Several key city employees are beginning the new year in new positions. Beverly Hills City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey announced a number of promotions this week, beginning with the appointment of Keith Sterling as Deputy City Manager. Sterling has served the city as Chief Communications Officer since 2021. He will join Hunt-Coffey and Assistant City Manager Ryan Gohlich in the City Manager’s Office.
Sterling will report to Hunt-Coffey. His responsibilities will include the implementation of Mayoral and City Council initiatives. He will continue to oversee city communications, along with marketing and economic sustainability. He will also liaise with the City Clerk in the preparation of staff reports for City Council meetings and manage the Team Beverly Hills program.
A former television news anchor, Sterling holds a degree in journalism from the Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College. Prior to joining the city in 2018, he served as the primary media spokesperson for high-profile public agencies for 15 years.
“I am thrilled to welcome Keith to this critical role,” said Hunt-Coffey. “Since joining the City, he has led our communications program through tremendous growth and success and I know his diverse skill set will continue to benefit the city organization and the Beverly Hills community for years to come.”
Sterling told the Courier that he is “deeply grateful for the incredible opportunity to serve Beverly Hills as Deputy City Manager.” “My work with Mayor Bosse and the City Council is extremely rewarding and I look forward to supporting Nancy and Ryan as we carry out the vision of the City Council,” he added.
In addition to Sterling’s new role, Hunt-Coffey has announced that current Deputy City Manager Gabriella Yap will transition to the role of Senior Policy and Management Administrator, Public Safety. Yap will support the Beverly Hills Fire Department with programs and initiatives while continuing to oversee budgeting, municipal affairs and legislation in the City Manager’s Office.
Garin Hussenjian has been named Deputy Director Special Projects, Public Safety. Hussenjian will support the Beverly Hills Police Department while also supervising the Office of Emergency Management. Yap and Hussenjian will both report directly to Hunt-Coffey.
Additionally, Public Information Coordinator Lauren Santillana is the city’s new Public Information Manager. She will assume the important role as the city’s lead Public Information Officer.
“Working alongside Keith Sterling for the past three years has been an incredible honor and while no one can fill those shoes, I look forward to bringing the Beverly Hills vision to life every day and keeping our amazing community informed. I am incredibly grateful to Mayor Bosse, the City Council and City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey for entrusting me in this new role,” Santillana told the Courier.
