With the  departure of Public Services Director Ernesto Munoz, CEO Tom Hatch has brought aboard public services veteran James G. Ross as the interim director.

Ross, who started working with the city on Monday June 13, has supported municipalities and public agencies at an executive management level for the past 34 years, specializing in public works and water departments.

He has managed staffs of more than 400 people and oversaw capital improvement program budgets of $200 million. He has served on the board of directors and has been president of the Public Works Institute for the League of California Cities.

Ross has previously been the Executive Director of Public Works for the City of Santa Ana, the Principal Projects Manager of the city of Irvine, Associate Engineer for the City of Costa Mesa and engineer jobs for the Port and City of Los Angeles.