Artesia : Interim City Manager Moves Up From Assistant’s Job

Lois B. O’Sullivan has been named interim city manager of Artesia. O’Sullivan, 42, the assistant city manager since May, replaces E. Eugene Romig, who resigned Aug. 5.

The 5-member City Council on Monday unanimously appointed O’Sullivan because “she is capable. . . . She knows what is going on. She gives us stability,” Mayor Jim Van Horn said.

The council chose not to search outside the city for a new manager because it believed O’Sullivan should be given a “first shot” at the job, Councilman Ronald Oliver said. There was no time limit established on how long O’Sullivan will remain in the interim position. However, if she does a good job she could be named to the postion permanently, Oliver said.

O’Sullivan, 42, has worked for Artesia for 2 1/2 years. She was hired in 1985 as a private consultant to work in securing federal Community Development Block Grant funds for the city. In two years, O’Sullivan said she has obtained about $1 million in grants.

O’Sullivan has held a variety of jobs in the private and public sectors, including two years as a community development specialist with the city of Whittier. She also has worked as a consultant with the Southern California Assn. of Governments and helped prepare a report for the state Seismic Safety Commission on aid and assistance for victims of the 1983 Coalinga earthquake.

O’Sullivan has a bachelor’s degree in urban studies and a master’s degree in public policy and administration, both from Cal State Northridge. She will receive a monthly salary of $4,000 and the use of a city car. She lives in Lakewood.

Romig, 47, who had also been with the city since 1985, said he was resigning because he believed it was time for a career change. He did not reveal his plans.