Politics & Government

Larkspur Lures New Finance Director from Rohnert Park

Santa Rosa resident Cathy Orme joins Dan Schwarz, who was the interim City Manager in Rohnert Park, at Larkspur City Hall.





Three years after then-interim Rohnert Park City Manager Dan Schwarz headed south to run Larkspur City Hall, Rohnert Park Finance Director Cathy Orme is joining him.

Orme, who became Rohnert Park’s interim finance director in October 2011 and spent nearly six years there, replaces Amy Koenig, who is set to retire next month. In submitting his 2013-2014 proposed budget to the City Council earlier year – the nearly $24 million budget was approved in June – Schwarz lauded her ability to "keep the ship afloat and on a positive course" over the past decade.

“She’s been a great employee – it’s a great opportunity for her to go to Larkspur and work with Dan,” said Assistant City Manager Darrin Jenkins. “He recruited her.”

Orme’s last day in Rohnert Park is Sept. 20. She starts in Larkspur 10 days later. 

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Orme, who was born in Fremont and has lived most of her life in Northern California, lives in Santa Rosa with her husband “and a horse and a cat,” though she is considering a move down to Marin. She began her career in the finance department in the city of Healdsburg.

During Orme’s tenure in Rohnert Park’s finance department, the city cut its deficit of about $6 million in the 2010-2011 fiscal year to about $1.4 million in 2013-2014.

Find out what's happening in Larkspur-Corte Maderawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Schwarz left for Larkspur in May 2010 after four years in Rohnert Park as assistant city manager. He had been promoted to interim city manager in October 2008 when City Manager Steve Donley left for active duty with the U.S. Coast Guard.


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