Bob Richardson's immediate Sun City focus getting safely through COVID-19

Bob Richardson, hired as Sun City Lincoln Hills Community Association's interim executive director in September to replace the just-fired executive director, was named the association's permanent executive director on Nov. 9. Richardson retired as Auburn city manager in August. "I had no interest in going back to work but I had been here for so many occasions in the past for business meetings and conferences and some entertainment that I was entirely intrigued by the opportunity," Richardson said. "It's a different kind of business, an exciting business, focusing on a much narrower portion of the broader community. I get to deal with folks that are 55-plus and I haven't been able to have that kind of focus ever in my career. It's both a real pleasure and a challenge." Richardson's official transition into the new role begins in January. Richardson most recently spent three years as the Auburn city manager, a role he originally manned in Auburn from 2003 to 2014 before a three-year stint in the same role in Grass Valley. Prior to Auburn, Richardson spent six years as the city manager of Lemon Grove, a small town outside of San Diego. While he has never worked in a homeowners association capacity, Richardson said, his prior experience of more than 20 years of city management is still valuable. "The processes of dealing with people are still the same," Richardson said. "It's giving people the opportunity to have a voice and see how we can turn their thoughts and ideas and desires into a reality." Richardson's short-term plans for Sun City Lincoln Hills involve navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic safely and openly for its more than 11,000 residents. In the long run, Richardson said, he plans to seek "clarity" from the Sun City Lincoln Hills Community Association Board and input from the community to incorporate a "combined vision and work program." "Both the board and the community really look for openness and transparency in communication, and I think staff has done a really good job at that and we'll continue broadening our efforts in those areas," Richardson said. "A lot of good work gets done here but we have to do a better job of communicating what we're doing and why." Alice Crawford, Sun City Lincoln Hills Community Association board president, said that Richardson "had demonstrated an excellent rapport with the residents and a keen grasp for the issues." "We are delighted to have found him," she said. Former Sun City Lincoln Hills Community Association Board President David Conner, who is also running for re-election in the association's Board of Directors race in February, was "pleasantly surprised" with Richardson's charm. "I've always said the executive director here should be like a recreation director on a cruise ship. Bob seems to be that to me," Conner said. "There is a varied skill set that we have here with our employees and my question would be how well he can handle that. But with his experience as a director of a city, I'm guessing there could be some similar issues and the same talents might be needed. "Bob will have his work cut out for him but I've got a hunch he'll be great," Conner said. Richardson expressed excitement for the opportunity to serve in a role unlike any he has held. "People moved to Sun City Lincoln Hills to enjoy the beautiful amenities and activities, which the staff has done a brilliant job with for many, many years," Richardson said. "Our residents have amazing personal and professional backgrounds. There are so many willing to help and assist with operations and running the organization. We have this huge talent base to draw from and I've never worked in a place like that."