The City Manager is one of four positions appointed by the City Council. The City Manager and Assistant City Manager are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the city and for carrying out the policies adopted by the City Council.
Acting City Manager
John Pombier
John Pombier was named Acting City Manager in July 2025 Pombier retired from the City of Mesa in 2022 after 19 years of service, including 11 years as an assistant city manager and eight years as city prosecutor. Prior to that, he spent two years as Deputy General Counsel at the Arizona Governor’s Office, one year as the Director of the Governor’s Division for Prevention of Family Violence and six years with the City of Phoenix Prosecutor’s Office, including five years as lead attorney for the Domestic Violence Unit.
Pombier graduated from Arizona State University’s School of Law and was admitted to the State Bar of Arizona in 1994. He previously earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan.
Assistant City Manager
Tadd Wille
Tadd Wille became Assistant City Manager in February 2022 to assist the City Manager with day-to-day operations of the City. He previously was Deputy City Manager for the City of Tacoma, Washington, responsible for an array of city departments that provided services to that community’s residents and businesses. In prior positions, he was Tacoma’s budget director, helping to manage their budget development process and long-range financial planning and was the assistant budget director and grants administrator for the City of San Antonio, Texas.
Wille is a graduate of Brigham Young University with a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in history.
Dawn Lang was named Deputy City Manager – Chief Financial Officer in August 2021 to oversee the City’s financial functions, information technology, facilities, and fleet services. Lang has served as the City of Chandler’s Management Services Director since January 2012 and continues to oversee the budget, accounting, payroll, purchasing, central supply, utility billing services, as well as tax and licensing, and environmental management compliance. Prior to joining the City of Chandler, she worked at the City of Dubuque, Iowa, as their budget director and assistant finance director.
Lang is a licensed certified public accountant and graduated from Montana State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a major in accounting. She has been an active member of the Kiwanis Club since 2011, including service as a past president in Chandler and past lieutenant governor of its southwest district.
Ryan Peters was named Deputy City Manager in August 2025 to assist the City Manager in the day-do-day operations of the city. He previously served as the city’s Strategic Initiatives Director. In that role, he helped secure grants and federal and regional funding for roadway projects, transit services and water infrastructure. He also negotiated agreements to strengthen city infrastructure and connectivity.
Before joining Chandler in 2016, Peters worked for more than 10 years in legislative affairs and intergovernmental programs at the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, City of Glendale, Arizona State House of Representatives and Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He is a graduate of Arizona State University with a master’s degree in public administration and bachelor’s degrees in political science and psychology. He also served in the United State Marine Corps, achieving the rank of Sergeant.
Leah Powell was named Deputy City Manager in August 2025 to assist the City Manager in the day-do-day operations of the city. She previously served as the city’s Neighborhood Resources Director, overseeing code enforcement, neighborhood preservation and engagement programs and community development programs. She also managed the Chandler Public Housing Authority and redevelopment of public housing sites through public-private partnerships. She has worked for the City of Chandler since 1996.
Powell previously worked 11 years for the City of Albuquerque, New Mexico, coordinating the Keep Albuquerque Beautiful program and youth recreational programs. She is a graduate of the University of New Mexico with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and graduate studies in elementary education.
Divisions of the City Manager's Office
