Steve Simonian : City Manager

City Manager Steve Simonian is a veteran law enforcement and municipal government administrator. In addition to serving as the City’s chief executive officer, he also serves as the executive director of the Bell Gardens Community Development Commission.

Simonian once served as Bell Gardens’ chief of police and assistant city manager.

A resident of La Habra, Simonian has served on the La Habra City Council for more than 10 years and as mayor three times.

Simonian started his law enforcement career as a Montebello police officer in 1966, rising through the ranks and eventually chief of police, a position he held until his retirement after 31 years of service.

In 2000, Simonian was appointed by District Attorney Steve Cooley as chief of the Bureau of Investigations. With more than 250 investigators, it is the 4th largest law enforcement agency in Los Angeles County.

Ending a 40-year career in law enforcement and as an administrator, Simonian left this position with the District Attorney after 5½ years to devote his full time to his management and governmental affairs consulting firm until being asked by the City Council to return to Bell Gardens as City Manager.

Simonian belongs to more than 20 professional and philanthropic organizations. He has also received numerous awards throughout his career.

Simonian was appointed by former governors Pete Wilson and Gray Davis to serve on the California Council on Criminal Justice and the California League of Cities statewide Public Safety Committee. In addition, he has served as a member of the board of directors of many local, state and national governmental organizations.

Simonian attended East Los Angeles College, Rio Hondo College and received an honorary doctorate in law from Seoul Christian University in 2004.