Two Long Beach city departments will soon have new leaders at their helms.
The city announced the new directos for the Public Works, and Parks, Recreation and Marine departments this week. Joshua Hickman, a city employee since 2017, will helm the Public Works Department, while Stephen Scott, who has been with the city since 1999, will take over the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department.
The appointments come a little more than four months after Long Beach announced in late July that the previous department heads would leave the city — with the news of the departures coming a day apart. Brent Dennis, who led the parks department for five years, formally retired in early September; former Public Works Director Eric Lopez also moved to the private sector in September.
Hickman, the new Public Works director, has worked for the department since 2017, according to the city’s announcement. He started as the capital projects coordinator before moving on to other positions, including project management officer, business operations bureau manager and deputy director.
Joshua Hickman, the new director of Long Beach’s Public Works Department. (Photo courtesy city of Long Beach).
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Joshua Hickman, the new director of Long Beach’s Public Works Department. (Photo courtesy city of Long Beach).
Hickman had 20 years of experience in complex project management before coming to Long Beach, the city said, including a $50 million capital expansion at Boston Logan International Airport.
In his new role, Hickman will oversee the Public Works Department’s more than 500 full-time employees and an annual budget of around $450 million. Alongside the department’s usual work — including street, sidewalk, public tree and municipal structure upkeep and repairs — Hickman will lead Public Works’ implementation of the Elevate ’28 Infrastructure Investment Plan.
Elevate ’28 is a massive infrastructure plan with more than $1.1 billion in funding for around 180 projects across the city, ranging from park upgrades to major projects aimed at helping Long Beach get ready for its role as a venue city during the 2028 Olympic Games.
“Under his leadership,” the city said in a press release, “the department will also advance other high-priority initiatives to improve mobility and safety, revamp project communications strategies, upgrade stormwater systems and improve climate resilience.”
Hickman expressed excitement for his new job.
“I am honored to step into this role and continue building a department that listens closely to the community we serve, communicates openly and delivers results,” Hickman said in the release. “I am excited to work with our dedicated staff and partners to serve our incredible Long Beach community.”
Stephen Scott, the new parks director, has worked for the city since 1999 across a variety of positions, the release said. He first joined PRM in 2013 after working as a management assistant, administrative analyst, assistant to the city manager, and bureau manager in various departments.
Stephen Scott, the new director of Long Beach’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Marine. (Photo courtesy city of Long Beach).
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Stephen Scott, the new director of Long Beach’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Marine. (Photo courtesy city of Long Beach).
After he joined PRM, the city said, Scott played a key role in implementing various initiatives, including the Park Ambassador Program, numerous park development projects, and the “Compassion Saves” model for Long Beach Animal Care Services.
Scott also managed PRM’s Community Information Division, the city said, helping to keep residents and other stakeholders up-to-date on important parks-related information.
In his new role, Scott will oversee, more than 1,300 full-time, part-time and seasonal staff, and the department’s approximately $90 million annual budget. His department is responsible for the city’s 166 parks, 26 community centers, two historic sites, two tennis centers, the Long Beach Animal Care Services Bureau, the marina system, various community recreation programs and services, and more.
Scott will also have a hand in the Elevate ’28 initiative, the city said, with several parks-related projects on the docket in the coming years.
“Both (Hickman and Scott) bring many years of city experience, and in turn, a deep understanding of the unique needs of our community, our workforce and the day-to-day operations that keep our city moving and community thriving,” City Manager Tom Modica said. “Their institutional knowledge and longstanding commitment to public service will provide continuity and resilient leadership to some of our most visible and impactful city departments.”
Both new directors will have annual salaries of $263,247, according to city spokesperson Jennifer De Prez. While their start dates have not been finalized, Hickman and Scott are expected to take on their new roles in the coming weeks.