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News out of Mayor Villaraigosa's office is that Rafael López will serve as interim executive director for the Commission on Children, Youth, and Their Families, and Ken Simmons will do the interim thing at the city's Information Technology Agency. Release follows.
NATIONAL SEARCHES BEGIN FOR NEW LEADERSHIP AT COMMISSION ON CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND THEIR FAMILIES AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AGENCY
LOS ANGELES-- Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today announced two interim senior leadership appointments to the Los Angeles city departments. Rafael López will serve as Interim Executive Director for the Commission on Children, Youth, and Their Families, and Ken Simmons will be Interim General Manager for the City's Information Technology Agency.
"I am proud to add two very dynamic managers to the city leadership team," said Mayor Villaraigosa.
"Mr. López, who comes to L.A. from the City of San Francisco, is an experienced manager and policymaker. He has committed most of his professional life to advancing programs that create both security and opportunity for children and families. He will be a great asset here."
"Mr. Simmons comes from within our City family, having worked as the Executive Officer of ITA and Assistant General Manager of the Los Angeles Housing Department. He is a driven leader, who will bring public and private sector experience to his post. I look forward to working with him to further connect Los Angeles through increased WiFi and other technology," Villaraigosa added.
"Our city works only because dedicated public servants like Mr. Simmons and Mr. López step up to the challenges and complexity of serving a metropolis of three and a half million," said Council President Eric Garcetti. "I welcome their talent and their leadership, and the whole council looks forward to their service."
On Mr. López
"We welcome Rafael López to the City of Los Angeles and entrust he will put great energy in promoting early care and education, health and wellness with our city's children - our greatest resource," said Councilmember Tom LaBonge, Chair of the Committee on Arts, Parks, Health and Aging.
On Mr. Simmons
"We look forward to working with Mr. Simmons. His experience is vital in improving our technological infrastructure and implementing new technology while being mindful of the taxpayers' dollars," said Councilmember and ITA Committee Chair Tony Cardenas.
Biography of Rafael López , Interim Executive Director for Commission on Children, Youth, and Their Families
Rafael López is an experienced manager and leader with over twelve years of experience in the public and social sector.
Most recently, Mr. López was Deputy Director of the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families. He managed a Children's Fund dedicated to improving early care and education, health and wellness, after school programs, violence prevention, and youth employment.
He previously served as Senior Deputy for Health and Human Services for Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina doing priority initiatives including reform of the Martin Luther King Jr. Hospital, Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center, development of the future County/USC/City of Los Angeles bio-technology park, nursing reforms, emergency response services, and children's health and human services. He was Founding Executive Director of First 5 Santa Cruz County, launching the countywide implementation of the California Children and Families First Act.
López has a Master's degree in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a Bachelor's degree from University of California, Santa Cruz.
Mr. López replaces Terry Ogawa, whose retirement becomes effective August 18, 2006.
Biography of Ken Simmons, Interim General Manager for Information Technology Agency of the City of Los Angeles
Ken Simmons has 20 years of experience in the public sector. Mr. Simmons previously served as Executive Officer/Assistant General Manager in the Information Technology Agency. Prior to that, he served six years as Assistant General Manager in the Los Angeles Housing Department, overseeing the Department's code enforcement operations for rental inspection and rent stabilization. The Systematic Code Enforcement Program (SCEP) he helped create won the Innovations in Government Award from the Kennedy School at Harvard University.
Prior to his service with the City of Los Angeles Mr. Simmons was the Assistant City Manager of Redondo Beach for 11 years, where he managed all administrative and service operations.
Mr. Simmons holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California, a Master's degree in Politics and Economics from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Mr. Simmons replaces Thera Bradshaw, who retired on July 23, 2006.