Fire Chief, City Engineer to Retire

Come December, Redondo Beach Fire Chief Dan Madrigal and Engineering and Building Services Director Steve Huang will retire from city service, City Manager Bill Workman announced at Tuesday's city council meeting.

"Both of these city department heads have served with distinction, dedicating their professional careers to improving the quality of life for Redondo Beach residents and businesses," Workman said in a news release given to reporters shortly after. "They have been genuine leaders during a time of achievement and challenge for local government."

Madrigal was named a division chief with the in 2002 after serving in both the Stanton and Huntington Beach fire departments, and was promoted to fire chief in 2005, according to the news release. Under Madrigal's watch, the fire department earned a Class II fire suppression rating, which only 1 percent of departments in the United States have obtained.

Huang joined city staff in 1995 as a civil engineer and was promoted to city engineer and chief building official a year later with the creation of the Department of Engineering and Building Services.

"In his 16 years of service as director, Huang has been responsible for numerous signature capital improvement projects," the city said in the release.

Additionally, Huang has served as the official interpreter between Redondo Beach and its Chinese sister city.

"I will miss (Madrigal and Huang) personally and professionally, as I counted on them every day to do the right things for our community," Workman said.