Katie Lichtig

Katie Lichtig, San Luis Obispo’s city manager since 2009, will be leaving this fall to join former Ventura City Manager Rick Cole in Santa Monica, the city where she started her career in 1992.

Lichtig finished first in a national search for a chief operating officer for Santa Monica, which boasts one of the fastest growing technology sectors in Southern California. A statement said the city has a budget of almost $775 million and 2,300 full time staff. Lichtig started her career in municipal government when she joined Santa Monica as a senior management analyst 25 years ago.

She leaves behind a city that has seen major infrastructure investments, its own successful emergence as a technology center, a thriving downtown and new housing developments on the horizon. The city has been laying the groundwork for the closing of the nearby Diablo Canyon power station after 2025.

“I have cherished my time serving the San Luis Obispo community,” she said in a statement. “Together we have solved the problems of today, envisioned a bright future and created life-long friendships.”

Her last day on the job in SLO will be Sept. 28, the statement said.

“Katie has made countless contributions to our city during her time as our city manager,” said Mayor Heidi Harmon in the statement.