Philip A. Hawkey Named Executive Director of San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments

– Courtesy Photo

The Governing Board of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) has approved the hiring of Philip A. Hawkey as executive director, effective Oct. 1, Gene Murabito, president of the SGVCOG, announced.

Hawkey, executive vice president emeritus for the University of La Verne and former city manager of Pasadena, will manage the SGVCOG under a two-year contract with Kelly and Associates approved on Sept. 17.

He replaces Fran Delach, who has served as interim executive director since February, when Andrea Miller left to become city manager of Covina.

“We’re extremely fortunate to have a professional of Phil Hawkey’s caliber and experience as we expand our leadership on regional issues, such as transportation, water and housing,” said Murabito, mayor pro tem of the city of Glendora. “Under the direction of Andrea, Fran and our governing board, the COG has accomplished so much in the past three years, including development of a comprehensive strategic plan, improved financial stability and a renewed commitment to the Alameda Corridor-East Construction Authority (ACE). Phil is ideally suited to build on all of this.”

The SGVCOG is a joint powers authority of 31 cities, several unincorporated communities and three water districts. It is the largest and most diverse sub-regional council of governments in Los Angeles County, encompassing more than 374 square miles and representing more than two million residents. In 1998, the SGVCOG founded the ACE to mitigate the impacts of significant increases in rail traffic over 70 miles of mainline railroad in the San Gabriel Valley.

“I am thrilled to join the SGVCOG team and to have the opportunity to work closely with Gene and the governing board on issues that are critical to the well-being and quality of life in the San Gabriel Valley,” Hawkey said.

Hawkey retired this past summer from the University of La Verne, where he served as executive vice president, special assistant to the president and, from 2012-2013, interim dean of the university’s college of law. He continues to teach graduate classes in public administration as an assistant professor.

Before joining the University, Hawkey was city manager of Pasadena from 1990 to 1998. A native of Ohio, he served as city manager of Toledo from 1986 to 1990 and deputy city manager of Cincinnati from 1982 to 1986. Before then, he served as city administrator in Wooster, Ohio from 1976 to 1979 and city manager in Kettering, Ohio from 1979 to 1982.

Hawkey earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, a master’s degree in public administration from Ohio State University and a law degree from Cleveland State University.

He currently sits on the board of directors of the Rose Bowl Operating Company and is a member of Pasadena Rotary.

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