Mayor Gloria Appoints Bethany Bezak as City's Chief Operating Officer After 20 Months of Direct Oversight

Mayor Todd Gloria appointed Bethany Bezak as the City of San Diego's Chief Operating Officer on Thursday, moving to fill a role he has handled himself since February 2025 while the city worked through a structural budget deficit.

Bezak, who currently serves as Chief Performance and Logistics Officer overseeing Transportation, General Services, Purchasing and Contracting, and the Get It Done program, would report directly to the mayor if confirmed by the City Council.

Gloria assumed direct oversight of city operations in early 2025 after facing what his office described as a "substantial structural deficit for the second consecutive year." He restructured the organization, appointed new executive leadership and implemented budget reductions that his office now says have "nearly eliminated" the historic deficit.

"We have made substantial progress," Gloria said in a statement. "Bethany's appointment builds on that foundation, with a clear charge to sustain our fiscal discipline, support our employees and improve the services San Diegans rely on."

Bezak has served in the city since 2020, leading the Stormwater Department through successive promotions before taking over the Transportation Department from 2023 to 2025 and moving to her current role in December 2025. She holds degrees in civil engineering and architecture from Lawrence Technological University and a master's in biological systems engineering from Virginia Tech.

Council President Joe LaCava said he would docket the confirmation for Monday's Council meeting and endorsed the pick. "Bethany is an expert in her field, a professional manager, and a consummate public servant," LaCava said.

The Municipal Employees Association and the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council both issued statements supporting the appointment.

"MEA members keep this City running every day, and they need leadership that understands the work and respects the people doing it," said MEA General Manager Mike Zucchet. "We thank Mayor Gloria for stepping in to lead day-to-day operations during a difficult stretch."