City of Mountain View Announces Appointment
of New Community Development Director
Christian Murdock
Experienced planning professional and decorated military veteran to lead City’s development and planning efforts
Mountain View, Calif. — On Tuesday, May 21, City Manager Kimbra McCarthy announced the appointment of Christian Murdock as the City of Mountain View’s new Community Development Director. Murdock brings over 17 years of land use and planning experience from jurisdictions of varying sizes, most recently as the City of Pacifica’s Director of Planning. He also served 14 years in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Murdock officially joins the City on Monday, June 17.
“I am thrilled to welcome Christian to Mountain View. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the role and has led numerous complex, long-range planning projects that involved extensive community engagement,” said McCarthy. “Christian’s expansive background, ranging from leading a comprehensive General Plan update to assisting small businesses, gives him the breadth of experience needed to help build the Mountain View of Tomorrow. Christian is known for being a creative problem solver and excellent communicator, dedicated to continuous improvement efforts. With his collaborative and team-oriented focus, Christian is ready to put his strategic mindset to work in one of the most active development project pipelines in the Bay Area.”
As the Community Development Director, Murdock will oversee the department’s three divisions, Planning, Building and Economic Vitality, which is supported by approximately 50 full-time employees. He will lead a number of significant department projects that are currently underway, which vary from the recently adopted Economic Vitality Strategy to support small businesses to implementing programs and initiatives contained in the City’s certified 2023-2031 Housing Element.
"I'm honored by the opportunity to become Mountain View's next Community Development Director,” said Murdock. “The City has many ambitious priorities to advance in the coming years and I am excited to lead efforts that will help strengthen the community. I look forward to working with the City Council, Environmental Planning Commission, City Manager McCarthy, Community Development team and Mountain View community to create a vibrant and sustainable urban environment for our residents, businesses and visitors.”
For the last nine years, Murdock has worked for the City of Pacifica, having been promoted to positions with increasing responsibilities from an Assistant Planner, Associate Planner, Senior Planner, Deputy Director of Planning to the Director of Planning, a role he has held since March 2022. He has also served other communities including the City and County of San Francisco (2012-2014) and City of Mission Viejo (2006-2012). In addition, Murdock was awarded a Bronze Star medal while serving in the United States Marine Corps Reserve as a gunnery sergeant. Murdock has a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado, Denver and a bachelor’s degree with high honors in Urban & Regional Planning from Michigan State University. He is a certified planner through the American Planning Association’s American Institute of Certified Planners.
The position became available when CDD Director Aarti Shrivastava retired in February 2024. Murdock’s annual starting salary is $283,000.
Photo of Christian Murdock.
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