National City Manager Announces Retirement

NATIONAL CITY, CA – The city manager of National City announced her intent Tuesday to retire in late spring.

Leslie Deese has served in the National City government for more than three decades. She has been city manager since 2012, when the City Council unanimously appointed her to the post.
According to the city, Deese will continue working as city manager until the council chooses her successor.

"It has been a tremendous blessing and privilege to serve the National City community for the past 33 years," Deese said. "I feel a deep sense of pride in all that we've accomplished, none of which would have been possible without your hard work and dedication."

Deese served four years in the U.S. Navy before joining the National City government as a secretary to the city manager. She has also served as the executive assistant to the city manager, director of community services and assistant city manager. According to Deese's office, some of her chief accomplishments in office include establishing a pension fund, helping the city reach an A+ bond rating and securing several multimillion-dollar grants.

"We truly appreciate the many years of dedicated service Leslie gave to this community and her focus on the professional development of our employees which leaves a lasting legacy in National City," the City Council and Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis said in a joint statement. "We wish her the very best on this new life chapter!"

• ALSO SEE: Gas-Line Rupture Prompts Evacuations In SD

--City News Service/Photo via city of National City