Former interim director will return to the position; posting for new assistant city manager will occur soon

By Allen D. Payton

After just shy of six months on the job, the City of Antioch Community and Economic Development Director Zach Seal is longer in the position as of Tuesday, March 3, 2026. As previously reported, he started on Oct. 6, 2025.

When informed of Seal’s possible departure, City Manager Bessie Scott was asked, Tuesday afternoon, if Seal had been terminated and for any details. She did not respond. City PIO, Jaden Baird was asked about the matter, but he was not aware of it and said he would contact Scott.

Then thanks to a resident who shared a copy of it with the Herald at 7:59 PM and chose to remain anonymous, it was revealed that Scott sent the following email entitled, “Staffing Update: Community and Economic Development Department” to “All City Employees” at 5:55 PM:

Hello Team Antioch,

I want to share an important staffing update. As of today, Zach Seal, our Community and Economic Development Director, is no longer with the City. We thank him for his service during the time that he was here and wish him well in his future endeavors.

While leadership transitions are never easy, our focus remains on maintaining continuity in the important work of supporting Antioch’s economic growth and business community. In the meantime, we will be continuing with the ongoing economic development activities that are currently underway while we begin a formal recruitment process for a new Community and Economic Development Director. David Storer will be the Interim Community and Economic Development Director for the time being. 

Economic development remains a top priority for the City. We will continue advancing efforts to attract investment, support local businesses, and position Antioch for long-term economic vitality.

I appreciate the professionalism and dedication our staff brings to this work every day. As we move through this transition, I will keep you informed of next steps in the recruitment process.

Thank you for your continued commitment to serving our community. ~Bessie

Bessie Marie Scott, EMPA, CIG

City Manager

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However, no announcement was provided to the local media to inform the public.

The following questions were then sent to both Scott and Baird:

“Was he terminated or did he voluntarily resign?

Why after just six months on the job?

Did he not meet expectations?

Was he supposed to accomplish something that he didn’t?

What did he actually accomplish during his brief tenure?”

They were also asked for anything else they could share.

City Limited in What Can be Shared About Personnel Matters

UPDATE 1: In response, Baird wrote, “The City can confirm that Zach Seal is no longer employed with the City of Antioch. As the City Manager shared with staff earlier this evening, we thank him for his service during the time he was here and wish him well in his future endeavors.

“Due to the confidential nature of personnel matters, the City is not able to comment on the circumstances surrounding an employee’s separation, including whether it was a resignation or termination, performance-related matters, or internal discussions.

“Economic development work will continue uninterrupted. David Storer will serve as Interim Community and Economic Development Director while the City begins a formal recruitment process for the position.

“This reflects the information the City is able to provide at this time. Thank you for your understanding.”

Baird and Scott were pressed further and asked, “If he was terminated, did he have a severance clause in his employment agreement, was that triggered and how much is that costing the City?”

New City Attorney Lori Asuncion started on Monday. Asked last week if she had considered, lately hiring an assistant city manager, Scott responded, “Yes! Posting coming out soon.”

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

the attachments to this post:

Comty & Econ Dir gone email 03-03-26

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026 at 10:22 pm and is filed under Government, News, People. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.