Catherine Jun Named Deputy City Manager

RANCHO PALOS VERDES — The City of Rancho Palos Verdes July 3 announced the selection of Catherine Jun, an experienced public administrator with 14 years in local government, as deputy city manager. Ms. Jun joins Rancho Palos Verdes from the City of Huntington Beach, where she served as deputy city manager since 2023. She succeeds former deputy city manager Karina Bañales, who left Rancho Palos Verdes in October to become city manager in Rolling Hills. Ms. Jun’s first day at the city is July 8.

“It is a tremendous honor to join the talented team at the City of Rancho Palos Verdes,” she said. “As Deputy City Manager, I look forward to collaborating with staff to continually serve our City Council and community stakeholders in ways that will enhance the quality of life of all residents and visitors, while also building upon our legacy of public service excellence.”

Ms. Jun began her career as a photojournalist at The Arizona Republic, covering everything from the 2008 U.S. Presidential campaign, to major professional sporting events and local human interest stories.

In 2010, she entered the public sector as a policy analyst at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. In 2014, she joined the City of Bellflower as a Management Analyst, overseeing multi-million-dollar public works grants and various housing and economic development projects.

Ms. Jun began her tenure in Huntington Beach as assistant to the city manager at the start of the pandemic, leading the city’s COVID-19 public communication program and community engagement strategies. As deputy city manager, she took on citywide projects involving complex matters such as homelessness, Charter amendments, strategic planning, sustainability, and legislative funding requests.

City manager Ara Mihranian said he is excited to introduce Ms. Jun to City staff and the community.

Ms. Jun holds a Master of Public Policy degree from USC and a Bachelor of Arts degree in American literature and culture from UCLA.