Last night, the City Council unanimously voted to hire Bryan Cook as the new City Manager.
Cook, 42, currently serves as assistant city manager/finance director for South Gate, a full-service city of 90,000 people located southeast of downtown Los Angeles. He has over 15 years of municipal experience including capacities as assistant to the city manager and interim parks and recreation director.
During his tenure in South Gate, Cook was instrumental in boosting the municipality’s credit rating from BB to A-, and taking the General Fund reserve from a deficit to over $10 million. He also directed financing of the community’s largest commercial project in over 25 years—a project approved, financed and constructed in the post-redevelopment era—and co-managed the city’s award-winning General Plan update.
“Bryan was among 35 applicants who clearly stood out as the next generation of city managers who offer fresh and creative approaches to leading municipalities and the communities they serve,” Mayor Carl Blum said. “The City Council is thrilled to have attracted someone of Bryan’s caliber.”
Cook assumes Temple City’s top administrator post on Sept. 15 earning $185,000 annually. He succeeds retired city manager Don Penman who has served in an interim capacity since Mar. 5.
“I am honored and very excited to have the opportunity to serve the City Council, city staff and the community of Temple City,” said Cook. “I look forward to being of service and assisting in facilitating growth with this dynamic and great city for many more years to come.”
Cook holds a master’s degree in public administration from California State University, East Bay and a bachelor’s degree in political science from California State University, Los Angeles. He and his wife live in Pasadena with their seven-year-old son.