City Manager Names New Director of Community, Cultural Services

A press release from the City of Santa Monica

CITY MANAGER NAMES DIRECTOR of COMMUNITY and CULTURAL SERVICES

Karen Ginsberg Takes the Helm.

Karen Ginsberg, currently Assistant Director of Community & Cultural Services (CCS) has been named Santa Monica’s next Director of the department. City Manager Rod Gould announced the appointment with enthusiasm.  “Karen has a proven track record in overseeing community services and in realizing improvements to the city’s parks, open spaces and public facilities. Her clear, strategic thinking has served the department well in budget matters, team management and creative problem-solving. Under Karen’s steady hand, the strength and competence of the current CCS management team will ensure a continued excellence in service to the community,” said Gould.

As Assistant Director, Karen has been intimately involved in all aspects of CCS services including recreation activities, classes and culture, human services, landscape maintenance, and open space.  In her 12-year tenure as the assistant director of CCS, Ginsberg has overseen the expansion of Virginia Avenue Park and the development of both Euclid and Airport Parks—Santa Monica’s first two new parks in 24 years. Karen also spearheaded the complex state and local regulatory review process for the Annenberg Community Beach House. Her expertise in community outreach and understanding of the City’s Landmarks Ordinance was instrumental in gaining approvals for Palisades Garden Walk and Town Square.

She has played a major role in managing the CCS budget and the CCS capital improvement program. She also facilitated completion of an agreement with the School District to provide a funding stream totaling $56 million for recreational improvements on the SAMOHI campus that will make these important facilities available to the broader community during non-school hours. Prior to her appointment as Assistant Director, Ginsberg was Planning Manager for the Santa Monica Planning Department from 1994-1999. She also worked for the Los Angeles City Community Redevelopment Agency in a planner capacity.

“It is an honor to lead CCS and continue its tradition of excellent service to City residents and the broader public. I am grateful for this opportunity to serve in this capacity, with the exceptionally talented staff of the department,” said Ginsberg.

Ginsberg received a Masters of Science in Historic Preservation from Columbia University in New York City. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York.

Barbara Stinchfield the current CCS Director announced on October 28 that she will be retiring from the City of Santa Monica effective December 29, 2011. An internal rigorous recruitment process was undertaken during the month of December.

Ginsberg takes the helm as the city begins construction of two new parks in the heart of the Civic Center, among other program and infrastructure improvements. As Director of Community and Cultural Services, Ginsberg will receive a salary of $186,300. 

With an operating budget of $47 million and approximately 400 full- and part-time employees, CCS oversees the administration, planning, management and operations of the city’s open space, recreational facilities, culture and arts programs, human services, funding for nonprofit grant programs, and public landscape.