After a lengthy recruitment process, the Monrovia City Council has appointed a new City Manager: Oliver Chi. The City Council unanimously voted to approve the contract at the September 16 City Council meeting.Oliver Chi has over fifteen years of extensive government experience at both the state and local level. During the past several years, he has served as Assistant City Manager for the City of Barstow, and he has also worked for the communities of Rosemead, Claremont, and Arcadia.
Chi has extensive experience in economic development, human resources management, budgeting, and intergovernmental relations. In addition, his background includes research and implementation of performance measurement and benchmarking initiatives, process improvement, teambuilding, strategic planning and organizational development.
"We are very pleased to welcome Oliver as the newest member of Team Monrovia. This is an exciting time in our City's history and we feel very confident in his experience, professionalism, and the level of energy that he will bring to the team," said Mayor Mary Ann Lutz.
During his career, Chi has served in numerous leadership positions for a variety of local government related associations. In 2004, he was elected president of the Municipal Management Association of Southern California. He has also been a board member for the California City Management Foundation, assisted the Cal-ICMA Preparing the Next Generation initiative, and participated in the Alliance for Innovation.
As an active member of ICMA, Chi authored the March 2004 cover story for Public Management, titled "Rising from the Ashes: Lessons Learned from the Southern California Wildfires of 2003." He has also served as a speaker at local government workshops and conferences.
"Monrovia is a dynamic community with an iconic history and a reputation for innovation that is known throughout the State," said Chi. "I am honored to be a part of such a fantastic City, and I look forward to working with the mayor, City Council, staff, and community to help shape a bright and vibrant future."
Chi, an Eagle Scout, earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles. He also holds a master's degree in public administration from the University of Southern California.
Oliver has been married to his wife Bobbie Jo for ten years, and they have a two-year old son named Ian.
Chi will begin work in Monrovia on October 13, 2014. Fran Delach, a retired City Manager from the City of Azusa, has been serving as Monrovia's Interim City Manager since October 2013, following the retirement of the former City Manager.
Source: City of Monrovia press release
- Brad Haugaard
15 years experience?? I thought he was only 34 years old. That would make him 19 years old when he started gathering his "extensive government experience at local and state levels." Wow, the kid must be a genius--good job city council.
ReplyDeleteUnless he's the crook people in Rosemead say he was.
ReplyDeleteAnd Claremont ...could be worse guess, could have his buddies..one who is in prison and the other who is just as slimy. City Council members better have their eyes wide open. Watch who he brings in...
DeleteEgo maniac, micro manager, unprofessional cackle. So glad he's gone!
ReplyDeleteI don't like the arrogant, self-satisfied smirk on his face. I hope the book is much better than the cover. And the reviews. And the author's last few books. Seriously? Fired from his last job with imprisoned council members gets him a RAISE over the previous City Manager? Is Monrovia really that much of a mess?
ReplyDeleteThis guy is a joke. He must have some good connections.... smells like City of Bell politics... Who the heck hires someone that has been fired from a similar City... I hope the City of Monrovia has him at will with no severance
ReplyDelete