Last week, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes announced the selection of Catherine Jun, an experienced public administrator with 14 years of experience in local government, as deputy city manager.
Jun joins Rancho Palos Verdes from the City of Huntington Beach, where she has served as deputy city manager since 2023. She succeeds former deputy City Manager Karina Bañales, who left Rancho Palos Verdes in October to become the city manager of Rolling Hills. Jun’s first day at the City was July 8.
“It is a tremendous honor to join the talented team at the City of Rancho Palos Verdes,” she said. “As deputy city manager, I look forward to collaborating with staff to continually serve our City Council and community stakeholders in ways that will enhance the quality of life of all residents and visitors, while also building upon our legacy of public service excellence.”
Jun began her career as a photojournalist at The Arizona Republic, covering everything from the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign, to major professional sporting events and local human interest stories.
In 2010, she entered the public sector as a policy analyst at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. In 2014, she joined the City of Bellflower as a management analyst, overseeing multi-million-dollar public works grants and various housing and economic development projects.
Jun began her tenure in Huntington Beach as assistant to the city manager at the start of the pandemic, leading the City’s COVID-19 public communication program and community engagement strategies. As deputy city manager, she took on citywide projects involving complex matters such as homelessness, Charter amendments, strategic planning, sustainability and legislative funding requests.
City Manager Ara Mihranian said he is excited to introduce Jun to City staff and the community.
“The role of the deputy city manager is vital in the operation of the City,” he said “As soon as I met Catherine, I knew she was the right fit for RPV. With her vast experience in city government and communications, along with her time in Huntington Beach, she brings a breadth of knowledge and skills that will only better the community and the organization.”
Jun holds a Master of Public Policy degree from USC and a Bachelor of Arts degree in American literature and culture from UCLA.