Economic Development Director Departs Cat City

Stone James, Economic Development Director in Cathedral City, Leaves for New Opportunity

CATHEDRAL CITY — Stone James, 49, who was named Economic Development Director in 2017, is leaving to become the city manager in Twentynine Palms. He begins duties there on April 29.

Leaving Cathedral City is “bittersweet,” James told Uken Report. His work in the Valley’s second largest city has been “the most meaningful work I’ve ever done. I’ve been deeply committed to Cathedral City.”

He has demonstrated that in myriad ways. Most recently helping secure two vans — on his own time —for the Cathedral City Senior Center.

James was at the forefront of the fight to keep Roadrunner Motors in Cathedral City after a new College president/superintendent (Dr. Martha Garcia) and a split Board of Trustees, announced that it was abandoning the Cathedral City location after purchasing the land and spending taxpayer money on architectural plans. Cathedral City eventually won.

The location is within the largest concentration of automobile dealerships, repair shops, parts stores, body shops, and car rental agencies in the Coachella Valley. COD will help provide the training and skills needed for community members to access well-paying local jobs. This location is ideal as it is located along Highway 111 providing easy access to public transportation for COD students to get to and from classes for free, James said.

James said it is an “amazing honor and privilege” to be selected City Manager, a position he said will “challenge him and make him grow” as an individual.

“We appreciate Stone’s contributions to the City of Cathedral City in his role as Economic Development Director,” said City Manager Charlie McClendon. “I wish him success in this new opportunity and look forward to continuing to build on our city’s economic momentum.”

Twentynine Palms. is the gateway to Joshua Tree National Park and is home to artists, retirees and active-duty Marines. It is also home to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, the world’s largest Marine Corps training base.