Who Will Fill City Manager's Shoes In Laguna Beach

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Laguna Beach's longtime city manager, John Pietig, will step down from his position in the coming months. Current Assistant City Manager Shohreh Dupuis considers that she would be the right woman for the job.

"I have a passion for public service and am committed to the continued successful delivery of city service,s projects, and programs," she said in a recent email to the Laguna Beach Independent.

Dupuis expressed that her goal is to work as City Manager. She has 30 years of experience in working for municipal governments, she says.

"I would welcome the opportunity to continue serving the people of our beautiful town in a new role as City Manager," she writes.

If appointed by the Laguna Beach City Council, she would become the first woman to work as City Manager in Laguna Beach. According to the Independent, only three people have held City Manager's job in Laguna in the past 41 years.

Two summers ago, Pietig suggested that she would be a contender for his replacement. At that time, he stated that "it helps to have worked here and gained experience" on the city's unique geography, as well as public safety entities.

Pietig worked as Assistant City Manager before he was appointed as Former City Manager Ken Frank's replacement. Before that time, he also worked at the City of Riverside for 10 years, followed by two years with the City of Alhambra, before accepting a position with Laguna Beach. Pietig will retire at a date to be determined in June 2021.

Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen has said that Dupuis could be the woman for the job and is a "strong candidate."

"Laguna Beach has benefitted tremendously from John's years of experience, his technical expertise, his work ethic, his understanding of our community, and his steady hand in challenging times," said Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen. "John also is an excellent judge of talent. While he will be missed greatly, he will leave behind a motivated and experienced group of professionals who will keep us moving forward."

The city of Laguna Beach may conduct a national search to fill Pietig's position, and no current job search is currently underway on the city website.

Read also: Laguna Beach City Manager Announces Retirement.