Aarón (Aaron) Zavala

Aarón (Aaron) Zavala, MPA, MUP, currently serves as the Senior Management Analyst in the Office of the City Manager for the City of Petaluma.

Prior to his current role, Aaron gained valuable government experience as a Graduate Intern for the County of Fresno, CA; Management Analyst in the Public Works Department for the City of Mesquite, Texas; Administrative Analyst in the Office of the City Manager for the City of San Bernardino, CA; and Senior Management Analyst in the Public Works & Utilities Department for the City of Petaluma. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Sonoma State University, a Master of Public Administration degree from California State University, Fresno, and an Executive Master of Urban Planning Degree from the University of Southern California’s Sol Price School of Public Policy. Aaron has also earned a Professional Certificate in Local Government Management from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and a Professional Certificate in Advanced Public Engagement from the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership at Pepperdine University.

Throughout his career, Aaron has been actively involved in various professional organizations, including ICMA, where he has served on the Advisory Board on Graduate Education and Sustainable Communities Advisory Committee. He is presently a Fellow for ICMA’s Leadership Institute on Race, Equity, and Inclusion. Aaron is also on the board of directors for the Municipal Management Association of Northern California (MMANC), acting as a co-lead chair for Region 2, the North Bay and North Coast. In addition, he is a current member of Los Cien and the Local Government Hispanic Network (LGHN).

A native of Sonoma County and a graduate of Cardinal Newman High School, Aaron cherishes time spent with his wife Christy, mijo Joaquín, and dogs Barney and Oscar. Committed to public service and making the City of Petaluma a community of choice, Aaron enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, traveling, and cheering on local sports teams.