Cavazos named Phoenix’s new city manager

David Cavazos was named Oct. 26 as Phoenix’s new city manager and will start the job on Nov. 6.

The 49-year-old Cavazos was one of four finalists for the position and had been a deputy city manager.

He will replace Frank Fairbanks, who is retiring Nov. 5 at age 63 after a 37-year career including 19 as city manager.

Cavazos joined the city in 1987 as a management intern and was economic-development manager from 1991-97.

He served as deputy director of the Aviation Department from 1998-2000, the assistant aviation director from 2001-03 and acting aviation director from 2004-05.

As a deputy city manager, Cavazos oversaw the Development Services, Information Technology, Planning and Water Services departments; ASU Downtown; water strategy; and Westside Revitalization.

The other finalists were Phoenix deputy city managers David Krietor, Rick Naimark and Ed Zuercher.