San Fernando City Manager Brian Saeki is leaving his position here to work for the City of Covina.
Saeki, 42, was selected by Covina officials who interviewed more than 50 applicants. The permanent hiring, which was first announced on Dec. 2, comes about seven months after then former City Manager Andrea Miller abruptly resigned after a little more than a year on the job, a year when more than 20 city employees were laid off and two other positions were eliminated because of deficits.
“I have accepted the City of Covina City Manager position,” said Saeki, by email. He plans to remain with San Fernando through the end of December, and begin Covina on Jan. 3.
“I have enjoyed my nearly three years here in San Fernando, and working with the City Council and community with the goal of moving this community forward. We have made tremendous strides but there is much work to be done. I know that our very capable staff will continue that movement.”
On Monday, Dec. 5, the San Fernando City Council named Finance Director Nik Kimball as the interim city manager.
“I am happy that the City Council has chosen Nick Kimball,” Saeki said. “I hired Nick in mid-2014 as the finance director. He has been instrumental in helping the City through very difficult financial times. He is very capable and will do an outstanding job.”
Saeki, 42, accepted the San Fernando City Manager job in March 2014 after serving as Community Development Director in the City of Downey.