-December 12,2023-
Last week Porterville City Manager John Lollis announced he would be leaving the City of Porterville after 15 years at the helm. Lollis will become the new Visalia Assistant City Manager once he starts work after the first of the year.
Lollis will replace Nick Mascia in the position who was recently hired by the City of Fresno to be the new Assistant City Manager there. Mascia had been in the same position from October 2021 to December 2023 and had been with the City of Visalia for more than a decade as Community Development Developer and Director of Public Works.
Lollis made his dramatic announcement at the most recent Porterville City Council meeting generating both shock and praise for the veteran administrator.
According to the Porterville Recorder, Mayor Martha A. Flores said Lolli’s had guided the city through multiple challenges including Covid 19 and the massive flood earlier this year.
“Flores described Lollis’ tenure as city manager as “beyond exemplary.” The council members also continued to refer to Lollis as a mentor.”
Lollis is ”a great catch” for the city, says Visalia Council member Steve Nelsen. Nelsen expects Lollis will start work the second week in January but council has not decided on projects he might tackle.”He is very familiar with transit,” noting “the guy has strengths in lots of areas.”
The Porterville paper speculated he might dive right into the ongoing pro-baseball negotiations currently tied up in legal action between the team ownership and the city. Lollis also has experience in economic development as well.