City administrator chosen

After half a year of searching, Huntington Beach has found a new permanent city administrator, officials announced Wednesday.

The new person to head Huntington Beach’s numerous departments will be Fred Wilson, 49, now city manager of San Bernardino. Wilson has held that job for 12 years, following nine years of subordinate jobs in the same office. Following a City Council vote on his contract Monday, he is scheduled to start in Huntington Beach Sept. 22.

“It is an honor to be appointed as the new city administrator for the city of Huntington Beach,” Wilson said in a statement. “I am looking forward to working with the mayor and City Council, city employees and partners in the community to help implement the city’s priorities and strategic goals.”

Mayor Debbie Cook said she felt positive about the decision.

“We’re feeling hopeful” about Wilson, she said. “He comes from a city where he worked for nearly 20 years and is obviously well-respected and well-liked there, and I look forward to working with him.”

Council members interviewed six finalists June 20; initially there were 86 applicants, 20 of whom were considered qualified by the city’s recruitment firm.

Councilwoman Jill Hardy called Wilson the strongest choice of a strong field

“I think we had a lot of great candidates,” she said. “We chose the best of the candidates. He’s really a right fit for Huntington Beach, and I’m looking forward to working with Fred.”

Wilson oversees a $250-million budget with about 1,200 employees in his current role, according to a city news release. He has a master’s in public administration from Cal State Northridge, as well as a bachelor’s in urban planning from Cal Poly Pomona.

Huntington Beach has been without a permanent city administrator since the former executive, Penny Culbreth-Graft, left to become city manager of Colorado Springs in January. Since that time, Asst. City Administrator Paul Emery has taken on her responsibilities. Emery will go back to his former position now, officials said.

Council members praised Emery’s performance as interim city administrator.

“Paul’s been doing a great job as the interim city administrator,” Hardy said.

“I’m glad he’s still with us in the deputy spot. I hope that Fred will be a great addition to the great team that we’ve already got.”

MICHAEL ALEXANDER may be reached at (714) 966-4618 or at michael.alexander@latimes. com.