Tag: City Manager

SANTA MONICA—On January 22, the city of Santa Monica announced that The Santa Monica City Council Tuesday announced that Elaine Polachek will serve as interim city manager, replacing outgoing City Manager David White during the national recruitment for a permanent appointment.

Polachek previously served the city in various roles for nearly two decades, most recently as Assistant City Manager from 2010-2017.

White announced his departure in December 2024, following more than three years with the city. The Santa Monica City Council also directed staff to immediately begin a national recruitment for a permanent city manager.

“On behalf of the City Council I want to express my gratitude to David for his leadership and service to the community, particularly as we faced regional impacts from the devastating Palisades Fire in his final weeks at the helm, and we wish him the best in his new endeavor,” said Mayor Lana Negrete. “Elaine will provide much-needed stability and a wealth of knowledge of Santa Monica, allowing staff to continue important work to serve residents, businesses and visitors as we proceed with recruitment.”

Polachek first joined the city in 2000 as open space manager. She served as director of the Department of Community Maintenance, deputy city manager, interim city manager and then assistant city manager/chief operating officer. After leaving the city, she was interim executive vice president at Santa Monica College for two years before starting her own government, community and legislative affairs consulting firm, Kings Road Consulting, in 2020.

“Having spent almost 28 years in Santa Monica, I am fortunate to have worked with many of the talented staff who serve this city and I am excited to return to serve as interim city manager during the formal recruitment process to fill the position,” Polachek said. “My commitment is to continue to support Santa Monica as the region recovers from the terrible fires and address the needs of the community. I am confident that together we can make progress in achieving the goals of the council and community.”

Polachek spent 10 years as the operations manager for the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation and served as executive director of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and vice president of marketing for the Pacific Design Center.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California Los Angeles and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California.

Pending final approval of her contract by the Santa Monica City Council, Polachek will join the city effective Monday, February 3 to assist with the transition ahead of White’s departure and will begin as full-time city manager starting February 21, with a salary of $197.41 per hour.

By Trevor

MALIBU—The City of Malibu announced on July 10, that Alexis Brown will be the city’s new Deputy City Manager. She’ll serve at the direction of the city manager and assistant city manager.

Brown served a similar role in Imperial where she worked as assistant city manager. She oversaw eight departments while serving Imperial. Before her position as city manager, she worked in several roles at the city of nearly 15,000: as a management analyst, public information officer and executive assistant to the city manager.

City officials praised what was called Brown’s collaborative nature and communication skills, as well as her track record as a problem solver and developer of strategic vision.

“Malibu welcomes Alexis Brown as the new deputy city manager, and we are excited to have her available to serve our community,” Mayor Bruce Silverstein said in a release. “Alexis has an impressive and varied background, with valuable experience working in relevant roles in local government and serving the residents.”

Brown was named among the “Top 20 Leaders Under 40 in Imperial County” by Valley Women’s Magazine in 2022. She also held the following positions in her career: director of marketing and special events for the Imperial & Brawley Chamber of Commerce and business development specialist for the Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation.

“I am excited to serve the Malibu community in my new role,” Brown said. “I am looking forward to working with city leadership and staff, and building relationships with all stakeholders.”

Deputy city manager roles include, among others, planning, managing and providing administrative direction and oversight for all activities and operations of the City of Malibu; coordinating assigned activities with City departments, officials, outside agencies, and the public; fostering cooperative working relationships among City departments and various community and regulatory agencies; providing highly responsible and complex administrative assistance to the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and City Council in coordinating and directing City-wide departmental activities and operations; serving as acting City Manager in the City Manager’s and Assistant City Manager’s absence.

By Christianne