Garden Grove Welcomes New City Manager

The Garden Grove City Council has appointed Assistant City Manager and Community and Economic Development Director Lisa L. Kim as the city’s chief administrator. 

Kim has worked for Garden Grove since 2016. She previously worked for the cities of Pomona, West Covina, and Orange.

During her time with Garden Grove, Kim developed the 2021 Comprehensive Plan to Address Homelessness, which included a new mobile response team, a street medicine program, and the creation of the future Central Cities Navigation Center. She is also credited with implementing the Garden Grove Business Resource and Resiliency Plan to help business owners during the pandemic.

“Lisa’s proven track record for maintaining our city’s strong economic development and successfully implementing key city council priorities such as our vital homeless initiatives, gives the city council reason for furthering its trust in her leadership abilities. I know Lisa is well known and highly regarded in our community and throughout the county, and I’m confident that she will do an outstanding job as our next city manager,” said Garden Grove Mayor Steve Jones.  

“I am deeply honored and excited to take this meaningful step in my Garden Grove career and lead an amazing group of people dedicated to serving our residents, businesses, and visitors. My sincerest appreciation to the Garden Grove City Council for the incredible opportunity to work together to meet the current and future needs of the community and keep Garden Grove moving forward as a leading Southern California city,” said Kim.

Kim was born in Hong Kong and raised in London. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and an undergraduate degree in Urban and Regional Planning. She replaces Scott Stiles, who is now serving as City Manager in Palm Springs.  

Image Credit: City of Garden Grove