SALINAS >> Former city of Salinas mayor and Monterey County business leader Kimbley Craig has begun a new job that she says gives her an outlet to give back to the community and the ability “to work on policy and work on constituent issues behind the scenes.”

Craig didn’t seek reelection to the Salinas mayor’s seat this past November, and in December she announced her departure as CEO of the Monterey County Business Council to take on the position of chief of staff for newly-elected Monterey County Supervisor District 5 Kate Daniels.

“I knew that I wanted to serve the public in some meaningful way and it’s very difficult to be the CEO of a very successful organization and serve the public full time in both capacities,” said Craig.

On Tuesday, Daniels was sworn into office replacing Supervisor Mary Adams who did not seek reelection, and launching Craig in her new position.

Craig served the city of Salinas over a 12-year span first as a council member for two four-year terms before gaining the mayor’s gavel for two two-year terms. She announced last May she would not be running to serve another term as Salinas mayor.

That decision was driven by a need “to make a change in my life,” Craig said. “It was a challenging council at that time. I ran on economic development and supporting public safety and … that was not the top priorities for that particular council.”

During her tenure on Salinas’ governing body, Craig had her own business, then took on the role of CEO of the Monterey County Business Council which she has steered for about the last seven years.

In the city of Salinas, those who sit on the dais perform their civic duties part time, which usually requires they have another full-time job.

“Stepping down from the MCBC was really just necessary for me to start my new position with Kate Daniels,” said Craig.

Daniels and Craig have known each other for many years, both having attended Carmel High School, and have “worked politically very well together for the last several years,” said Craig.

The two had been in discussion about working together and Craig said her experience in constituency engagement, knowledge of the community and ability to work independently to help attain the new supervisor’s goals, made her a strong candidate for the job.

Craig saw the opportunity to work with Daniels in a district she knows very well as something she wanted to do full time.

“I lived in Pebble Beach, I went to Pacific Grove Middle School, I went to Carmel High School, I went to MPC, my dad was a business owner in Monterey for 40 years,” said Craig, who added she knows that district like the back of her hand.

In her new position as Daniels’ chief of staff, Craig will act as confidential representative for Daniels, conducting significant analytical and consultative duties, as well as performing a variety of liaison, coordination, constituency and administrative support work on issues, among other duties.

Craig’s role is multifaceted covering everything from being “a second set of ears” to “making sure that I’m there for (Daniels) in terms of the projects she wants to get done.”

The Chief of Staff will also make sure the Supervisor is fully prepared, but stresses, “Kate Daniels is one hell of a smart woman and I have mad respect for her and her knowledge.”

Craig added that she thinks the two have a mutual respect for each other, and understand that though Craig may bring a different perspective, Daniels is there to make the decisions.

“My biggest responsibility as Chief of Staff is to ensure that her office is responsive, and what she says is ‘the most responsive,’ so part of that is being the representative for that district and being the representative for every person that lives in that district in ensuring they get what they need from their supervisor,” said Craig.

After years of working with and for the community, Craig says she is still passionate about giving back to her community and attributes that drive to something she learned by example.

“My parents just instilled in me a responsibility and a drive to volunteer and give back to your community,” she said.

“When you grow up with parents who are on the Board of Directors for Lyceum, or for the church, or for the Blind and Visually Impaired Center, or for Independent Transportation Network …. my dad is still volunteering, he’s 80 years old, he’s still volunteering his time regularly for Independent Transportation Network. I mean, it’s always been in my life.”

Looking to her own future, Craig says in five year’s time she is hopefully still working for Daniels. She acknowledges that she used to be “a big five-year planning gal, but life …. you don’t always get to dictate what life brings you.”

She says that for her, it is about focusing on her new job, her partner in life, being available for her dad (her mother passed in the last few years) and maybe having a little extra time to pick up a hobby or two.

“But also making sure that I have balance … to have better balance,” said Craig. “It was really important for me to continue to doing the work that I’m passionate about but also have some balance.”

Craig said she thinks everybody at some point in their life looks and asks themselves if what they are doing is working.

“I’ve always been a firm believer that if what you’re doing isn’t working for you, then you should change it,” she said.

Craig said she has had many people ask if she plans to run for office again, but that is not a goal, and that being able to work on policy and constituent issues behind the scenes is where she wants to be right now.

“There’s no political aspirations other than to work for Kate,” said Craig.

She understands her new job will be demanding and require her to be available, accessible and responsive, but it is one job and she plans on performing it well.

Craig says she is excited for new beginnings in 2025.