Ridgefield Names Nicole Schneider Its Next Deputy City Manager

Out of more than 50 applicants, City Manager Steve Stuart picked a leader with fourteen years of city finance and HR experience and some Clark County roots. She starts November 16.

City Hall has a new number two. City Manager Steve Stuart has appointed Nicole Schneider as Ridgefield's next Deputy City Manager, wrapping up a recruitment process that drew more than 50 qualified applicants. Fifty-plus people wanted this job. That tells you something about where Ridgefield sits right now, and about how seriously the city took filling it.

Schneider starts Monday, November 16, which means by the time you're arguing about who brings the pie to Thanksgiving, she'll already be in the building.

Who she is

Schneider comes with a long run in local government leadership. She spent eight years as City Administrator and Chief Finance Officer for a city in South Dakota, plus six years as a Human Resources Director. So: someone who has run a city, balanced its books, and handled its people. That's the trifecta for this role.

She's also not starting from zero on the local map. Schneider previously served Southwest Washington through the Clark County Assessor's Office, so she already knows the region, and probably knows exactly how much your property value went up.

Stuart was clear about why she stood out from a deep field. He pointed to her strategic thinking, her collaborative and empowering leadership style, and her commitment to public service, along with her ability to work through complex problems and build strong working relationships.

What a Deputy City Manager actually does

Fair question, because the title doesn't tell you much. The Deputy City Manager runs the city's Administration Department and serves as the City Manager's primary support in keeping services running well for residents. Plenty of the stuff you actually interact with as a Ridgefielder runs through this office.

Event planning and community outreach both live here. In a town that shows up for every park opening, parade, and ribbon cutting, that is not a small portfolio.

In her words

Schneider said she's grateful for the opportunity and for the trust Stuart has placed in her, and that the welcome she's already gotten has her even more excited to get going. Her stated plan is to get to know the community and work alongside city staff and elected leaders on Ridgefield's priorities.

Translation for the rest of us: she's new, she's listening, and this is a town where you will absolutely run into city leadership at Lava Java. Say hi.

Quick questions

When does Nicole Schneider start?

Monday, November 16, 2026.

Who appointed her?

Ridgefield City Manager Steve Stuart, following a competitive recruitment process.

What departments does the Deputy City Manager oversee?

The Administration Department, which covers the City Clerk, records management, human resources and payroll, event planning, and community outreach and engagement.

Does she have local experience?

Yes. She previously worked in Southwest Washington with the Clark County Assessor's Office.