January 31, 2008

San Jose hires Sharon Erickson as city auditor

The city of San Jose announced on Tuesday that the City Council selected Sharon Winslow Erickson as the new city auditor. The announcement was made at a City Hall press conference shortly before the afternoon city council meeting.

Erickson replaces Gerald Silva, who was fired last August after 22 years with the city. She begins her new job on March 10.

“Sharon Winslow Erickson brings a wealth of experience and a solid track record of integrity and fiscal responsibility that will serve the city of San Jose well in her new role as city auditor,” Mayor Chuck Reed said during the news conference.

The new auditor, who has spent the past six-and-a-half years as city auditor for Palo Alto, was an auditor for San Jose for the 12 years, the last four as a supervising auditor, prior to moving to Palo Alto. A graduate of Stanford University, she is certified as an internal auditor and a government financial manager.

Erickson was named the “most trusted person in City Hall” in a July 2004 issue of the Palo Alto Weekly.

“I look forward to applying my skills and experience again in San Jose,” Erickson said. “I am committed to honest, efficient, effective, and fully accountable city government and am eager to work with the City Council and staff in the auditor’s office to serve the people of San Jose.”

The San Jose city auditor is appointed by the City Council. Erickson’s job is to provide independent oversight to monitor operating and capital budgets, use of tax dollars and city and Redevelopment Agency activities and programs. The findings and recommendations developed through the audit process help save tax dollars, increase revenues and improve management of city and Redevelopment Agency programs.

Silva was fired following allegations of inappropriate behavior and retaliation made by some members of the audit office staff. A sexual harassment suit brought by Jennifer Callaway, one of eight senior program performance auditors, against Deputy Auditor David Moreno and the city, claimed the office atmosphere was sexually hostile. The suit reportedly was settled out of court. Neither Callaway nor Moreno are currently listed on the audit office directory. Although Silva’s name was mentioned in the lawsuit, he was not a party of the suit.

Erickson was born and raised in Palo Alto and still lives in the home in which she grew up with her husband Leif Erickson. The couple has two grown sons.