Long Beach City Manager Patrick West announced the appointment of Tom Modica to the position of assistant city manager on Oct. 24, according to the City.
Section 301 of the City Charter provides the authority for the city manager to appoint an assistant city manager with the confirmation of the City Council. West made the appointment in consultation with the City Council, and their confirmation of the appointment is scheduled for Nov.11, according to the City.
“Tom Modica is highly qualified to fulfill the duties of assistant city manager,” West said. “Throughout his City service, Tom has demonstrated excellent leadership, problem-solving, budgetary and communications skills. He has developed a reputation for being one who is not afraid to take on and resolve complicated issues, engage the community to solve problems and provide candid and thoughtful input on a wide variety of important issues.”
The role of the assistant city manager includes supporting both the city manager and various functions of the city manager’s office, as well as fully performing the duties of the city manager in his or her absence. To select an assistant city manager, the City conducted an extensive recruitment utilizing the services of a firm with experience in executive recruitment, according to the City.
Modica currently serves as deputy city manager and oversees external affairs and special initiatives, maintaining oversight over government affairs, communications and regional initiatives such as water quality, transportation, regional planning, and state and regional funding issues. He also oversees the Tidelands Capital Improvement Division, which is responsible for a planned $275-million capital-improvement program in the City’s coastal area over the next five years, including the rebuild of the Belmont Beach and Aquatics Center.
Modica has worked with City departments and elected officials on several initiatives over the years, including the long-term improvement in the City’s ocean water quality, management and oversight of $120 million in stimulus funds, protection of the City’s interests through the dissolution of redevelopment, the study of the Long Beach Breakwater, the 2010 City Council redistricting process and coordinating citywide media and communications issues, including the City’s award-winning use of social media.
He has worked for the City of Long Beach for the last 12 years, starting as a management assistant in July 2002, and he has served in a number of different roles in the city manager’s office, including assistant to the city manager, government affairs manager, director of government affairs and strategic initiatives, and deputy city manager. He lives in Long Beach with his family.
Source: City of LB
