Retired longtime San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister passed away earlier this morning. Mr. McAllister served as San Diego County’s Treasurer-Tax Collector for twenty-three years, before retiring in August 2025.
“This is a sad day at the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office, and for San Diego,” said San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Cohen. “Dan represented the best of public service. He was passionate and tireless about his work and kept the taxpayer at the forefront of everything he did.”
“It was under Dan’s leadership that the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office has gotten triple-a ratings and collected an impressive 99% of taxes for consecutive years. These are tax dollars that help our county run and be safe,” continued Cohen.
“But more importantly, we are thinking of Dan’s family, friends, and former colleagues today. He spoke lovingly of his son and daughter. He was quick to praise his team at the County and the friends and community members who motivated his work,” Cohen continued. “We want to send our sincerest condolences to Dan’s family, and to everyone who knew and loved him. He did a lot for San Diego County, and his good work here continues.”
“Dan will be remembered for his leadership, mentorship, and warm wit. He will be dearly missed,” concluded Cohen.
Dan McAllister served San Diego County residents as the County’s Treasurer-Tax Collector from 2002 to 2025. In this role, Dan oversaw the collection of billions in property taxes each year, the management of over $18 billion in the County’s Investment Pool, and the administration of the County’s over $1.5 billion deferred compensation program. While in office, he worked to improve customer service, enhance communications and outreach initiatives, and ensure the fiscal stability of the treasury. Under his direction, his office consistently reached a 99% collection rate, was recognized with triple-a ratings, and launched an initiative to collect payments online.
Dan contributed considerable time and resources to civic engagement and community service. He served as a member of the San Diego County Employees Retirement Association (SDCERA), the board of CalTRUST, was president of the State Association of County Retirement Systems (SACRS) and served on board of directors of the Peace Corp and Habitat for Humanity. Dan was a board of directors’ chair of the internationally recognized San Diego Convention Center Corporation.
Additionally, Mr. McAllister served as Chair of the San Diego Unified School District’s Special Audit and Finance Committee and was a participating member of the Boards of Directors of the Jackie Robinson YMCA; the New Americans Museum, San Diego; and the Kim Center for Social Balance. Dan’s strong commitment and involvement in the community date back to his service as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in the Western Pacific country of Micronesia.
Prior to serving as the San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector, Dan was a financial consultant and investment broker.
Before that, McAllister worked in radio sales in San Diego and Phoenix.
Photo reporting partner 10 News)
,fit(330,186),quality(65))