PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
www.longbeach.gov
5/5/2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Release # 050515
Subject:
Parks, Recreation and Marine Director George Chapjian to Lead Community Services Department for Santa Barbara County
Contact:
George Chapjian
562.570.3172
George.Chapjian@longbeach.gov
Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine
562.570.3172
George.Chapjian@longbeach.gov
Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine
George Chapjian, Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM), today announced his resignation from the City of Long Beach to accept a position as Director of the Community Services Department for Santa Barbara County. Mr. Chapjian was appointed PRM Director in January 2011, and also has extensive experience in Community Development and Neighborhood Revitalization.
"My time spent in Long Beach will always have a special place in my heart," Mr. Chapjian said. “It has been so wonderful to see how we help the community enrich their lives through our parks, marinas and programming, and I'm going to miss working with our incredibly professional, dedicated, hard-working staff in Long Beach.”
Under his leadership, PRM won the prestigious National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Parks and Recreation by the National Parks and Recreation Association in 2013. Mr. Chapjian oversees an annual budget of $52 million, 1,300 full and part-time staff, and the nation’s largest municipally-owned marina.
“I will always be grateful to George for serving our city with passion and expertise. He and his team have helped thousands and thousands of people learn new skills, adopt a pet, live a healthier lifestyle or just enjoy a beautiful day at one of our wonderful parks” said City Manager Patrick West. “We wish him the best, and hope that he succeeds in his new position as much as he did here.”
Mr. Chapjian’s last day with the City of Long Beach will be June 26, 2015. The City will conduct a nationwide search for Mr. Chapjian’s successor, considering both internal and external candidates who choose to apply. Upon Mr. Chapjian’s departure, the City Manager will appoint an Interim Director to lead PRM until the selection process is complete.
Chapjian holds multiple degrees from the University of Southern California, including a Master of Social Work, a Master of Gerontology and a Bachelor of Art in Psychology.
Prior to his appointment in Long Beach in 2011, Chapjian was the Director of the City of Glendale’s Community Services and Parks Department for eight years. In addition to managing the city’s park department, he also administered arts and culture programs, grant administration, federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and homeless programs. Prior to that position, he worked for the City of Pasadena in Neighborhood Revitalization, Human Services, and for the City Manager’s Office.
Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine operates 160 parks with 26 community centers, two major tennis centers, one of the busiest municipal golf systems in the country with five courses, the largest municipally operated marina system in the nation with 3,500 boat slips and 6 miles of beaches. More than 3,000 acres within the City's 50 square miles are developed for recreation.
"My time spent in Long Beach will always have a special place in my heart," Mr. Chapjian said. “It has been so wonderful to see how we help the community enrich their lives through our parks, marinas and programming, and I'm going to miss working with our incredibly professional, dedicated, hard-working staff in Long Beach.”
Under his leadership, PRM won the prestigious National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Parks and Recreation by the National Parks and Recreation Association in 2013. Mr. Chapjian oversees an annual budget of $52 million, 1,300 full and part-time staff, and the nation’s largest municipally-owned marina.
“I will always be grateful to George for serving our city with passion and expertise. He and his team have helped thousands and thousands of people learn new skills, adopt a pet, live a healthier lifestyle or just enjoy a beautiful day at one of our wonderful parks” said City Manager Patrick West. “We wish him the best, and hope that he succeeds in his new position as much as he did here.”
Mr. Chapjian’s last day with the City of Long Beach will be June 26, 2015. The City will conduct a nationwide search for Mr. Chapjian’s successor, considering both internal and external candidates who choose to apply. Upon Mr. Chapjian’s departure, the City Manager will appoint an Interim Director to lead PRM until the selection process is complete.
Chapjian holds multiple degrees from the University of Southern California, including a Master of Social Work, a Master of Gerontology and a Bachelor of Art in Psychology.
Prior to his appointment in Long Beach in 2011, Chapjian was the Director of the City of Glendale’s Community Services and Parks Department for eight years. In addition to managing the city’s park department, he also administered arts and culture programs, grant administration, federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and homeless programs. Prior to that position, he worked for the City of Pasadena in Neighborhood Revitalization, Human Services, and for the City Manager’s Office.
Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine operates 160 parks with 26 community centers, two major tennis centers, one of the busiest municipal golf systems in the country with five courses, the largest municipally operated marina system in the nation with 3,500 boat slips and 6 miles of beaches. More than 3,000 acres within the City's 50 square miles are developed for recreation.