Kenneth W. Striplin, Ed.D.
City Manager
KEN STRIPLIN is the City Manager for the City of Santa Clarita. Ken has worked for the City of Santa Clarita since 1996, serving in a leadership capacity in every City department during his tenure. He was honored with the 2021 Award for Career Excellence in Memory of Mark E. Keane by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). ICMA is the leading organization of local government professionals dedicated to creating and sustaining thriving communities throughout the world.
Ken has served as Department Head and Division Manager in several areas throughout his career and his experience has supported the City’s successful efforts in completing and/or implementing a number of complex projects and programs. Most recent accomplishments include the completion of the Central Park Buildout project, which adds an approximately 15-acres of amenities to the premier park in Santa Clarita; the Vista Canyon Multi-Modal Center, a monumental interagency collaboration, that provides a new Metrolink Station and new Bus Transfer Center, which includes, a grade separated pedestrian crossing and a new rail bridge; completion of the 46,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art, Sheriff Station; and the 25,000-square-foot, 9-acre Canyon Country Community Center.
Throughout his career, Ken has played an integral role in the fiscal and organizational success of the City of Santa Clarita. Working with the City Council and staff, Ken has helped to ensure the City delivers an on-time and balanced budget each year. These efforts resulted in multiple bond rating upgrades over the course of the Great Recession, including the highest rating of AAA by Standard & Poor’s in 2012, which the City continues to maintain. The City has also been recognized for its excellence in budgeting by the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers. Ken’s conservative fiscal planning has helped ensure the City is able to consistently provide essential services, while adding new offerings and meeting new demands.
Ken works closely with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles County Fire Department to address local issues, develop targeted programming and implement strategies that support the high-quality of life in Santa Clarita. Some of the City’s successes to date include: the addition of several new fire stations to meet the community’s growing needs; the development of the Sheriff Zone Program, which monitors and addresses community-specific crime trends and issues; and an overall effort to help Santa Clarita consistently lower annual crime rate statistics.
Ken has served as Personnel Officer for the City, overseeing all human resource activities and acting as the City’s labor negotiator. He has worked with staff to develop a successful workforce development plan and an award-winning mentoring program, which was recognized by the League of California Cities with a Helen Putnam award.
Earlier in his career, Ken was the recipient of the John H. Nail Award from the League of California Cities for his work as an outstanding Assistant City Manager. He has served on several local boards throughout his career, including the Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer and the Santa Clarita Valley YMCA. Ken serves as the California City Managers Foundation Board of Trustees President and is also a member of the County of Los Angeles Contract Cities Liability Trust Fund Claims Board.
Ken holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration from California State University, Northridge, as well as a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University. Ken and his family enjoy an active lifestyle and participate in baseball and football programs in the community.
FRANK OVIEDO has served as the City of Santa Clarita’s Assistant City Manager since 2013 and currently oversees the City’s day-to-day operations. This is his second stint with the City, previously serving the community from 1997 to 2002. In 2021, Frank was recognized with the John H. Nail Memorial Award from the League of California Cities. This distinguished award annually recognizes an outstanding municipal assistant who has contributed significantly to his or her City government and to the advancement of the community as a whole.
During his tenure with the City of Santa Clarita, Frank has accomplished many different priority goals and objectives and has served in many roles within the organization. He has led the City in obtaining thousands of dollars in grant funding and plays an integral role in the City’s budget process. Santa Clarita has a 100 percent track record for a balanced and on-time budget with an impressive 20 percent reserve fund. The City also maintains a AAA credit rating from Standard and Poor’s. Frank also oversees important City operations such as Public Safety, Intergovernmental Relations, Human Resources and Public Information.
Two of Frank’s greatest accomplishments occurred during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Frank facilitated the opening of The CUBE – Ice and Entertainment Center and the Bike Park of Santa Clarita. Both facilities came at a crucial time when our residents needed new outlets to get outside and get active, while social distancing and staying safe. Frank has a reputation for setting a vision for the future, exploring creative solutions to meet the needs of our community and prioritizing goals to plan for a successful future.
Before returning to Santa Clarita, Frank worked as the Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Elk Grove, from 2002-2009. During his time, Frank had direct oversight of the Departments of Public Works, Planning, Finance and Human Resources, while also supporting the Police Department. He then became the City of Wildomar’s first City Manager in 2009. He assisted the City Council in stabilizing the City’s finances during the 2009 Great Recession and developed Wildomar’s first comprehensive economic development plan.
Frank’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fresno and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Arizona State University. He is a member of the International City/County Manager Association and the California City Management Foundation. He has two children and enjoys sea kayaking, mountain biking and international travel.
