The City of Long Beach recently appointed six individuals to key management positions, including three department director positions, a deputy fire chief, a public-affairs officer and the business-operations manager for the Gas and Oil Department.
“These appointments fill key positions in the city that provide essential services to our community,” said City Manager Patrick West. “This is a talented group of people from varying and diverse backgrounds who bring incredible experience and talent to the City of Long Beach.”
Gas and Oil director
The city manager has named Robert Dowell as the City’s director of the Long Beach Gas and Oil (LBGO) Department. Dowell brings 36 years of professional experience in both the gas and energy sectors, and his appointment will be effective in early April 2016. Dowell is currently the vice president and general manager of Long Beach-based Warren E&P, Inc., which he joined in 2007. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Washington in 1980. Dowell replaces Chris Garner, who resigned as director in September 2015 to become general manager of the Long Beach Water Department.
Public Works director
Craig Beck has been appointed director of Public Works, effective March 12. Beck has worked for the City since 1986 in Fire, Community Development, Development Services, and the gas and oil departments. He currently serves as the interim director of Public Works, overseeing 440 employees and a budget of $147 million. Prior to his service as interim director, he was the business operations manager for the Gas and Oil Department.
Interim airport director
Juan Lopez-Rios, the City’s current property services manager for Economic and Property Development, has been named as the interim airport director, effective April 2. Lopez-Rios has worked for the City since 2001. He has also held management positions in Public Works and at the Long Beach Airport, where he oversaw the airport’s ground leases, airline and ground transportation contracts and concessions, and assisted with the planning for the new parking structure and concourse, the sale of City Bonds for the parking structure and the slot allocations for the start of passenger service for Allegiant and Frontier Airlines. The City will conduct a nationwide recruitment for the next airport director.
Deputy fire chief
Fire Chief Mike DuRee has appointed Chris Rowe to the position of deputy fire chief, effective March 19. Rowe has worked for the City since 1985, serving as public-safety dispatcher, firefighter, engineer, captain and battalion chief, and he is currently an assistant fire chief. Rowe takes over for Dave Segura, who was recently appointed Huntington Beach’s fire chief. The City will be recruiting for a new assistant fire chief over the next few months.
Public-affairs officer
Kerry Gerot has been named the permanent public-affairs officer in the City Manager’s Office, effective March 5. Gerot has worked for the City since 2011, and she was most previously acting public-affairs officer. She has also held a management position at Long Beach Airport, as well as having experience in the private sector, including: producing and directing documentary material and PSAs; marketing plans for feature films in the entertainment and music industries; managing editor of a magazine; and public relations and visual communications for various clients.
Business Operations manager
Tony Foster has been named Business Operations Bureau manager for Long Beach Gas and Oil, effective March 12. Foster has worked for the City since 2008, and he is currently the acting Business Operations Bureau manager. He most previously was gas supply officer. Foster has also held management positions in Development Services, serving as a redevelopment project officer.
Director of Parks, Recreation & Marine
Marie Knight was named director of Long Beach Parks, Recreation & Marine on Feb. 19. She is currently the director of Community Services for the City of Orange and will start her position in Long Beach on March 28.
“I want to congratulate the new members of the team, and I know that they will do their utmost to ensure that the City continues to provide excellent services to every resident, business and visitor,” West said. “I also want to thank Edward Farrell for his outstanding leadership as interim director of Gas and Oil these past six months.”
