By Jorge Casuso
April 8, 2026 -- Christopher Dishlip -- who recently led some of the City's largest building projects -- has been promoted to head Santa Monica's Department of Public Works.
A member of the Department for nearly 17 years, Dishlip has served as assistant director of Public Works since 2022 after leading the Facility Maintenance and Architecture Services divisions and serving as the city’s capital program manager. 
The move comes as City Manager Oliver Chi is filling top positions from within City Hall during the implementation of an ambitious Realignment Plan to turn the struggling City around.
“What sets Chris apart is how he leads -– with humility, a deep commitment to serving his team and the community, and the kind of quiet determination that inspires everyone around him,” Chi said in a statement Tuesday.
“As we execute the Realignment Plan, having someone with Chris' character and capability leading Public Works gives me tremendous confidence in what we'll accomplish together for Santa Monica.”
The Public Works Department had an annual adopted budget of $189.234 million and 494 full-time employees in Fiscal Year 2025-26, making it the City's largest department, according to the latest budget.
The Department is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the city's infrastructure and public spaces and overseeing critical services, including water resources, waste management, street maintenance and engineering projects.
Dishlip assumed the top post on Monday, two weeks after the City Council approved a Realignment Plan Update that includes expanding maintenance and cleaning services across the city.
It also includes a comprehensive reorganization of the Public Works Department that is the plan's "most significant departmental restructuring," officials said.
The reorganization -- which adds 12 positions -- moves the Mobility Division from the Department of Transportation into Public Works Engineering at a time when curbing fatal and severe traffic accidents has become a major Council focus.
It also includes "the creation of a new Downtown and Beach Maintenance Division, merging the existing Downtown and beach maintenance teams under a unified structure," officials said.
Since joining the city, Dishlip has "led the completion of large-scale projects" that include the new City Hall East facility, the Pico Branch Library, Parking Structure 6, Ishihara Park, Historic Belmar Park, Fire Station 1 and the City Yards Modernization, City officials said.
Dishlip has a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Arizona, a Master of Science in civil engineering from USC and obtained a Certificate in Executive Management from UCLA.
He is a California licensed professional civil engineer, holds an accreditation in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED AP) and is a Design-Build Professional (DBIA Associate).
“I’m honored to have been asked to lead our talented Public Works team at such a pivotal moment for Santa Monica,” Dishlip said.
“The investments we're making through the Realignment Plan are about more than infrastructure -- they’re about restoring the standard of excellence that residents, businesses, and visitors expect from this City, and I can’t wait to get to work."
Dishlip officially assumed the role on April 6, with an annual salary of $315,684.
He takes the helm from Director Rick Valte, who announced his retirement this year after nearly 26 years with the City.