The city of Santa Monica has named Rod Gould as its new City Manager, as announced at its City Council meeting this week.

Gould, the current City Manager of Poway (San Diego County), will earn a base salary of $285,000, relocation assistance and a loan to purchase a home in the city.  Gould was one of more than 100 candidates and the selection out of six finalists.

The 52-year-old will officially begin on Jan. 22.

Gould has served in four cities, is a former President of the City Manager’s Department of the League of California Cities. Prior to serving as City Manager of Poway since 2006, Gould spent nine years as City Manager of San Rafael, five years as City Manager of Monrovia and five years as Assistant City Manager in Walnut Creek. 

“The experience he’s gained throughout his career, his skill mix and focus on community engagement give us every confidence that he is the right person at the right time for Santa Monica” said Mayor Pro Tempore Pam O’Connor in a city press release.
Gould replaced former Santa Monica City Manager P. Lamont Ewell, who announced in August his retirement at the end of the calendar year. Ewell was appointed Santa Monica City Manger in January 2006.