City Manager Tom Hatch presented Assistant Recreation Supervisor Christian Hernandez with the City Manager Leadership Award for October at the monthly Meet and Greet Ceremony on Thursday Oct. 25.

“Christian is a great example of how hard work and dedication can propel your career,” City Manager Hatch said. “He started with the city in an entry level position and has consistently progressed through the organization as one of our valued leaders. He’s an outstanding role model for anyone who is considering a career in city government.”

As the assistant recreation supervisor, Hernandez oversees the city’s free, youth sports and fitness program that serve thousands of kids weekly. He also became the staff lead for the reintroduced and revamped Mobile Recreation program.

He was also part of the team that was awarded the Healthy Out-of-School Grant from the Walmart Foundation and also assisted with bringing the Los Angeles Chargers Summer Training Camp to Jack Hammett Sports Complex.

Hernandez was part of the team that worked to subcontract the City’s adult softball league, which has resulted in participation growing to more than 100 active softball teams per season. He serves as the staff representative of the Youth Sports Council, where he meets monthly with representatives from the school district and representatives from every youth sports organization in the city. He was also a major contributor towards updating the City’s outdated and confusing Field Use and Allocation Policy.

Hernandez began his Costa Mesa career in March of 2011 as a part-time recreation leader II and received multiple promotions begore being named to his current role in December of 2016.

Hernandez holds a degree in Sports Psychology and Leadership with a Minor in Recreation from Cal State Long Beach and is currently attending Cal State Long Beach to receive his Master’s in Public Administration.

In addition to Hernandez, City Manager Hatch recognized the following new hires and promotions.

In Development Services, Andy Godinez and Rene Jiminez have been hired as new full-time – Code Enforcement Officers and in the Finance Department, Louis Li is the new Budget Specialist.

In the Parks & Community Services Department, Ashley Armenta Vega is the new Recreation Leader II and Arely Escoto is the new Recreation Leader III, and the Police Department hired Christine Van as a new Communications Officer.

Two promotions announced at the Meet and Greet event included Emmanuel Gutierrez Jacinto who was promoted Recreation Leader III and Bill Nelson to Management Aide.