City Manager Tom Hatch presented IT Network Administrator Lloyd Swanson with this month’s City Manager Leadership Award at the Meet and Greet employee get together on Thursday Aug. 24.

“Lloyd has a critical job when it comes to supporting the technology needs of City Hall staff,” Hatch said. “I admire him for his knowledge, patience and problem-solving abilities. His commitment to doing excellent work makes him a great role model for all of us here and this is just an opportunity to thank and honor him for his dedication.”

Swanson joined the City of Costa Mesa in December of 2000 as an Information System Specialist and was assigned to the Police Department until June 30, 2003, when he moved to City Hall.

In May of 2005, his title was changed to Network Administrator.

Swanson excels in customer service and genuinely loves helping users with any problems.

At one point, Lloyd was single handedly supporting both the City and the Public safety system, which included being on call 24/7 for six months.

Prior to working in Costa Mesa, Swanson was hired by the Newport Beach Police Department in 1993 as a part-time Parking Control Officer. His IT career began later in 1997 as he started taking information technology courses at Coastline Community College.

With that technical knowledge, he was later transferred to the IT Department of the Newport Beach PD.

Swanson graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration (Urban and Regional Planning) from USC.

In addition to Swanson, Hatch honored several newly hired and promoted employees as well as one who is retiring.

In the new hire area, Hatch welcomed Eric Arellano, who is an intern in the City Manager’s Office, Parks & Community Services employees Amanda Fenner a new Recreation Leader IV,  Vanessa Orellana a Recreation Leader II and Alexander Schmitten Recreation Leader III.

From the Police Department he welcomed new Animal Control Officer Amanda Clover and new Crime Scene Specialist Robert Rueda as well as Michael Sampson a new Associate Engineer with Public Services. He also honored Parks & Community Services employee Allison Burch for her promotion to Administrative Secretary.

Finally, Hatch took a special mention to bid farewell to his outgoing Executive Administrator Kelly Shelton, who is retiring on Aug. 31.

“I love Kelly and I am going to miss her very much,” Hatch said.