Stockton Human Resources Director Rosemary Rivas is leaving after five years with the city to become Elk Grove’s next human resources director, officials announced Wednesday.
Rivas’ last day with Stockton will be May 29, according to a city news release. Deputy Human Resources Director Alecia Figueroa will lead the department in an acting capacity while Stockton conducts a recruitment for a permanent human resources director.
Rivas joined Stockton five years ago as deputy director of human resources and was later promoted to director, according to the city. Elk Grove announced May 18 that Rivas had been hired as its new human resources director after a national recruitment process. Her first day in Elk Grove is June 1.
Elk Grove officials said Rivas brings more than 15 years of public-sector experience, including her work in Stockton and prior human resources and administrative roles with Hayward Unified School District. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a human resources management certificate from the University of Phoenix.
Her departure comes after a high-profile stretch for Stockton’s Human Resources Department. Rivas has appeared before city officials several times over the past year as Stockton dealt with payroll system problems, leadership turnover and scrutiny over city contracts.
In April 2025, Rivas told the Stockton City Council that problems tied to the city’s payroll system had led to more than 5,000 retroactive payments to underpaid employees and more than $100,000 in late fees to the California Public Employees’ Retirement System. “As problems did arise, they weren’t fixed,” Rivas told the council at the time.
“They just put a Band-Aid on it.”
Two months later, Rivas and then-Deputy Director Maya Reft presented an overhaul plan for the payroll system to the council’s Audit Committee, saying the number of CalPERS-related errors had declined since payroll functions moved to the Human Resources Department.
Rivas was also questioned this year about her role in a $100,000 investigations contract involving Stockton’s finances. Stocktonia previously reported that Rivas served as a deputy city manager under former interim City Manager Steve Colangelo and helped create the contract, which became the subject of Audit Committee scrutiny after officials said it should have gone to the City Council for approval.
City Manager Johnny Ford called Rivas’ departure “a real loss for Stockton” in the city’s announcement.
“She cared deeply about our employees and showed up every day ready to do the work,” Ford said. “I want to congratulate her on this next opportunity with the city of Elk Grove. They are getting someone special.”
Mayor Christina Fugazi also praised Rivas’ service.
“Rosemary has served the people of Stockton with dedication and heart, and our employees have been better for it,” Fugazi said. “She has been a steady professional and a genuine colleague, and we are sad to see her go.”
Elk Grove City Manager Jason Behrmann also praised Rivas in the Stockton’s announcement.
“Rosemary has built a reputation as a collaborative and innovative leader who values strong relationships, employee engagement, and high-performing teams,” Behrmann said in Elk Grove’s announcement.