Whittier officials praise Saeki, who moves on to city manager role in Vernon
The Vernon City Council on Tuesday approved the hiring of Brian Saeki as its new city administrator. Saeki, Whittier’s city manager since 2019, will start his new job on Feb. 24.
“Brian’s visionary leadership and deep understanding of municipal operations make him an excellent choice to guide Vernon into its next chapter,” said Vernon Mayor Judith Merlo. “We are confident that his experience in city administration and dedication to community-driven initiatives has equipped him to address diverse challenges and implement innovative solutions that will positively impact the growth and stability of the city.”
Vernon, founded in 1905, is southeast of downtown Los Angeles with a population of 222 in 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, ranking it among the least populated cities in Southern California. Despite its small size, the city is packed with industrial sites, factories, food-processing plants and warehouses. Among its employers are Overhill Farms, Tapatio Foods, Papa Cantella’s Sausages and Bon Appetit Bakery.
In announcing Saeki’s departure, Mayor Joe Vinatieri said he leaves a positive mark on Whittier.
“Brian was an excellent city manager, very energetic, lots of vision, and a problem-solver,” Vinatieri said. “He has taken us to a higher level and for that I am very grateful. He is respected not only by this council, but by city staff, his colleagues, and residents alike.”
Officials said Saeki provided “steady, progressive leadership” over the five years he was Whittier’s top administrator, starting with guiding the city through the COVID-19 pandemic and implementing a $500,000 business grant program, prioritizing economic recovery, ensuring the city’s budget remained balanced, and earning Whittier the 2021 Helen Putnam Award in City-Business Relations from the League of California Cities.
Under his tenure, Whittier hired a new police chief, opened the Whittier Navigation Center to help address homelessness, and saw the completion of milestone projects including the renovation of the Whittier Public Library and Whittier Senior Center, and the extension of the Greenway Trail east to the Orange County line.
The launch of mixed-use development opportunities throughout city has met with opposition in regard to the fate of dozens of trees uptown. Saeki also helped launch projects such as a citywide branding and signage campaign, planned expansion of athletic fields for youth sports, a new scholarship program with Whittier College, improvements to Parnell Park and the recent annexation of Whittier Boulevard in West Whittier.
Saeki said his decision to leave Whittier is a personal one and is “about finding the right opportunity at the right time that will allow me to achieve my personal and professional goals at this stage of my career.”
His starting salary at his new post is $357,489. He earned $265,000 a year as city manager of Whittier.
Prior to joining Whittier, Mr. Saeki held leadership roles in Covina, San Fernando, Arcadia, Rosemead, and Downey. He holds a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning from Cal Poly Pomona and a master’s degree in public administration from Cal State Northridge. He is a resident of Monrovia.
Saeki said he will submit a formal 45-day notice to the Whittier City Council, jumpstarting the city’s search for its ninth city manager in its 127-year history.