NEW : City Council Selects Steve Napolitano as Hermosa Beach's Next City Manager

The Hermosa Beach City Council announced today that it has selected Steve Napolitano, who has served as the city's Interim City Manager since May, to take on the role permanently. The Council will vote on Napolitano's contract at its December 9 meeting, with the appointment taking effect the following day if approved.

Napolitano, a lifelong South Bay resident and licensed attorney, brings more than 30 years of municipal government experience to the position. He will oversee 150 full-time city employees and manage a $55.5 million annual budget.

His selection concludes a nationwide search conducted by executive recruitment firm Peckham and McKenney that considered 56 candidates for the position. The search began after former City Manager Suja Lowenthal's departure earlier this year.

"During his time as Interim City Manager – from 7:00 am on day one – Steve has worked tirelessly to lead and support our City staff," Mayor Rob Saemann said in a statement. "He brings to our community years of experience in city government and a lifelong understanding of our beach culture."

Deep South Bay Roots

Napolitano's resume includes five terms on the Manhattan Beach City Council, where he served as both councilmember and mayor. During that tenure, he was both the youngest and longest-serving elected official in Manhattan Beach history. He also spent 12 years as Senior Deputy to former Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, overseeing several county departments and representing the supervisor throughout the beach cities.

More recently, from 2017 to 2022, Napolitano served as chief of staff and senior advisor to Long Beach Councilwoman Stacy Mungo.

"Growing up in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa has always been a second home to me, and I'm well acquainted with its people and its culture," Napolitano said. "Serving as Interim City Manager over the past six months has given me an even appreciation of what makes Hermosa Beach special."

Napolitano currently lives in Manhattan Beach and holds degrees from Loyola Law School and Loyola Marymount University.

If the Council approves his contract as expected on December 9, Napolitano's annual salary will be $270,000. Lowenthal's base salary (excluding bonuses) was $281,376 at the time of her departure. Napolitano has run his staff without the use of a Deputy City Manager, a position that was previously filled by Angela Crespi, who earned $174,000 in base salary in 2024, with a full package that cost taxpayers almost $300,000 annually. The position was eliminated as a cost saving in this year's budget discussions, with Councilmembers Michael Detoy and Raymond Jackson being the only votes to keep the expense.

Assuming that his contract is approved next week, Napolitano's in-tray is already looking full. The City faces questions over the future of its housing element, given pressure from Sacramento to develop more affordable housing and recent challenges in neighboring Redondo. There are budget pressures, with much-needed City Yard development top of a long list of capital projects. Hermosa is also in the glare of regional and national news coverage, following the shocking assault on a man recently by a group of juveniles near the pier.