(Sept. 24, 2007) -- On his first day as LB's City Manager, Pat West has moved Christine Andersen from Public Works Director -- where she headed one of the largest departments in the city that included LB Airport -- to the position of LB Airport Manager where (in another change) Mr. West is making the position directly answerable to him.

In a release, City Manager West said he was "taking this opportunity to elevate the position of Airport Manager so that it reports directly to the City Manager." (The Airport Manager previously answered to the Public Works Director who answered to the City Manager.)

>The City Manager's release said Ms. Andersen's new Airport Manager position is "[d]ue to the important issues surrounding the Airport’s improvement projects...Ms. Andersen’s in-depth experience in environmental services, civil engineering, and airport management will ensure that she can provide the leadership needed to successfully guide the Airport through the process."

The release didn't indicate who will become City Hall's new head of the Dept. of Public Works.

Ms. Andersen was named LB's Public Works Director in Sept. 2003 by then-City Manager Jerry Miller. She'd previously served as Deputy City Manager for Environmental Services and Acting City Manager in Boulder CO and Dir. of Public Works in Eugene, OR. At the time, a release indicated that in her Colorado post, Ms. Andersen was responsible for all public works, parks and open space, fleet management, water, wastewater and storm water management functions. In Oregon, she oversaw a full service public works agency, water treatment plant and managed acquisition and restoration of a 2,000 acre wetlands improvement project...where she was responsible for coordinating a variety of federal, state and local agencies and interests.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois, completed post-graduate work in Civil Engineering at the University of Vermont and is a registered professional engineer in Oregon and Colorado.

In two other management changes, City Manager West said Michael Conway, Community Development’s Property Services Bureau Manager will serve as the Acting Director of Community Development and Acting Executive Director of the Redevelopment Agency. (The position was vacated when Mr. West became City Manager.)

City Manager West also said Lori Ann Farrell, LB's City Controller, will serve as Acting Financial Management Director. (The position was vacated when Mike Killebrew left LB City Hall for a position with Dana Point City Hall).