South Pasadena City Manager Sergio Gonzalez to be Hermosa Beach City Manager

Following a national search, the City of Hermosa Beach announced today that South Pasadena City Manager Sergio Gonzalez will be Hermosa Beach’s new city manager.

“Sergio’s strong reputation became known to us during our search, and we expect he will enjoy even more success in Hermosa Beach,” said Hermosa Beach Mayor Justin Massey. “He brings vitality, experience and a fresh perspective to Hermosa Beach at a time when the city is making decisions and plans that will chart the city’s future.”

The Hermosa Beach City Council unanimously chose Gonzalez, 45, from a field of nearly 60 applicants. The Council is scheduled to vote Wednesday on the approval of Gonzalez’s contract. Gonzalez has served as city manager, assistant city manager, community services director and in other positions for more than 14 years in South Pasadena, a city with a similar size population and city staff and government system.

Gonzalez replaces former City Manager Tom Bakaly, who resigned in August 2016 to become the Beach Cities Health District’s chief executive officer. Retired Santa Monica City Manager John Jalili has been serving as interim city manager since October.

In his new role, Gonzalez will be responsible for the day-to-day administration of Hermosa Beach’s city government, which includes the oversight of 145 fulltime employees and an annual budget of approximately $37.7 million.

Gonzalez will also be responsible for implementing and enforcing city policies and ordinances, and he will help the city complete and implement PLAN Hermosa, an update of Hermosa’s general plan and adoption of a local coastal program.

“I look forward to tackling these new challenges, and I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with the Hermosa Beach City Council, city staff and community,” said Gonzalez.

During his tenure in South Pasadena, the city significantly increased its financial reserves while also investing over $12 million on infrastructure. It added amenities, including a new dog park, and improved its fire safety rating, resulting in lower insurance rates for residents and businesses. It received several honors, including recognition for being an energy-wise, environmentally sensitive and walkable city. Sunset Magazine also named South Pasadena one of its Best Places to Live in the West.

Prior to joining the City of South Pasadena, Gonzalez served for 13 years in the nonprofit management sector. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master of Science degree in Public Administration from California State University at Los Angeles. He serves on his alma mater’s Board of Trustees and is a member of the Municipal Management Association of Southern California and the International City/County Management Association.

He and his wife, Cathy, have twin daughters, Olivia and Sofia, age nine. Gonzalez’s annual salary will be $219,000. His first day on the job is scheduled to be May 15.