Elaine Polachek appointed interim city manager
January 22, 2025 9:15 AM
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Jan. 21, 2025) – The Santa Monica City Council Tuesday announced that Elaine Polachek will serve as interim city manager, replacing outgoing City Manager David White during the national recruitment for a permanent appointment.
Polachek previously served the city of Santa Monica in various roles for nearly two decades, most recently as Assistant City Manager from 2010-2017.
White announced his departure in December, following more than three years with the city of Santa Monica. The City Council Tuesday also directed staff to immediately begin a national recruitment for a permanent city manager.
“On behalf of the City Council I want to express my gratitude to David for his leadership and service to the community, particularly as we faced regional impacts from the devastating Palisades Fire in his final weeks at the helm, and we wish him the best in his new endeavor,” Mayor Lana Negrete said. “Elaine will provide much-needed stability and a wealth of knowledge of Santa Monica, allowing staff to continue important work to serve residents, businesses and visitors as we proceed with recruitment.”
Polachek first joined the city of Santa Monica in 2000 as open space manager. She then served as director of the Department of Community Maintenance, deputy city manager, interim city manager and then assistant city manager/chief operating officer. After leaving the city, she was interim executive vice president at Santa Monica College for two years before starting her own government, community and legislative affairs consulting firm, Kings Road Consulting, in 2020.
“Having spent almost 28 years in Santa Monica, I am fortunate to have worked with many of the talented staff who serve this city and I am excited to return to serve as interim city manager during the formal recruitment process to fill the position,” Polachek said. “My commitment is to continue to support Santa Monica as the region recovers from the terrible fires and address the needs of the community. I am confident that together we can make progress in achieving the goals of the council and community.”
Before coming to the city, Polachek spent 10 years as the operations manager for the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation and served as executive director of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and vice president of marketing for the Pacific Design Center.
She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of California Los Angeles and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California.
Pending final approval of her contract by the City Council, Polachek will join the city effective Feb. 3 to assist with the transition ahead of White’s departure and will begin as full-time city manager starting Feb. 21, with a salary of $197.41 per hour.
Media Contact
Tati Simonian
Public Information Officer
Tati.Simonian@santamonica.gov
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