Kathy and Bert, her husband of 32 years, are devoted parents of Louie
and Victoria. In her well-deserved retirement, Kathy plans to remodel
her San Bruno house, adopt a dog, take golf lessons and spend more time
reading, cooking and traveling.
Madam Speaker, I ask the members of the House of Representatives to
join me in recognizing Katharine Leroux, an exemplary public servant
and dear friend, who leaves behind big shoes to fill for the next City
Manager of Hillsborough. Her contributions to the town over the last 28
years will be felt for years to come.
____________________
