Planner Keri Cobb loves that 'every day is different'

City Planner Keri Cobb has only had one employer since she graduated from college in 1995.

She and her husband, Rob, met in high school in Fresno and both went to different colleges while continuing their relationship. She received her bachelors degree in environmental analysis and design from the University of California at Irvine. Rob is currently the assistant superintendent for the Wasco Union High School District.

Keri Cobb moved to Wasco in 1995 to work for the city as an assistant planner. She was eventually promoted to associate planner, then director of planning and community development.

She took some time off to raise their three daughters, 16-year-old Hanna, a junior at Wasco High, and 14-year-old freshmen twins Sarah and Grace. She returned to part-time with the city as a senior planner in 2011, later going full-time.

As a planner for the City of Wasco, Cobb is involved in reviewing and processing applications for new developments as well as helping maintain the city's General Plan and zoning documents.

Cobb has been leading the monthly breakfast Community Coalition meetings, where members within the community and city government and education meet to discuss issues in Wasco so everyone is up to date.

"The favorite part of my job is I love that every day is different," Cobb said. "In a small organization, I've always appreciated that there are a lot of opportunities to find new and creative ways of doing something."

"I find it challenging and exciting to find new and hopefully better ways to provide quality service to our customers."

But one of Cobb's biggest frustrations is the increasing state and federal regulations on local governments, coupled with decreasing funding.

Cobb said that she was lucky when she moved to Wasco in 1995 because she was able to find a small one-bedroom condominium, which is not easy to find..

Cobb added that she liked the opportunities available in smaller communities and the ability to wear several different hats.

Beside her job at City Hall, Cobb manages to attend her daughters' school and sports activities. Sarah, one of her twins, plays volleyball while Grace continues to swim competitively. The twins will be freshmen at Wasco High School this September.

When she isn't working or managing her daughters' schedules, she enjoys traveling and reading. She and her husband's favorite place is Big Sur.

Something that many might not know about Cobb is she at one time aspired to be a ballet dancer and took dance for many years while in Fresno.