Faulconer to reshuffle leadership team as internal operations COO departs

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Mayor Kevin Faulconer announced this week a reshuffling of his executive leadership team, prompted by the upcoming departure of Jeff Sturak, deputy chief operating officer for internal operations.

Sturak is leaving May 30 to pursue other opportunities, according to the mayor’s office. He previously worked for the city’s independent budget analyst and was on the staff of ex-Mayor Bob Filner.

Ron Villa, currently the deputy chief operating officer for neighborhood services and a 28-year veteran of city employment, will slide into Sturak’s role.

Jeff Graham, a former mayoral aide who is now chief of staff for Councilman Mark Kersey, will assume Villa’s position, according to Faulconer.

“Ron Villa’s experience with the city of San Diego provides him with the institutional knowledge necessary to succeed in his new position and ensure all city departments are performing efficiently and effectively,” Faulconer said. “David Graham’s background and passion for land-use issues, economic development and civic engagement make him an ideal choice to lead the city’s neighborhood services branch.”

Faulconer said Chief Operating Officer Scott Chadwick made the changes with his backing.

In a reorganization instituted by then-Interim Mayor Todd Gloria last fall, the city has one chief operating officer and an assistant chief operating officer, Stacey LoMedico.

Under them are the three deputy chief operating officers who oversee specific areas of city operations. After internal operations and neighborhood services, the third area is infrastructure and public works, supervised by Tony Heinrichs.