Santa Maria has hired a finance director, the third department leader vacancy filled in recent months by the new city manager.

Rebecca Campbell will begin in the job May 5, City Manager David Rowlands announced Wednesday. 

Since arriving in late 2024, Rowlands has filled vacancies for three directors, or department heads — Community Development, Police and now Finance. 

Campbell most recently served as a consultant for San Benito County. Before that she served San Luis Obispo County as the assistant county administrative officer since June 2021. 

From 2017 to 2021, Campbell served Kings County as their chief administrative officer, managing a $445 million budget. She had worked for the agency since 2005.  

Campbell served 10 years in the U.S. Navy as an electronics technician, was named Navy Sailor of the Year in 2001, and received multiple medals for her outstanding service. She has a master’s degree in business administration.

Campbell has belonged to various professional organizations, including secretary/treasurer of the Statewide California Association of County Executives Organization and operations board member for Central Coast Community Energy.

“I am honored to join the City of Santa Maria, and I’m excited to work collaboratively with this team to create a stronger and successful financial future for Santa Maria,” Campbell said in a statement.

With a staff of 32, the Finance Department manages the city’s revenues, expenditures, investments, purchasing, accounting, budgeting – including preparation of the $291 million budget, payroll, utility billing, grants, and more.

Rowlands, the Santa Maria city manager who started the job in November, also hired Chenin Dow as community development director to replace Chuen Wu who ascended to assistant city manager. 

On Monday, the city announced the hiring of Christopher Williams, former Oxnard Police Department assistant chief, as Santa Maria’s new police chief.