LongBeachMedia@longbeach.gov
Long Beach, CA – Today, Long Beach City Manager Tom Modica shared organizational updates related to the Executive Management Team, including roles and responsibilities. Under the direction of the City Manager, the Executive Management team is responsible for planning and directing the implementation of City programs and initiatives in accordance with City Council policies, the City Charter and Municipal Code, and providing leadership for the effective delivery of municipal services for the Long Beach community.
“As we continue to elevate the structures and efficiencies of our City organization, this update serves as a pathway to more strategic work streams and service priorities,” said Tom Modica. "By working together and embracing new ideas, we can address the evolving needs of our community and make Long Beach an even better place to live, work and play."
The Executive Management Team is comprised of the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Chief Public Affairs Officer, and four Deputy City Managers. Each team member has specific roles and responsibilities that support the organization and the community:
City Manager Tom Modica and Assistant City Manager April Walker
The City Manager continues to have direct oversight of and management of: City Manager Departments, enforcement of laws, Ordinances, Resolutions and contracts; submittal of Annual Budget; Labor Negotiations; and Citywide oversight of: Homelessness and Housing, Economic Development, Public Safety, Elevate 28 Infrastructure Plan and Citywide communications. As part of the organizational update, the Assistant City Manager will now jointly share, alongside the City Manager, responsibility for areas of service within the organization such as: oversees City Manager Departments, supports Mayor and City Council priorities, community stakeholder relations, memo transmittals, and coordinate and collaborate with non-City Manager Departments. The Assistant City Manager will directly oversee the Office of the City Manager, including personnel, budget and administration; the Office of Special Events and Filming; Deputy City Managers and associated programs, including but not limited to: Framework for Reconciliation, Strategic Vision 2030, Citywide infrastructure, and Government Affairs. The Assistant City Manager will also oversee personnel, including hiring challenges, grievance hearings and hiring requisitions, and miscellaneous Citywide administration.
City Communications – Kevin Lee, Chief Public Affairs Officer
Through the Office of Public Affairs and Communications, Chief Public Affairs Officer Kevin Lee provides communications strategy, guidance, training and tools to support Executive communications and Citywide efforts, while also managing the City’s primary communication assets. Additional responsibilities include: develops and implements strategic communications related to City programs, projects and initiatives; leads Citywide emergency communications during declared/proclaimed emergencies; provides crisis communications strategy to the City Manager Executive Team and Department Directors; oversees the City’s brand; develops communications policy, guidance documents and tools for use Citywide; and manages the City’s primary social media pages and media relations activities.
Deputy City Managers
The Deputy City Manager team is organized around four focus area themes based on key community priorities reflected in the Strategic Vision 2030 and structured to support a strong, robust and well managed organization for effective goal implementation: Equity, Wellness and Prevention; Growth and Resilience; Strategic Governance and Policy; and Transparency, Civic Management and Partnerships. While many of these focus areas are implemented by operating City departments, the intent is to provide clearer, initial identification of the lead liaison within the Office of the City Manager to help facilitate, support or advocate for capacity, clarity and resources as needed. In addition to their individual focus areas, each Deputy City Manager also supports Committees and Commissions and special projects.
Below are the four focus areas and their respective Deputy City Manager designee:
Equity, Wellness and Prevention – Teresa Chandler, Deputy City Manager
Supports human services and efforts that elevate the wellbeing, health and opportunity for all residents. Focus areas and responsibilities include Office of Homeless Coordination and Strategy; Office of Equity; Youth and Education; Public Safety Continuum; and Community Engagement.
Growth and Resilience – Meredith Reynolds, Deputy City Manager
Supports initiatives that promote and expand the City’s long-term sustainability, capacity, modernization and resiliency. Focus areas and responsibilities include Office of Climate Action and Sustainability; Citywide Grants Collaborative; Long Beach Recovery Act Office; Infrastructure; Modernization through Technology and Efficiencies; and Management Assistant Program.
Strategic Governance and Policy – Grace H. Yoon, Deputy City Manager
Supports the strategic implementation of citywide priorities through the alignment of goals and resources, effective internal policies and collaborative external partnerships. Focus areas and responsibilities include Office of Intergovernmental Affairs; External Governmental Partnerships; Office of Cannabis Affairs; Strategic Vision 2030 Implementation; Policy/Program Development; City Manager Department Optimization; and Interdepartmental Initiatives.
Transparency, Civic Management and Partnerships – Tyler Bonanno-Curley, Deputy City Manager
Supports civic engagement and strong municipal decision-making that is accountable to the community through information, communications and transparency. Focus areas and responsibilities include City Council Support; Council Communications and Administration; Community Based Arts and Culture Partnerships; Office of Ethics and Transparency; City Hall Engagement and Civic Center Plaza Activation.
The full organizational and service area update is available here.
About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.
For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.