Gov Business Review honors David C. Roberts, Jr. with a historic first for the municipality, celebrating a servant-leadership model that balances courage, empathy, and a high-tech “Gig City” vision.

For the first time in its history, the City of Carson is home to the nation’s top municipal administrator. Gov Business Review has officially named Carson City Manager David C. Roberts, Jr., as the 2026 national City Manager of the Year. The prestigious distinction recognizes Roberts’ highly visible, hand-in-the-trenches operational leadership during civic challenges alongside his transformative masterplan to rebrand Carson as a tech-forward, high-connectivity “Gig City”—the jewel of the South Bay.

The accolade marks a landmark milestone for Carson, signaling its emergence as a model of modern municipal governance while once again receiving national recognition. Roberts’ distinct administrative philosophy focuses on working shoulder-to-shoulder with city staff and community members instead of a traditional, detached approach. This immersive leadership model was starkly visible during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, where Roberts bypassed executive isolation to stand alongside frontline task forces distributing food at community grab-and-go sites. Similarly, during regional environmental odor challenges, he was seen personally answering public inquiries at the city call center and directly coordinating emergency lodging operations for displaced residents.

“This award proves that the City of Carson is making history and giant strides on a national stage, driven by a leadership style that creates a powerful domino effect across our entire organization,” said Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes. “In perfect alignment with the City Council’s vision, David C. Roberts, Jr. empowers our executive team and department directors.

That empowerment flows directly to our city employees, giving them the tools and support to perform at their highest level. Ultimately, this unified chain of leadership is what yields a more vibrant, innovative, and deeply supported community for the residents of Carson.”

In alignment with the Mayor’s vision, members of the Carson City Council expressed collective praise for Roberts’ transformative administrative impact:

  • Mayor Pro Tem Cedric L. Hicks, Sr.: “David Roberts’ hands-on approach is highly commendable. He has always made himself accessible to me and never hesitates to step up. I am grateful for his dedication and look forward to our continued collective work with the Council and staff to move Carson forward.”
  • Councilmember Dr. Jawane Hilton: “Under Mr. Roberts’ leadership, we have successfully positioned Carson as a premier destination city. It has been a pleasure to witness everything he has accomplished during his tenure, and I congratulate him on this incredible milestone.”
  • Councilmember Jim Dear: “Your effective leadership and unique ability to collaborate seamlessly with the City Council, staff, and our residents is truly what sets you apart. This recognition is well-deserved.”
  • Councilmember Arleen Rojas: “The energy and innovation David brings to his role has truly transformed our community. His forward-thinking leadership is exactly what Carson needs as we continue to grow and thrive.”

“Receiving the City Manager of the Year honor leaves me deeply humbled and incredibly grateful,” said City Manager David C. Roberts, Jr. “My leadership in Carson is guided by my desire to be a ‘Builder of Bridges, not barriers,’ ensuring our City connects and lifts up every employee and resident of our community. This award truly belongs to our entire City team, whose shared dedication allows Carson to shine brightly as a ‘City set on a hill that cannot be hidden.’ It is a joy to serve alongside a team that embodies faithful stewardship and turns public service into daily blessings for our residents.”

“True leadership demands a continuous equilibrium between courage, empathy, and future-focused vision,” Roberts added regarding the distinction. “Communities truly thrive only when governance remains completely transparent, ethical, and rigorously accountable. The ultimate tool to unlock that equilibrium is listening—absorbing inputs from multiple directions and ensuring those varied perspectives converge into a singular, bold trajectory. Pivoting institutional challenges into shared community victories is what strengthens the city’s collective impact.”

Rooted in a faith-centered upbringing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, before moving to California at a young age, Roberts was systematically taught to put the immediate needs of others ahead of his own. He institutionalized this value during his formative service in the United States Army, later translating military discipline and deep operational empathy into a decorated career in public administration. This philosophy shapes his daily workplace strategy in Carson, driven by an explicit corporate conviction that municipal employees perform at their peak when their professional duties and personal lives are healthily balanced.

Beyond operational resilience, the award honors Roberts’ aggressive execution of infrastructural and technological innovation. Under his leadership, Carson has driven local progress by leveraging modern technology to empower everyday citizens, balancing visible public improvements with vital “invisible infrastructure.” Key components of his ongoing modern legacy include:

  • Next-Generation Connectivity & Plan Checking: The aggressive deployment of ultra-high-speed fiber networks beneath municipal streets, laying the structural groundwork to transition Carson into a fully connected, economically dominant “Gig City.” Simultaneously, Roberts overhauled municipal operations, digitizing and accelerating the city’s plan check processes to lower barriers for local businesses.
  • Bridging Generations: Centering city employees as Carson’s primary strategic asset, creating clear pathways to shape and mentor the next generation of public sector executives, thereby building institutional bridges instead of regulatory barriers.
  • Sustainability & Smart Progress: Ensuring every ongoing initiative positions the city at the absolute forefront of environmental sustainability, cutting-edge urban planning, and technological modernization.

By focusing heavily on these foundational elements, Roberts is actively cementing a resilient structural framework designed to allow Carson to thrive for generations to come, proving that aggressive growth and deeply empathetic, human-centric governance are not mutually exclusive.