Assistant City Manager Takes on New Role

New Public Works Director Named

JANUARY 4, 2007 – IRVINE, California – Irvine City Manager Sean Joyce announced today that Assistant City Manager and CEO of the Orange County Great Park, Wally Kreutzen, will assume new duties with the City of Irvine as Assistant City Manager - Capital Projects, while Director of Public Works, Marty Bryant, will assume responsibility as Chief Executive Officer of the Orange County Great Park. Pending ratification by the Orange County Great Park Board of Directors, the moves will take effect January 29.

“Wally has the proven skills needed during a time that the City is developing many important capital projects,” said Joyce. “As the Great Park project moves from design to construction, this is an opportune time to take advantage of the strengths of both individuals by moving Wally to focus much-needed attention on vital City projects and for Marty to bring his expertise to Orange County’s most significant public works project.”

For the past two years, Kreutzen managed the Orange County Great Park project to the cusp of development. This included creating the organizational structure of the corporation, creating budgets, managing the selection of the Great Park master designer, overseeing the public outreach program and working with private corporations to ensure the feasibility of the plan. Part of his new responsibilities will be the creation of a comprehensive inventory of outstanding capital facilities projects and working with staff to establish design and construction budgets, prioritize projects for policy direction, and identify and secure alternatives for financing. These tasks require comprehensive administrative and financial oversight.

Marty Bryant brings the skills and management experience now required by the Park project as the development of critical infrastructure begins. Bryant has been with the City for more than 20 years, working on major development and public works projects as the City has developed.

Replacing Bryant as Director of Public Works is Deputy Director Manuel Gomez. Gomez has been with the City nearly 10 years, and has spent time with the City of Santa Ana as well, working in transportation, public works and as Assistant to the City Manager.

The City of Irvine has a population of 195,000, spans 65 square miles and is recognized as one of America’s safest and most successful master-planned urban communities. Top-rated educational institutions, an enterprising business atmosphere, sound environmental stewardship, and respect for diversity all contribute to Irvine’s enviable quality of life. This family-friendly city features more than 16,000 acres of parks, sports fields and dedicated open space and is the future home of the Orange County Great Park – the first great metropolitan park of the 21st century. For more information, please visit www.cityofirvine.org.

Press Contacts:
Judy Pal
Communications Manager
City of Irvine
(949) 724-6077