Mayor Gloria Appoints Bethany Bezak As City Of San Diego’s Chief Operating Officer

The appointment marks the next step in Mayor Gloria's work to strengthen City finances, improve accountability and deliver reliable services to San Diegans.

"Bethany shares my administration's vision and values and has a proven ability to turn priorities into results," said Mayor Todd Gloria. "She leads with respect for our employees, demands accountability, and understands that San Diegans deserve responsive, dependable service from their city government. She is ready to build on the progress we have made and lead our organization forward."

Mayor Gloria assumed direct oversight of City operations in February 2025 to address significant financial and operational challenges. Facing a substantial structural deficit for the second consecutive year, he restructured the organization, appointed new executive leadership, and strengthened accountability while implementing difficult, but necessary budget reductions. Those actions have placed the City on stronger financial footing, with its historic structural deficit nearly eliminated.

"When I assumed direct oversight of City operations, my priority was to stabilize our finances and strengthen the organization," added Mayor Gloria. "We have made substantial progress. Bethany's appointment builds on that foundation, with a clear charge to sustain our fiscal discipline, support our employees and improve the services San Diegans rely on."

Bezak has served as Chief Performance and Logistics Officer since December 2025, overseeing Transportation, General Services, Purchasing and Contracting, and Performance and Data Analytics. Her portfolio includes streets and sidewalks, City facilities and fleet, contracting, and the Get It Done program.

Previously, Bezak led the Transportation Department and its approximately 550 employees from 2023 to 2025. From 2020 to 2023, she served in successive leadership roles in the Stormwater Department, advancing from Assistant Deputy Director to Deputy Director and then Director. Across these assignments, she managed complex, citywide programs focused on infrastructure, resilience and service delivery.

"Every day, thousands of City employees show up before sunrise and dedicate themselves to serving our residents. As Chief Operating Officer, my commitment is to support them, remove barriers to success, and ensure we deliver the high-quality services our communities deserve," said Bethany Bezak. "Continuing to work alongside Mayor Gloria and this leadership team will be the greatest privilege of my career."

Throughout her career, Bezak has worked in both the public and private sectors to build and improve public infrastructure. Bezak holds bachelor's degrees in Civil Engineering and Architecture from Lawrence Technological University and a master's degree in biological systems engineering from Virginia Tech.

"I support the Mayor's nomination of Bethany Bezak for Chief Operating Officer of the City of San Diego and will docket her confirmation for this Monday's City Council meeting," said Council President Joe LaCava. "Bethany is an expert in her field, a professional manager, and a consummate public servant. She leads with a steady hand, a focus on exceeding expectations, and the candor we need during challenging times. I look forward to a strong and communicative partnership with our next COO."

"MEA members keep this City running every day, and they need leadership that understands the work and respects the people doing it. We thank Mayor Gloria for stepping in to lead day-to-day operations during a difficult stretch, and we support his decision to appoint Bethany Bezak as Chief Operating Officer" said Mike Zucchet, General Manager of the Municipal Employees Association. "Bethany knows what our members face in the field every day, and she has a track record of solving problems with employees, not around them. We look forward to working with her and the Mayor and urge the Council to unanimously support her confirmation."

"Working families count on City services that work and on the public employees who deliver them," said Brigette Browning, President of the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council. "I'm grateful to Mayor Gloria for taking on the role of COO to help address the budget deficit, and his appointment of Bethany Bezak builds on that work. Bethany is a proven leader who has managed large public workforces with respect and delivered real improvements in neighborhoods that have waited too long for them. This is a good decision for workers in San Diego and the communities they serve."

Mayor Gloria is requesting City Council consideration of Bezak's appointment on Monday, October 19, 2026, pursuant to Article XV, Section 265(7) of the San Diego City Charter.