Hesperia Assistant City Manager Rachel Molina to serve as city manager

Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
Updated ·2 min read

Assistant City Manager Rachel Molina is getting a promotion, stepping into the Hesperia's top leader role next week.

A long-time Hesperia resident with more than 16 years with the city, Molina was offered the job following City Manager Nils Bentsen's retirement announcement.

"The opportunity to be Hesperia's City Manager is an honor and I appreciate the support of our city council to serve in this new capacity," said Molina in a written statement following the unanimous vote. "Over the past 16 years, I have worked alongside an incredible team of dedicated public servants to provide exceptional services and programs to our residents and other community stakeholders.”

Molina added that she looks forward to continuing important city initiatives that improve the quality of life as Hesperia grows.

City of Hesperia officials announced that Assistant City Manager Rachel Molina will step into the role of city manager on Monday, June 19.
City of Hesperia officials announced that Assistant City Manager Rachel Molina will step into the role of city manager on Monday, June 19.

'Proven leader'

"We are very pleased to make this appointment from within our existing city leadership team that will allow for as seamless a transition as possible for the organization and the community," Mayor Brigit Bennington stated in a written statement.

Molina has served the community exceptionally for many years and is a proven leader in city government and... "For these reasons, she is well-positioned to lead our city into the future," Bennington added.

Beginning Monday, June 19, Molina will enter her new position, having managed several aspects of municipal administration, city officials said.

Molina was first employed by the city in 2007 as a senior office assistant in the city manager’s office.

Since then, Molina has served a public information officer, deputy city manager and assistant city manager.

Throughout her tenure, Molina has led the city's community outreach and communication efforts, and analyzed complex policies and programs, city officials said.

She has also presented recommendations to the city council on various issues, including emergency management, legislative priorities and capital improvement projects.

Molina earned her bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Chapman University and her master’s degree in public administration from California Baptist University.

Nils Bentsen

Molina will succeed Bentsen, who replaced City Manager Mike Podegracz in 2016 after he worked for the city for a decade.

Before his city manager role, Bentsen worked for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department for 27 years and retired as a captain.

Bentsen moved to Hesperia with his parents in 1975 and served in the U.S. Navy for five years. He is a graduate of both Hesperia Christian High School and Victor Valley Community College, city officials said.

Bentsen and his wife, Paulette, have been married for nearly 40 years and are the parents of four children.Bentsen's last day with the city is Sunday, June 18.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Hesperia Assistant City Manager Rachel Molina to serve as city manager