SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 17, 2025 –
After nearly five decades in public service - three years as City Manager, three years as Assistant City Manager, City Manager Sharon Ranals announced her plans to retire in December 2025.
Ranals began her career with the City of South San Francisco in 1980 as a part-time employee in the Parks and Recreation Department. She became a full-time staff member in 1984 and steadily advanced through roles of increasing responsibility. Her experience rising through the organization provided valuable insight into the challenges of local government and the importance of collaboration to achieve results. Over the years, she has hired and promoted dozens of talented City staff and is especially proud of leading high-functioning teams with low turnover, as well as fostering the professional growth and success of her colleagues.
Throughout her tenure, Ranals championed the work of South San Francisco’s dedicated City teams and their many accomplishments. Under their leadership, the city has grown as a global hub for biotechnology, accelerated the construction of new housing, and maintained a high standard for public safety and emergency response. South San Francisco has continued to expand access to responsive, technology-driven police services, collaborative library and recreation programming, and reliable public works and infrastructure maintenance - the award-winning Water Quality Control Plant and strong internal operations reflect a commitment to service excellence. Central to these efforts has been a focus on sustainability and on creating a thriving environment for both residents and businesses.
Ranals played a key role in the planning, development, and improvement of many public buildings and spaces throughout the city. Her work helped bring to life the Municipal Services Building, Alice Peña Bulos Recreation Center and Preschool, Terrabay Gymnasium and Recreation Center, Roberta Teglia Senior Center, Community Learning Center, and after-school facilities on South San Francisco Unified School District campuses. At Orange Memorial Park, she supported projects including the picnic shelter, sculpture garden, Joseph Fernekes Recreation Center, new sports fields, and the award-winning water capture system. She was instrumental in securing funding and advancing the vision for the co-located Library | Parks and Recreation Center and the new Aquatics Center.
Her commitment to public spaces also extends to parks and open space. She contributed to the renovation of Sellick and Westborough Parks, the creation of Avalon and Alta Loma Parks, the expansion of Sign Hill’s open space, and improvements at Oyster Point, Civic Campus Park, and neighborhood playgrounds. She led successful grant efforts for projects like Centennial Way and continues to oversee the development of new amenities along the trail, a preschool in Westborough, and a new park on Linden Avenue.
Beyond infrastructure, Ranals has supported community through special events such as Day in the Park, the establishment of the City’s public art program, and advocacy for expanded childcare and senior services. She has built strong partnerships with outside agencies, the school district, and local organizations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she and a core team remained on-site at City Hall to ensure continuity of operations and support for both staff and the public. She also led the City's emergency coordination during major storms and flooding in 2022–2023. Her contributions have been recognized by the California Association of Parks and Recreation Commissioners and Board Members and the Institute for Local Government, which honored her as a Local Government Champion.
“Local government can best amplify and represent the voices of residents, and bring the political will and professional talent needed to address issues, improve lives, and build community,” shared Ranals. “I am deeply grateful for the leadership opportunities I have been given and am confident that South San Francisco will continue to flourish under the current City Council and next City Manager.”
As the Council and community expressed their appreciation, Mayor Eddie Flores summed it up best:
“Your career really spans more than four decades. You're exemplary in everything that you do—not only in what you lead, but in how you mentor,” said Mayor Eddie Flores. “Your legacy is strong and will remain strong. It takes grace, grit, and a deep love for South San Francisco, and that is unmatched.”
The City Council has engaged an executive search firm, Peckham and McKenney, to conduct a comprehensive recruitment for the next City Manager. The recruitment is open and will close on August 15, 2025. The announcement has been posted on the City’s website, LinkedIn, and various nationwide publications. The goal is for the City Council to make a final selection and offer to the selected candidate by mid-October, with a start date at the beginning of January 2026.