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Local tapped for economic development
Anthony Sims
Anthony Sims is the city's new Economic Development manager.

With strengthening the economy of Ceres one of its top priorities, the City Council is hoping that Anthony Sims will work wonders as he takes over the economic development manager role.

Sims replaced Steve Hallam as the city’s Economic Development Manager on Monday. Hallam, who has been the part-time manager since 2014 but now retiring, will be helping Sims in the transition and become familiar with the needs of Ceres businesses and what has been done to entice new jobs to Ceres.

“I’m still getting more familiar with the specific tasks at hand here in Ceres,” said Sims. “I should be up-to-date very soon.”

He most recently worked as the economic development manager at Opportunity Stanislaus, serving the entire county. Before that Sims worked in marketing and business development at Wealth Perpetual and T3 Direct Marketing LLC.

Part of Sim’s job will be assisting in business retention and expansion and helping with any obstacles companies big or small; are facing. 

Sims is a lifelong Ceres resident and a Ceres High School graduate. He coaches his son’s and daughter’s local basketball teams.

“What better than to work for an organization that brings back to my community,” he commented on his starting day. He said he is “excited to serve my community and grow its economy.”

Sims studied accounting and business administration at Modesto Junior College and went on to earn a B.S. in Business Administration at California State University, Stanislaus. 

The hiring of Sims is one of the vacancies that the council can scratch off its list. Recently the council hired a new city manager in Alex Terrazas to replace Tom Westbrook. Last summer the city hired Christopher Hoem as Community Development Director, a role that was filled by Westbrook. The city is also seeking to hire a new Public Works Director since the Dec. 31, 2021 retirement of Jeremy Damas.