April 21, 2023

Dear Cambria,

Re: Introduction of Matthew McElhenie as the New General Manager

I am honored to introduce myself as the new General Manager of Cambria. As a dedicated public servant with a passion for community development, I am excited to join the well-regarded staff in Cambria and work towards enhancing the quality of life for our residents.

With my experience in emergency services and leadership in academia, I bring a variety of knowledge and expertise to the role of General Manager. My background includes 18 years in emergency Services, of which 15 were spent working part-time in Cambria as a Cambria Community Healthcare District paramedic and two years as a reserve firefighter/paramedic for the Cambria Community Services District. These unique and diverse experiences are what I believe will contribute to our community’s continued success and growth.

As General Manager, I am committed to upholding transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in all aspects of city governance. Which undoubtedly, has been a struggle under previous leadership. I have been attending board meetings for some time now (virtually), and I can say I hear you. I hear each of you on the lack of transparency, communication, and just a lack of trust. I see and understand that there are wounds that need to be tended to and voices that need to be heard. I will work closely with the Board of Directors and staff to implement strategic initiatives, manage district resources, and engage with the community to understand your needs and concerns. I will be out in the community; I have no intention of hiding in an office, hiding from criticism, hiding from emails, or dodging phone calls.  I would like to host a coffee hour where anyone can sit and talk with me.  I want to create a bi-weekly newsletter from the General Manager that gives you some insight into our projects and plans while garnering our community’s input before it appears on the agenda and is crammed through as a resolution. I want to engage in dialog with you. I am dedicated to promoting our environment, improving public services, and fostering a safe and welcoming environment for all residents.

I am honored to serve the citizens of Cambria and look forward to collaborating with the talented and dedicated staff in Cambria to achieve our shared vision for the future. I am committed to building solid relationships with stakeholders, listening to diverse perspectives, and making informed decisions in the best interest of our community. I am eager to meet and work with you and am confident we can achieve great things for our community. Please contact me at (805) 927-6230 or (805) 503-0466 with any questions, concerns, or ideas. I am here to serve you and ensure that Cambria continues to thrive.

Thank you for your warm welcome, and I am excited to embark on this journey with you all.

Sincerely,

Matthew McElhenie

General Manager

Cambria Community Services District