Long Beach Parks & Rec Chief Chapjian Exits To Take Broader Position With Santa Barbara County

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(May 5, 2015) -- Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Director George Chapjian is leaving to head Santa Barbara County's Community Services Dept. The action was announced in a Santa Barbara County release (salient text below): .

[Santa Barbara County release text] -- On May 5, 2015, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors appointed George Chapjian as Director of the Community Services Department (CSD)...
...As the CSD director, Mr. Chapjian will oversee parks, affordable housing, library funding, the Arts Commission, and energy incentive programs...
..."We are excited that someone with Mr. Chapjian’s experience in parks and community development will be joining us. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge and is well suited to continue to develop the department to meet the unique needs of our diverse communities," said Chair of the Board of Supervisors, Janet Wolf...
The [Santa Barbara County] Community Services Department was formed three years ago, consolidating the Parks Department and Housing and Community Development Department into one organization to promote collaboration among various functions and improve operational efficiency. The prior director left the organization in 2014 for a position with the City of San Diego..."
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A City of LB release says Mr. Chapjian's last day here will be June 26; Santa Barbara County's release says he begins work up there on June 29.

The City of LB's release says the City [city management] "will conduct a nationwide search for Mr. Chapjian’s successor, considering both internal and external candidates who choose to apply. Upon Mr. Chapjian’s departure, the City Manager will appoint an Interim Director to lead PRM until the selection process is complete."

LB Parks, Recreation and Marine operates 160 parks with 26 community centers, two major tennis centers, a municipal golf system with five courses and the largest municipally operated marina system in the country with 3,500 boat slips and 6 miles of beaches.