Santa Monica Appoints New Assistant City Manager

By Lookout Staff

Turning outside the city, Santa Monica has appointed Gordon G. Anderson, a Bay Area city official, as its new assistant city manager, effective March 31.

Gordon, who has served since 1995 as assistant city manager of Hayward, will take the spot vacated when Susan McCarthy was promoted to City Manager last November.

One of five finalists recruited by an executive search firm and interviewed by McCarthy, Gordon has a background in private sector banking and public sector community development.

"Mr. Anderson will bring a mix of experience and skills that will serve us well in Santa Monica," McCarthy said. "I expect he'll very quickly become a familiar and welcome presence in our community."

Recognized for his organizational and consensus-building skills, Anderson has overseen the day-to day- operations in Hayward, where he coordinates the annual budget process and serves as a leader in organizational and personnel issues.

Anderson also guided the development of a coordinated information technology system for the city and managed implementation of Hayward's award-winning civic center and city hall project.

"I am excited about joining the city staff, Council and community to assist in the sustainable city efforts, along with maintaining Santa Monica as an important economic engine for the coastal region," Anderson said.

Before taking his Hayward post, Anderson served as deputy city manager in San Pablo, California from 1991 to 1995. Charged with the Community Development/ Redevelopment Department, he oversaw planning, engineering, building and code enforcement, public works, housing, recreation and senior programs.

Anderson also spent four years as special assistant to the Pasadena City Manager and five years as the city's economic development administrator.

Anderson graduated from Occidental College with a degree in urban and public administration and has an M.B.A. from Saint Mary's College of California.

He is a member of the International City/County Management Association, and has served as chair of the Committee on Professional Conduct, the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, the Hispanic Network and the Urban Land Institute.