Following an exhaustive search, the City of Thousand Oaks is pleased to announce the selection of Akbar Alikhan as its next deputy city manager. Alikhan, who has been serving as interim city manager in Ventura, joins City Manager Andrew Powers and Assistant City Manager Ingrid Hardy in the City Manager’s Office. In this capacity, he will be an important member of the executive team and serve as a key liaison between the City and the community, further advancing municipal responsiveness and innovation.
“Akbar’s extensive and diverse public sector experience, alongside an abiding love for his hometown, made him the ideal choice after a very competitive recruitment,” said Powers. “He started his municipal career here at the City, and this organization is grateful to benefit from the tremendous experience he has garnered since.”
Alikhan brings a dedication to process improvement, a successful large-scale project management track record, and a strong understanding of local and regional challenges facing cities today. Reporting to the city manager, Alikhan will oversee multiple projects and departments while working to implement critical Council and organizational priorities. Alikhan, with outstanding communication skills, has contributed to and presented multiple professional papers and presentations on water policy and workplace development, making him a valuable addition to the City’s organizational culture.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve at this level, particularly for the community in which I was raised and where I started my career,” said Alikhan. “I am fortunate to be able to serve my hometown and feel tremendous gratitude that I get to continue working with so many of my colleagues countywide.”
Alikhan holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics and Management and a Master of Public Administration from Cornell University. A Newbury Park High School graduate, he and his wife are lifelong residents of the Conejo Valley.
Ensuring a successful transition for the City of Ventura to a new interim city manager is a top priority, and he will tentatively begin his position in late June 2023.