At its meeting on May 2, El Segundo City Council approved the appointment of Robert Espinosa to serve as interim fire chief and David Cain to serve as interim chief financial officer, pending a recruitment for a permanent fire chief and chief financial officer.
Interim Fire Chief Robert Espinosa has over 40 years of fire service experience, including 15 years as fire chief. He began his career as a fire protection specialist with the U.S. Army, and just four days after his honorable discharge, joined the El Segundo Fire Department in 1982. He served in El Segundo for three years before joining the Long Beach Fire Department, where he rose through the ranks to assistant fire chief. He then served as fire chief for the cities of Rialto and Manhattan Beach until his retirement in April 2018.
“Chief Espinosa’s broad experience at all levels of his fire service career and knowledge of the South Bay make him an ideal fit for interim fire chief. I have every confidence that he will be a great asset to the City’s executive team and fire department,” said City Manager Darrell George.
In addition to fire service, Chief Espinosa was a Manhattan Beach Rotarian, served on the Executive Board of the League of California Cities, and was president of the South Bay Police and Fire Memorial Foundation – just to name a few.
“I have dedicated most of my adult life to public service and am excited to rejoin the El Segundo family. In addition to the usual fire chief activities, I look forward to helping recruit the perfect chief officer to take over as the full-time, permanent leader of the El Segundo Fire Department,” shared Chief Espinosa.
City Council also selected David Cain to lead the City’s Finance Department during this interim period. Cain has over 28 years of public sector finance experience and 20 years of private sector experience as corporate controller and owner/manager of several businesses. He was the 2020 recipient of the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers Distinguished Service Award for outstanding service to the field of municipal finance.
“Maintaining a balanced budget and fiscal stability are top priorities for the City,” said City Manager Darrell George. “David’s wealth of knowledge, extensive experience and collaborative leadership style will be a tremendous asset to the organization.”
Cain has served at the executive level in six local California agencies, including the cities of Fountain Valley, San Bernardino, Chino, Sierra Madre and the Moulton Niguel Water District. Post-retirement, he has provided support to the cities of Los Alamitos, La Habra Heights, Fountain Valley and served as interim finance director for the City of Claremont.
“I am honored and thrilled to become part of the El Segundo team and look forward to working with the city council, city manager and city staff to continue to serve this community as a great place to live, work and visit,” said David Cain.
Cain will take over as the interim chief financial officer on Tuesday, May 16, and Espinosa will start as the interim fire chief on Wednesday, May 3.