Clovis elected Drew Bessinger as mayor at its city council meeting on Monday, March 25.
Bessinger, who is taking the place of Bob Whalen, said he is honored and humbled for the opportunity to serve in a community that always looks out for its citizens.
Bessinger recognized his son and wife, as well as in-laws who were in attendance to watch him take over in his role.
Bessinger said Clovis is a special place, where everybody cares for each other, taking pride in their schools, the community and making sure Clovis is a great place to live.
“We stand on great shoulders who make Clovis a great place,” Bessinger said. “It doesn’t happen by accident.
Bessinger, who joined the United States Army as a Military Police Officer in 1975, moved to Clovis in 1984.
He served in various roles with the Clovis Police Department and retired in 2017.
Bessinger then began a second career, serving as the Police Chief for the City of Atwater in Merced County.
Whalen said Bessinger is passionate about Clovis and passionate about finding creative solutions.
Whalen added that Bessinger has the heart to serve the citizens and is ready to occupy the role of mayor on a regular basis.
Bessinger said Clovis has the same problems like other places, but the city also has good staff who do a great job, and the citizens set a high bar.
Since his election to the Clovis City Council in 2017, Bessinger was appointed as the Mayor Pro-Tem, presiding over council meetings and serving in other positions when the mayor is unavailable.
“We try to do things that will look good in 10 years,” Bessinger said.
Clovis also elected Jose Flores as the new mayor pro-tem.
Flores said he is honored to serve his hometown and credited the city staff for the work they do.