After four years leading Santa Ana City Hall, City Manager Kristine Ridge stepped down Monday, Oct. 9.

“It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve the great city of Santa Ana,” Ridge said in a statement. “I wish nothing but continued success for the city and all its dedicated employees.”

In a six-to-one vote, with Councilmember Jessie Lopez voting no, the City Council agreed to accept her resignation and approved a severance and release agreement. Before joining the city in 2019, Ridge previously served as Laguna Niguel’s city manager in 2018 and Anaheim’s assistant city manager between 2014 and 2018.

“I would like to thank Kristine Ridge for her dedication and commitment to the city of Santa Ana and the many accomplishments she helped us achieve over the last few years,” Councilmember David Penaloza said. “Santa Ana is a better place to live, work and play because of her wonderful leadership and she will be missed greatly.”

In a post on LinkedIn, Ridge said she is “happy to share that I have retired from full-time city management,” but is still interested in temporary assignments to “assist local governments in the myriad of challenges they face.”

Mayor Valerie Amezcua said finding a replacement will be a top priority for the council moving forward.

“Ridge served this city very well,” Amezcua said in a statement, “and we are particularly appreciative of her leadership to the city and community during her tenure as city manager.”

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