Oliver Chi, the new City Manager of Santa Monica, aims to restore order and rebuild confidence following a period of "successive traumas." He plans to focus on "realignment," reenergizing staff, and demonstrating effective local government.
Santa Monica is navigating a period of transition and financial strain, and the new City Manager's approach to restoring order and rebuilding trust will be critical for the city's future stability and economic recovery.
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.
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