City Administrator Carmen Chu announces Sally Oerth as San Francisco's Director of Real Estate

SAN FRANCISCO, CA---Today, City Administrator Carmen Chu announced the appointment of Sally Oerth as the City and County of San Francisco’s Director of Real Estate. Oerth most recently served as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Housing Services at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and previously as Interim Executive Director of the San Francisco Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure (OCII).

Oerth will succeed Andrico Penick, who will retire after 7 years leading the City’s Real Estate Division and 30 years in local government guiding real estate transactions and redevelopment. Under Penick's leadership, the City acquired strategic properties that built a more resilient and cost-effective portfolio, met the complex needs of departments, and supported San Francisco’s economic recovery.

“Sally’s understanding of the local development landscape and proven track record of delivering complex projects in both the public and private sectors are invaluable as we work to strengthen the City’s diverse real estate portfolio,” said City Administrator Carmen Chu. “I am thrilled that Sally will be bringing her strategic approach to complement the work at the Real Estate Division and look forward to working with her to provide safe, modern, well-managed facilities for our hardworking City employees and all those who access City services.”

“At the same time, I want to recognize and thank Andrico Penick, who will be retiring this summer. Andrico's integrity, vision, commitment, and, frankly, creativity in managing and safeguarding our suite of aging office facilities will leave a lasting impact on San Francisco for generations. A great colleague who is always willing to roll up his sleeves to problem-solve, Andrico will be greatly missed, and we wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

About Sally Oerth

Sally Oerth has over 20 years of experience leading complex real estate, housing, and infrastructure initiatives for the public sector. Since 2023, Oerth has served as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Housing Services at UCSF, where she has directed property operations, capital planning, and leasing strategy for a diverse portfolio of over 1,500 residential units. Under her leadership, UCSF implemented a data-driven capital planning and asset management model to advance UCSF’s long-term facility strategies and lay the groundwork to expand the university’s workforce housing.

Before joining UCSF, Oerth served as the Interim Executive Director of the Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure. Over nearly 17 years at the OCII and its predecessor, the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, Oerth played a pivotal role shaping some of the city’s most transformative public-private development efforts, such as Mission Bay, Candlestick Point, and Transbay. Her work helped advance the delivery of thousands of affordable homes, millions of square feet of commercial space, and essential public infrastructure.

"I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to return to City service and support the important work of the City Administrator’s team,” said Sally Oerth. “San Francisco’s real estate portfolio plays a vital role in shaping how we deliver services, support our workforce, and invest in our neighborhoods. I look forward to working collaboratively to ensure these public assets are managed thoughtfully and with long-term positive impact for our communities.”

“Sally's extensive experience in affordable housing and real estate has been a tremendous asset to UCSF," said Ellie Rossiter, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Community Relations and Strategic Partnerships for UCSF. "She has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to collaborate with all stakeholders, significantly contributing to our success.”

“Sally Oerth is a seasoned and strategic real estate leader who brings deep public sector experience and a steady, solutions-oriented approach to complex urban development,” said Tiffany Bohee, President of Mercy Housing California. “Her appointment is a win for San Francisco, and I look forward to the positive impact her leadership will have on the City’s future.”

Oerth holds a Master of Public Administration at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a bachelor's degree from Brown University. Her appointment is effective on August 18, 2025.

About Andrico Penick

Andrico Penick served as San Francisco’s Director of Real Estate from 2018 - 2025, managing a team of 300 employees to buy, sell, and lease real estate for over 50 City departments and provide facilities management services for over 4 million square feet of property.

As Director, Penick delivered key deals that provided seismically resilient workspaces for City departments and advanced the City’s public safety, health, and housing goals. Penick negotiated strategic leases at 1455 Market Street to provide a modern campus for 11 City agencies and enable departments to move thousands of employees to a more seismically safe building. To fulfill the City’s need for a new fire training facility, Penick directed a series of purchase agreements of both public and private land to consolidate the Fire Department’s 3 training facilities. As a result, 1,700 firefighters will soon have a modern facility to complete trainings at one efficient location. The facility is currently in the planning stages at 1236 Carroll Avenue in the Bayview neighborhood.

Prior to becoming the City’s Real Estate Director, Penick served as Chief Real Estate Counsel for the City of Alameda, where he advised on all matters related to the redevelopment of the former Naval Air Station now known as Alameda Point. He previously served as the Deputy Director of the Real Estate Division and Deputy General Counsel of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency.

“It is with excitement and sadness that I take this next step in life’s journey and retire from City employment,” said Andrico Penick. “The Director of Real Estate position has been one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever had, but it has also been extremely rewarding.  I’m thankful for the experience and appreciated working with each and every one of you.  I will sorely miss my City family.”

“San Francisco has been incredibly fortunate to have Andrico Penick leading our real estate team,” said Board President Rafael Mandelman. “His work behind the scenes—negotiating complex deals, modernizing city facilities, and making sure our public servants have safe and functional spaces to do their jobs—has made a real and lasting impact. I’m grateful for his steady leadership, professionalism and excellent advice. I fear we will miss him quite a bit, but his retirement is well-earned and well-deserved.”

“We owe Mr. Penick a debt of gratitude for his professionalism, dedication and meticulous attention to detail. Andrico Penick saved San Francisco taxpayers millions of dollars with his savvy, no nonsense approach to real estate negotiations,” said Aaron Peskin, former President of the Board of Supervisors. “It was truly a pleasure to work with him, and he will be missed.”

Penick began his legal career in the United States Navy representing the US government as a prosecutor and providing defense counsel for sailors and marines. Penick was honorably discharged with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He has a Juris Doctorate degree from George Washington University Law School and a bachelor’s degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.