Norwalk names Jesus Gomez as new city manager

NORWALK -- The Norwalk City Council has chosen Jesus Gomez to fill the role of city manager, effective Feb. 1.

Norwalk officials announced the hire in a news release Tuesday. Details of Gomez’s compensation were not released; council members are expected to formally vote on the contract Tuesday.

Gomez is currently the city manager of El Monte, where he was hired as economic and redevelopment director in 2009. He was promoted to assistant city manager in 2010 and appointed interim city manager in 2013. El Monte council members removed the “interim” title in 2015.

Gomez isn’t new to Norwalk. He began his career in Norwalk as a planning intern in 1989 and worked his way through several departments over the course of 10 years, including as a management assistant in Public Works, then as a budget analyst in the city manager’s office, and ultimately as a revenue and budget coordinator in the Finance Department.

“We are extremely pleased to have Mr. Gomez come back to the City of Norwalk where he began his public service experience almost 30 years ago,” mayor Luigi Vernola said in a statement. “The proven track record of Mr. Gomez in the area of economic development and his private sector investment banking experience impressed all of us during the interview process.

“We are confident that Jesus will hit the ground running and the city will benefit immediately from his results-oriented approach towards economic development in expanding our economic base.”

Gomez was paid an annual salary of $195,000 in El Monte and was just given a 5-year extension this past September.

In addition to his work in local government, Gomez has private sector experience as well. He is former senior vice president at Kinsell, Newcomb & De Dios Inc., where he worked as an investment banker for municipalities in addition to serving as a municipal bond underwriter.

“I am excited and honored to have the unique opportunity to come back to the city of Norwalk where I started my career in public service,” Gomez said in a statement. “With my experience both in the public and private sector, I believe I bring value to the city in being both creative and innovative in my approach towards economic development, infrastructure and finance.

“I look forward to working with the mayor and city council in spearheading new and collaborative ways to improve public safety and provide the high-quality services that Norwalk residents expect and deserve.”

Norwalk fired its previous city manager, Mike Egan, last September and appointed transportation director James Parker to lead the city on an interim basis.

By Raul Samaniego, Eric Pierce, and Alex Dominguez