Key facts
- Oliver Chi has taken on the role of City Manager for Santa Monica.
- Chi aims to restore order, reenergize city staff, and rebuild confidence among residents and the business community.
- He acknowledges Santa Monica has experienced "successive traumas" in recent years.
- Chi previously served as city manager for Irvine and held leadership roles in Huntington Beach, Monrovia, Rosemead, and Barstow.
- He oversees a city budget of $789.9 million and a workforce of over 2,000 employees.
Oliver Chi has assumed the position of City Manager for Santa Monica, a city he describes as having endured "successive traumas" in recent years. Chi, who officially joined the city on July 14, 2025, stated his intention to focus on "realignment" to restore order, reenergize city staff, and rebuild confidence among residents and the business community.
Chi's career in local government includes serving as city manager for Irvine since 2021, and prior leadership roles in Huntington Beach, Monrovia, Rosemead, and Barstow. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles. Chi is married to Bobbie Jo, and they have two children, Ian and Avery.
In his previous role in Irvine, Chi prioritized major developments such as the Great Park and Gateway Village. He believes that healthy, people-focused organizations can drive transformational change and has dedicated his career to improving municipal operations to build better communities. As Santa Monica's city manager, Chi oversees a total city budget of $789.9 million and a workforce of more than 2,000 employees.