Kurt Wilson

Kurt Wilson is former executive director of the Western Riverside Council of Governments and general manager of the Riverside County Habitat Conservation Agency. He has over three decades of experience leading west coast government agencies and is a past president of both the City Managers Department of the League of California Cities and the California chapter of the International City and County Management Association. He is best known for his instrumental role as city manager in Stockton, managing what was the largest municipal bankruptcy in American history through a successful conclusion that included the ranking of second-most fiscally healthy large city in America. He has held a number of senior municipal positions as well as state and federal service, including gubernatorial appointments from former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and an appointment as founding member of the federal Department of Homeland Security. His advocacy for abused and neglected children spans service as a court-appointed special advocate and roles as a school principal and co-founder of a Boys and Girls Club and Police Activities League. He is an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University and deputy sheriff-reserve for the Yolo County Sheriff. He currently serves as a board member for the California Reserve Police Officer Association and a member of PPIC’s Statewide Leadership Council. He also serves on advisory panels for Stanford University and Pepperdine University’s Davenport Institute. He holds a doctorate of law and policy from Northeastern University.