Michael Frank

Michael Frank is a veteran public sector executive and consultant with over 30 years of experience in city management, fiscal sustainability, and organizational leadership. As a Consultant with MRG, Michael brings a pragmatic and collaborative approach to helping local governments solve complex problems, lead high-level initiatives, and turn strategic goals into operational reality.

Michael served as City Manager for the City of Novato, where he led the development of a comprehensive Fiscal and Organizational Sustainability Plan that resulted in fully funded infrastructure for the first time in the city’s history and earned widespread community support through innovative outreach and engagement. In addition, he completed major infrastructure, open space, and economic development projects. Under his leadership, resident satisfaction with city services nearly doubled.

His career includes leadership roles such as Assistant City Manager / Administrative Services Director / CFO for the City of Santa Rosa, and leadership positions in the cities of San Francisco, Fremont, Palo Alto, and Hayward. Michael is known for stepping into interim and transitional roles with speed and effectiveness — quickly assessing organizational dynamics, identifying key priorities, and moving initiatives forward. He excels at leading cross-functional teams, managing stakeholder interests, and turning consulting recommendations into actionable outcomes.

Michael works with departments to solve core operational issues, lead strategic planning processes, and ensure that fiscal and policy initiatives are implemented and sustained over time. His work as Executive Officer for the Marin General Services Authority and as a financial and organizational consultant has further demonstrated his capacity to manage regional partnerships, high-impact projects, and governance improvement efforts.

He holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management, was a Credentialed City Manager through ICMA, and a Coro Public Affairs Fellow.