John Gurney named to head Sonoma Community Center

John Gurney, who served as Sonoma’s last chief of police from 1993 to 2005, has been named executive director of the Sonoma Community Center.

Annie Bauer, board president of the SCC, made the announcement on Wednesday. Gurney replaces John Tamiazzo, who stepped down at the end of March. Bauer has been serving as interim executive director, and will continue to do so until Gurney takes over July 10.

“We are thrilled to have John heading this organization,” said Bauer. “His roots and leadership in our community go way, way back and he is a pivotal participant in more organizations, projects and community-building activities than you can count.”

Gurney and wife Phyllis moved to Sonoma in 1993, leaving his 17-year tenure with the Pacifica police to begin a 12-year term as Sonoma’s chief of police. In 2005, the city began contracting police services through the county Sheriff’s Department.

Following the transition, Gurney moved into the private sector, spending two years at the Bank of America in San Francisco and the following 11 with Tesoro Petroleum. At Tesoro, he first built security operations for their retail operation – essentially gas stations and convenience stores – and now handles security for their Martinez refinery.

But he continued his involvement with the Sonoma community throughout, serving on the board of directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley, where he helped spearhead the campaign to build the Maxwell Farms Regional Park facility, which opened in 2000.

Gurney has also served on boards of Speedway Children’s Charities, La Luz, and the now-defunct Sonoma Skate Society, among others.

Said Gurney, “Ever since leaving the police department for private industry, I have thought how great it would be to be fully engaged in the community again,” said Gurney. “This opportunity to head the Community Center is perfect for me.

“Without a parks and recreation department in town,” Gurney added, “and with a community that loves working together on things that really matter, I know that the job will not only be a great deal of fun but also provide measurable value to the community.”

Email Christian at christian.kallen@sonomanews.com.