Santa Monica Names New City Manager

The Santa Monica City Council selected Los Angeles Deputy Mayor for Budget and Innovation Rick Cole as city manager.

Cole had been city manager of Azusa and Ventura and a Pasadena mayor and councilman. He has been recognized as one of America’s Public Officials of the Year by Governing Magazine and one of the “Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers” by Government Technology Magazine.

“Our City Council is unanimously enthusiastic about what we all agree is a perfect fit of city and manager,” Santa Monica Mayor Kevin McKeown said. “Rick Cole is a respected and inspirational visionary for successful sustainability, resilience, and quality of life.

“We took very seriously our community’s contributions to the job description from which we hired Rick. He has proven in city after city his ability to incorporate diverse input, identify shared goals, balance economic development and residential quality of life, and bring communities together.”

Said Cole: “I’m excited about this opportunity as city manager of Santa Monica to bring together every city department to make great places and improve the quality of life for all citizens.”

Cole succeeds Rod Gould, who retired in January.

--City News Service; Image via City of Santa Monica

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