New Leadership Appointed to Santa Monica Public Works Department
December 26, 2019 12:28 PM
SANTA MONICA, Calif. – City of Santa Monica Public Works Director Susan Cline has appointed five leaders to the Public Works Department: Peter James was named Chief Operations Officer, Stelios Makrides was selected as Chief Operations Officer-Airport Director, Christopher Dishlip was appointed Capital Program Manager, Alex Nazarchuk was named City Engineer, and Sunny Wang was selected as Water Resources Manager.
"I have worked closely with each of these team members, and they have demonstrated their capacity to effectively lead Public Works operations and collaborate with City staff and community members,” said Public Works Director Susan Cline. “I look forward to working with them to continue providing essential services to the Santa Monica community.”
Peter James oversees strategic planning and operations for the Public Landscape Division and the Office of Sustainability and the Environment. Prior to joining the Public Works Department, he spent 14 years with the Planning and Community Development Department as the Principal Planner in charge of leading the City’s long-range planning projects including the Downtown Community Plan, the Lincoln Neighborhood Corridor Plan, and the Pico Wellbeing Project. James earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a master’s degree in urban design from the London School of Economics. He is a member of the American Planning Association. James is also a daily bicycle commuter and an early morning runner, and he enjoys traveling to far-away places with his wife and two kids. He began his role on December 9, 2019, and has an annual salary of $159,540.
Stelios Makrides oversees operations for the Santa Monica Municipal Airport, Facilities Maintenance Division, and the Fleet subdivision. Makrides has worked for the Airport for the past 13 years, starting out as an Airport Noise/Operations Specialist and working his way up to Airport and Real Estate Director. His responsibilities have expanded greatly over the years to include navigating complex areas of work related to budgeting, maintenance, and community and federal government relations. Prior to joining the City of Santa Monica, he began his career in 2003 with the Santa Barbara Airport. Makrides earned a bachelor’s degree in aviation administration from California State University, Los Angeles and is a member of the American Association of Airport Executives. He is a devoted husband and father of two beautiful daughters with whom he enjoys traveling, strolling on the beach, spending time at the park and cycling. He began his role on December 22, 2019, and has an annual salary of $187,692.
Christopher Dishlip leads the Architecture Services Division and is responsible for overseeing the City’s architectural projects, including planning, design, and construction activities for citywide Capital Improvement Program projects, as well as tenant improvements related to City-owned facilities and open spaces. He has 16 years of experience in public works design and construction, 10 of which he has spent in the City’s Public Works Department where he led the completion of large-scale projects including the Pico Branch Library, Parking Structure 6, and Ishihara Park. He earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Arizona and a Master of Science in civil engineering, specializing in construction management, from the University of Southern California. He is a licensed professional civil engineer, holds an accreditation in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED AP) and is a Design-Build Professional (DBIA Associate). When not at work, Dishlip enjoys biking and spending time at the beach with his family. He began his role on September 1, 2019 and has an annual salary of $180,468.
Alex Nazarchuk manages the Engineering and Street Services Division, overseeing design and construction of capital projects, reviewing plans for private development and public right-of-way improvements, and managing street maintenance including roadway, sidewalk and alley repairs. Nazarchuk has 17 years of engineering experience, 13 with the City of Santa Monica. During his time with Public Works, Nazarchuk has overseen major construction projects including the Charnock Wellfield Restoration Project and expansion of the Expo Light Rail into Santa Monica. He also served for nearly two years as Interim Water Resources Manager where he led efforts to update the Sustainable Water Master Plan, a blueprint for reducing the City’s reliance on imported water. Before joining the City, Nazarchuk worked for an engineering consulting firm and a local building contractor. Nazarchuk is a SAMOHI graduate and earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Master of Engineering, civil engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He began his role on November 11, 2019 and has an annual salary of $183,348. He is the father of two boys, born in Santa Monica. Nazarchuk enjoys trying new food and traveling to new destinations with his family.
Sunny Wang oversees operations for the Water Resources Division, which includes groundwater production, treatment, and distribution of high-quality drinking water for the City as well as wastewater collection services. Additionally, Wang directs water resources policies and is leading the City’s goal of achieving water self-sufficiency as adopted by the City Council. Wang has 18 years of experience in the engineering and water industries. He served as Principal Engineer for the City’s Water Resources Division a year before being promoted to his current role. Prior to joining the City, he worked as a consultant for leading environmental engineering firms and implemented water treatment solutions globally. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California where he teaches a course on water treatment design for the Viterbi School of Engineering. Wang earned both a Bachelor of Science in chemical and environmental engineering, and a Master of Science in environmental engineering from the University of California, Riverside. He is a licensed professional civil engineer and is a member of the American Water Works Association and WateReuse Foundation. He enjoys exploring the world with his family and cycling along Pacific Coast Highway in his free time. He started his position on November 11, 2019, and has an annual salary of $173,700.
###
Media Contact
Constance Farrell
Communications & Public Information Manager
Constance.Farrell@santamonica.gov