Long Beach is set to say goodbye to its Director of Public Works, Eric Lopez, who will be departing for a new role in Pasadena. The City of Long Beach announced that after nearly two decades of service, Lopez has taken up the position of Senior Vice President at Pacifica Services Inc. His commitment has ushered in a transformative era for Long Beach, catapulting its infrastructure into the modern age.
In his tenure as Public Works Director, Lopez has overseen an ambitious array of projects, guiding the launch of the Elevate ’28 Infrastructure Investment Plan. The initiative, under his leadership, has injected over $1.1 billion into enhancing the city's infrastructure, including parks and community facilities. His last day with the city will be around September 19, 2025. City Manager Tom Modica lauded Lopez, stating, "His commitment to innovation and community-focused solutions across a wide, complex variety of projects has not only strengthened our city but improved the quality of life of our residents."
The breadth of Lopez's influence in Long Beach spans from the restoration of the Colorado Lagoon to the reconstruction of the Artesia Great Boulevard Project. He supervised an array of improvements that touched upon diverse facets of the city's landscape and lifestyle, such as new signature playgrounds and critical repairs to the iconic Queen Mary. Revolving around the goals of sustainability and equity, these achievements represent a tangible legacy left by Lopez's vision and execution.
Bringing nearly 200 positions and avoiding any negative impact on the City's funds, his work has resulted in a streamlined Public Works Department that embraced efficiency and customer service, offering routine services that meld with Long Beach's evolving character. Lopez expressed pride in his team's accomplishments, telling the City of Long Beach, "Together, we haven’t just built infrastructure and provided everyday services, we’ve shaped Long Beach to better serve residents and visitors alike."
With Lopez's exit, Joshua Hickman, Deputy Director, will step into the role of Acting Director as the city scouts for a permanent successor. Reflecting the significance of the position, this national recruitment aims to fill the role with someone capable of upholding Lopez's deep-seated standard of service delivery. Meanwhile, Long Beach continues to thrive, boasting its vibrant neighborhoods and cultural tapestry, enhanced by the very projects that Lopez helped to bring about.
