Maintenance Supervisor Juan Santos receives City Manager Leadership Award

City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison presented Maintenance Supervisor Juan Santos with the City Manager Leadership Award for the month of April at the monthly employee Meet and Greet event.

“Juan is an exemplary member of our Public Services team,” Farrell Harrison said. “Whether it’s nights, weekends or holidays, he consistently mobilizes his team and the resources at his disposal to assist or address any situation within the City, regardless of whether it is a street, tree, or traffic issue; and does so with a positive attitude that resonates with his team and colleagues. I’m pleased to be able to honor Juan for his hard work and dedication to our community.”

As Maintenance Supervisor, he currently oversees the City’s street and sidewalk maintenance, street sweeping, street signs and markings, storm drains and graffiti abatement sections.

Santos exemplifies “Public Service” and “Team Work” in his everyday demeanor.  From assisting with Snoopy House, Earth Day and other special events to his response to daily maintenance issues and emergency situations during wind and rain events, he is always willing and eager to assist in any way he can. When asked to tackle a new project, his usual response, without hesitation, is “we can do that” or “we will take care of that.”

Santos left the City of Long Beach Gas Department to join the City of Costa Mesa in 2001.

He started as a part-time General Aide in Facilities and subsequently hired full time as a Maintenance Worker in 2007, assigned to the Street Section of the Division.

Santos was quickly promoted to Senior Maintenance worker a few months later.  Santos was promoted to Lead Maintenance Worker in 2009 and to Maintenance Supervisor of the Street Maintenance Section in 2018.

Public Service runs in his family.  Alexa, his wife of 34 years, has worked for the City of Garden Grove almost as long as they have been married.  His oldest daughter, Jackie, works for the Orange County Sanitation District and his middle daughter, Olivia, works for Riverside County Police and Fire Dispatch.