Two Gilbert City Leaders Resign Amid Staff Transition
The departures of key administrative staff may shift procurement and budgeting timelines for local businesses.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in People
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Gilbert Budget Director Kelly Pfost and Assistant Town Manager Dawn Prince resigned from their administrative roles. These departures follow a series of leadership exits from the town staff that began earlier this year.
Why it matters
Frequent turnover in executive city roles can shift the continuity of town policy and municipal procurement projects. Operators should track these personnel changes to identify potential delays in pending administrative decisions or budgeting cycles.
Two town staff leaders resigned in October 2026, marking the latest departures in an ongoing leadership transition that started with the exit of Town Manager Patrick Banger in January 2026.
The players
Kelly Pfost
The former Gilbert Budget Director responsible for managing municipal financial allocations.
Dawn Prince
The former Assistant Town Manager who supported executive operations for the city.
Patrick Banger
The former Town Manager whose resignation marked the start of the current leadership transition period.
Leah Rhineheimer
An Assistant Town Manager who is currently a finalist for the Pima County administrator role.
The details
The departures of the budget director and assistant town manager follow the earlier exit of the town manager and three other municipal roles. These shifts effectively reset key administrative oversight positions within Gilbert's city operations. Assistant Town Manager Leah Rhineheimer remains in a separate transition process, as she is currently a finalist for the Pima County administrator position.
Timeline
January 2026: Patrick Banger resigned as Town Manager.
October 2026: Kelly Pfost and Dawn Prince resigned from their respective roles.
Market Landscape
The resignation of multiple high-level staff aligns with the pattern established by the 2026 transition of Gilbert's town management. These departures indicate a broad shift in administrative leadership that may alter the town's policy direction.
Operators in Gilbert should prepare for potential slowdowns in permit processing or budget approvals while the town fills these executive vacancies. Check the town agenda for updates on interim appointments to identify who currently holds authority over active procurement projects.
The takeaway
Persistent turnover in executive municipal roles requires operators to stay closer to departmental agendas than in periods of stable leadership. Monitor official town council meeting minutes and staffing announcements to track the confirmation of permanent replacements.
Further reading
For more on shifts in local municipal leadership, see Gilbert People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Your Valley.
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