City Manager Tom Hatch named Itzia Carvajal as the latest to receive the City Manager Leadership Award during the monthly employee Meet and Greet on Thursday Jan. 26.

A Principal Human Resources Analyst, Carvajal joined the City of Costa Mesa as an HR Analyst in 2014 after working in Santa Ana in Parks & Recreation, Community Development, Planning & Building and Personnel Services.

Carvajal oversees the daily functions of the Risk Management Section, which includes administering the City’s Workers’ Compensation Program as well as Benefits Administration Program, where she has worked to streamline and improve the administrative process.

Carvajal, who was promoted to Principal Analyst nearly a year ago, is recognized by her colleagues as a consummate professional and credible resource who possesses a strong work ethic, a high level of customer service and enhanced organizational skills. She has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Sociology from the University of Riverside and in her spare time enjoys camping with her husband.

In addition to Carvajal, Hatch welcomed two new buyers to the Finance Department, Therese Combs and Nina Naranjo as well as Marianna Pena as a new Recreation Coordinator and Maria Urquiza Sanchez as a new Recreation Leader III for Parks and Community Services.

He also congratulated several employees for being promoted, including Lauren Clark, who was promoted from Recreation Leader to Office Specialist in the Finance Department as well as Matthew Schmelzel, who was promoted to Treasury Specialist.

Also honored were Ashley Ocasio who was promoted to Recreation Supervisor as well as Raja Sethuraman, who was promoted to Public Services Director.