October 12, 2023 – The City of Petaluma is pleased to announce the hiring of Jessie Gooch as its next Finance Director; a key department head role as the leader of City finance / accounting functions and the chief steward of the City’s $337 million budget ($72 million General Fund). Jessie will start her new role with the City on October 30, 2023, at a salary of $196,00
A Sonoma County native, Jessie brings 17 years of government finance experience to Petaluma. She presently serves as the Budget Officer for the City of Napa, CA, a position she has held for the past seven years, where she managed all operating and capital budgets, financial forecasting, fiscal policy development, citywide fee schedules, and cost allocation plans. Over the past several years, Jessie has also served as a key member of the team responsible for Napa’s implementation of new financial software systems. According to Jessie, her goal is to always strive for better methods to present complex financial information in simple-to-understand ways and enjoys helping her fellow team members better utilize data to inform decision-making.
Prior to her work for the City of Napa, Jessie spent ten years in progressively responsible accounting positions for departments of the State of Colorado government. She received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Santa Clara University.
“I am excited to welcome Jessie to the Petaluma team as our next Finance Director,” said City Manager Peggy Flynn. “Her collaborative and transparent leadership traits, approachable communication style, and strong financial acumen are a great match for Petaluma’s values. Her emphasis on continuous improvement and commitment to fostering a positive learning environment will help our Finance Department continue the excellent, award-winning work they do every day,”
Jessie added: “I am thrilled and humbled to be able to serve the City of Petaluma in the role of Finance Director. I look forward to working with the Finance team, the executive team, and the Petaluma community to ensure the City’s budget is responsive to community priorities and continues the important investments made possible by Measure U. This is an exciting time for Petaluma on many fronts, and ensuring ongoing fiscal sustainability will be a top priority for me in this new role.”
Jessie resides in Sonoma with her two kids and enjoys going to concerts, reading, and baking with her children in her spare time.
The City would also like to acknowledge and appreciate our current Finance Director and Deputy City Manager, Corey Garberolio, who has been serving in this role since 2018, with the City for 15 years in total, and who has assisted the City through navigating some very challenging financial times. This includes forecasting and addressing the long-term deficit that plagued the City for more than a decade, planning for the financial impacts resulting from the Covid pandemic and participating in the successful passage of Measure U. While Corey has made the decision to step down in her current role to spend more time with her family, she will continue to serve the City, the community and the Finance Department in her new role as Assistant Finance Director.