Neighborhood Department Head Appointed

Greg Nelson, chief of staff to Councilman Joel Wachs, was appointed general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, Mayor James K. Hahn announced Thursday.

Hahn said Nelson’s 26 years working for the Studio City councilman and his role in drafting the original plan for neighborhood councils make him well-qualified to take over the department, which has been struggling as it prepares to begin certifying advisory neighborhood councils throughout Los Angeles.

“Greg Nelson brings to the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment a unique combination of experience, energy and creative approaches from his extensive work with community leaders in the San Fernando Valley and across the city,” Hahn said.

Nelson’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the City Council. If confirmed, he would take over a department that Councilwoman Janice Hahn said is in crisis, as residents citywide complain about the unwieldy and difficult-to-follow process of winning certification of neighborhood councils.