After more than two decades as one of the most visible communicators for the City of Santa Maria, Public Information Manager Mark van de Kamp is preparing to hang up his credentials.

“Working for the city for the past two decades plus has been about the best thing that ever happened to me after meeting my wife,” said van de Kamp, whose last day is Dec. 26.

Van de Kamp joined the City of Santa Maria in March 2004 as its first management analyst in the city manager’s office, after a 17-year career in newspapers.

“I wanted to work for the City of Santa Maria because it gave me an opportunity to continue in my passion for communications, as well as help make things happen,” said van de Kamp.

Over the years, his position evolved into overseeing nearly all citywide communications, serving as

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