ANTIOCH — The city of Antioch announced a series of personnel changes, including new hirings and transitions, that officials said are aimed at strengthening city staff and services to residents.
Among the notable changes, Recreation Department Director Brad Helfenberger will temporarily fill the assistant city manager position left vacant by Kwame Reed, who resigned. According to the city, a competitive internal hiring process is currently underway to permanently fill the position.
Reed was named assistant city manager in January. He had previously served as Antioch’s economic development director and was appointed as acting assistant city manager in 2023 following the departure of Forrest Ebbs.
City officials said Helfenberger will focus on supporting citywide initiatives that promote economic development, public safety, and efficient municipal services.
“His leadership will be key in ensuring that Antioch continues to provide high-quality services to its residents while addressing the city’s evolving needs,” the city said in a press release Tuesday.
Helfenberger took over as Antioch’s Recreation Department director in February 2021. According to the city, he has more than 25 years of experience in municipal government and has worked with Emeryville, the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, and Milpitas.
Helfenberger’s Recreation Department role will be filled by Recreation Services Manager Shahad Wright. A Bay Area native, Wright was hired as a supervisor in 2022 and promoted to manager in 2023.
Antioch also announced that Jaden Baird will serve as the city’s new public information officer, overseeing communications and public engagement efforts.
Baird previously was the executive director of Communications and Community Engagement at Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District. According to the city, Baird’s expertise in social media strategy, multimedia storytelling, and press relations will play an important role in “enhancing Antioch’s public outreach efforts.”
“His vision for the city of Antioch’s communications strategy is one of transparency, innovation, and inclusivity, ensuring that every resident stays informed and connected to city government,” the city stated.
The city also appointed David Storer as interim director for Community and Economic Development. Storer has more than 30 years of experience in city planning, land use policy, and public administration, the city said. He has worked as a planning director for cities in Sonoma and Folsom and was the assistant city manager for Elk Grove. Storer holds a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Brigham Young University.
“His deep understanding of community development and public sector operations will be instrumental in advancing the city’s vision for sustainable growth and quality of life,” the city said.
Scott Buenting, the city’s acting Public Works director and city engineer, was officially appointed to a permanent role following what the city called a rigorous competitive process.
Buenting, an Antioch native, has worked for the city for nearly 25 years, the city said. He was hired as an assistant engineer in 2000 and later promoted to associate civil engineer.
In 2017, Buenting was promoted to project manager before he was named acting Public Works director and city engineer in 2022, the city said. Buenting has focused on protecting the city’s pre-1914 water rights and water and wastewater rates and supervised the construction of the $100 million brackish water desalination project.
“(Buenting) plans to continue developing and administering Public Works and capital improvement budgets and overseeing the Public Works operations of the city he grew up in and cares for deeply,” said the city.
The city has also engaged Bob Hall & Associates to assist in filling three key director positions that remain open. The positions include community development director, economic development director, and assistant city engineer.
“The city appreciates the continued dedication of our staff and leadership team as we work to enhance services and opportunities for our community,” the city said.