Veteran planning and development leader with 25 years of experience joins Cathedral City to advance housing, economic development and the revitalization of commercial corridors
The City of Cathedral City is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Muenzer as its new Director of Community & Economic Development. Muenzer brings 25 years of experience as a department head and development director serving a diverse group of cities across the United States, and will lead the City’s Community & Economic Development Department, overseeing planning, building and safety, code compliance, and economic development.
Throughout his career, Muenzer has served communities of all sizes and complexities, holding the following leadership roles:
- Community Development Director — City of Countryside (IL)
- Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals Manager — City of Chicago
- Director of Community Development — City of Evanston (IL)
- Community Development Director — City of Menlo Park
- Community Development and Transportation Director — City of Redwood City
- Planning and Development Director / Interim Housing and Human Services Director — City of Culver City
Muenzer’s professional work has focused on the creation of housing — specifically affordable housing — and the redevelopment of commercial corridors into vibrant mixed-use areas.
He has led cross-divisional and multi-department city teams on several transformational community plans, including the Menlo Park El Camino Real and Downtown Specific Plan, the Redwood City Downtown Specific Plan, the Culver City 2045 General Plan and Zoning Code, and the Culver City Hayden Tract and Fox Hills Specific Plans. His department’s planning work in Culver City helped produce one of the highest housing production rates in Los Angeles County and earned numerous regional, state and national planning awards.
He has also worked on a number of high-profile development projects and has served as the lead city negotiator with entities including Northwestern University, Meta/Facebook, Stanford University, Sony Studios, Amazon Studios and Apple Inc. While with the City of Evanston, Muenzer served as the community’s first LGBTQ Liaison, an effort that helped the city achieve its first perfect score on the Municipal Equality Index.
Muenzer holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Gannon University (PA) and a Master of Community Planning from the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning at the University of Cincinnati.
Muenzer steps into the role previously held by Andrew Firestine, who was sworn in as Cathedral City’s City Manager in February 2026. The City also thanks Sandra Molina, who served as Interim Director of Community & Economic Development during the transition and wishes her well in her retirement.
“Mark brings exactly the kind of experience and vision Cathedral City needs at this pivotal moment,” said City Manager Andrew Firestine. “Our community has real momentum right now — in housing, in economic development, and in the revitalization of our commercial corridors — and Mark’s proven record positions us to build on it. He’ll be a tremendous partner to our residents, stakeholders and business community.”
“I’m thrilled to join Cathedral City at such an exciting moment in its transformation,” said Muenzer. “This is a welcoming, diverse and forward-looking community, and I’m eager to work alongside city leadership, staff, residents and the business community to build on that momentum.”
Muenzer, his partner Jason — along with their two dogs and a cat — are looking forward to relocating to the Coachella Valley and being part of the continued transformation of the City of Cathedral City.
About Cathedral City
Cathedral City is the second-largest city in the Coachella Valley, serving more than 52,000 residents. With a thriving downtown arts and entertainment district, diverse and inclusive community, and year-round events, Cathedral City is one of the region’s fastest-growing communities. The City continues to invest in housing, economic development, public safety and quality-of-life improvements. For more information, please visit cathedralcity.gov for city services and meeting agendas or discovercathedralcity.com for news, events, and attractions.
