Richmond Rent Board names Fred Tran permanent executive director

The Richmond Rent Board on March 12 announced that it had unanimously appointed Fred Tran as the board’s permanent executive director following a closed-session vote, General Counsel Charles Shenuga reported to the board.

The appointment was disclosed after the board convened a brief open session for public comment and then adjourned into closed session under Government Code section 54957(b)(1) to consider a public employee appointment. "The board has unanimously voted to appoint Fred Tran as the permanent executive director," Shenuga told the board when open session resumed.

The action follows weeks in which staff handled several high-profile tenant complaints, including habitability and utility billing disputes at Monterey Pines. Fred Tran, who had been serving as interim executive director, delivered the staff presentation on Regulation 204 later in the meeting and stayed for public discussion.

Residents and tenant advocates who spoke during public comment praised staff work during the leadership transition and asked the board for swift action on outstanding investigations. Cordell Henland, a Richmond resident, told the board earlier in the evening: "He's done an outstanding job so far as the interim executive director." The board offered public congratulations to Tran before adjourning.

The board did not provide a roll-call tally in open session for the appointment; Shenuga reported the vote as unanimous. Board members said legal follow-up and staff transition tasks would proceed under Tran’s leadership. The next regular rent board meeting is scheduled for the coming week, when members expect to consider additional actions related to exemptions and enforcement.