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West Covina introduces and confirms three executive hires for finance, HR and deputy management
Summary
Council heard introductions of three proposed executive hires — a finance director, a human resources and risk management director, and an assistant city manager — and approved them as part of the consent calendar; monthly salaries were read into the record.
The City Council introduced three proposed executive appointments on Aug. 5 and approved them as part of the consent calendar.
Why it matters: Restoring executive‑level positions was presented by staff as essential to city operations, finance and recruitment efforts.
Acting city management told the council it had conducted recruitment and proposed the following appointments: Karen Ogawa as finance director at $17,400 per month; Carmelita Underwood as human resources and risk management director at $14,153 per month; and Nilesh Mehta as assistant city manager at $14,225 per month. Ogawa, Underwood and Mehta each addressed the council, briefly describing professional backgrounds ranging from decades in municipal finance (Ogawa) to human‑resources and risk management experience (Underwood) and a mix of public and private fiscal services (Mehta).
Council members welcomed the appointees and praised their experience. Councilmember Gutierrez noted Ogawa’s prior municipal experience and Underwood’s knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act; other council members emphasized fiscal responsibility and business recruitment as priorities for the new team.
The consent calendar that included the appointments passed on a roll call vote, 4‑0 (Councilman Cantos, Councilwoman Diaz, Councilmember Gutierrez and Mayor Wu voted Aye; Mayor Pro Tem Lopez Villano was absent). The council did not discuss separate authorization language beyond approving the consent item during the meeting.
The new appointees were introduced to the public and staff indicated the hires are intended to restore administrative capacity and support budgeting, grant pursuit and recruitment.
