The City of Indio is excited to announce the appointment of Brian Halvorson as its new Community Development Director. Bringing nearly 25 years of experience in local government and a proven track record of leadership in urban planning and development, Halvorson will begin his new role on January 6, 2025.
Halvorson holds a Master of City and Regional Planning degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, specializing in Land Use Planning, and dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. As a Certified Planner with the American Planning Association, he combines academic expertise with professional distinction.
Halvorson’s career began in the City of Santa Maria, where he held several key positions over 16 years, serving as an Assistant Planner, an Associate Planner, and later, as Senior Planner, where he supervised assistant planners and oversaw complex residential, commercial, and industrial projects, providing technical expertise to the Planning Commission and City Council. Most recently, Halvorson served as the Planning Manager for the City of Lompoc, where he oversaw the Planning, Code Enforcement, and Stormwater Divisions. During his tenure in the City of Lompoc, he managed large-scale commercial, industrial, and residential projects, led comprehensive updates to zoning codes and general plans, and championed innovative initiatives such as the Lompoc Streetscape Multi-Modal Improvement Plan, which earned an American Planning Association Award of Merit and $4.9 million in funding.
“Brian Halvorson is an exceptional addition to the City of Indio’s leadership team,” said City Manager Bryan Montgomery. “His deep knowledge of urban planning and his collaborative approach to community development will play a pivotal role in continuing Indio’s growth and future as a thriving and sustainable city.”
Halvorson’s extensive experience also includes serving as Chair of the Lompoc Development Review Board, Secretary to the Lompoc Planning Commission, and Co-Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Vandenberg Space Force Base. He is recognized for his expertise in environmental review, housing element updates, and creating specific plans such as the Santa Maria Downtown Specific Plan.
“It’s an honor to join the Indio Team, especially during an exciting period of growth,” said Brian Halvorson. “I look forward to establishing strong partnerships with the community, promoting a strong and vibrant Downtown and facilitating a wide range of new developments in the City of Indio.”
In his new role, Halvorson will lead efforts to enhance Indio’s growth and development, oversee critical infrastructure and planning projects, and work closely with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to ensure the city’s vision for a vibrant and inclusive community is achieved.