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The Face of Los Angeles’ Public Services

Published by Aubrey Hicks on

by Justine Dodgen

Doane LiuDoane Liu, Deputy Mayor of the City of Los Angeles, is no stranger to local government. Liu, the first deputy mayor appointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti of the four in his administration, oversees 15 city departments that directly impact our neighborhoods, including Water and Power, Transportation, Public Works and Recreation & Parks.

On December 9, the Bedrosian Center will host Deputy Mayor Liu to discuss his experiences at city hall for our final Lunch with a Leader event of the fall semester. Liu is involved in many of the mayor’s office’s current initiatives, including a plan to encourage infrastructure investment in the city.

Liu started his job as Deputy Mayor of City Services in July 2013, in a new position created to focus on constituent services, but this isn’t his first time at city hall. He served as a deputy mayor under Mayor James Hahn during his term from 2001-2005. Mayor Hahn praised his accomplishments in this role, where he executed the City of LA’s first outcome-based budgeting model, holding managers accountable for measurable results, and achieved four years of balanced budgets, no layoffs, and no tax increases.

In addition to overseeing services that are often the public’s only interactions with local government, such as libraries, parks, and utilities, Liu also has opportunities to represent LA’s more creative side. Earlier this year, he helped unveil the winners of the city-wide competition to design the artwork for the new TAP smart cards.

Prior to being appointed to a position in Mayor Garcetti’s administration, Liu was Chief of Staff for LA’s District 15 Councilmember, supporting first Janice Hahn and later Joe Buscaino. He also served as District Director for Congressmember Jane Harman.

Liu sits on the LA Regional Food Bank Advisory Board and Board of Directors for the LA Neighborhood Initiative. Liu is a longtime Angeleno and earned his MBA at the USC Marshall School.

Seats for the Bedrosian Center’s Lunch with a Leader event are limited. For more information, email Donnajean Ward or call (213) 740-0155.

Bedrosian Center