Donna Gayden resigns as Long Beach city manager

Donna Gayden, who has been Long Beach's city manager through almost three tumultuous years, has unexpectedly resigned her position effective immedialy, the city announced Tuesday night.

Gayden's contract was to continue until Dec. 31, 2023, but City Spokesman John McNally said Gayden and the city agreed "it was time."

She will be temporarily replaced by Police Commissioner Ron Walsh until a permanent replacement is found. Walsh will hold both positions until then.

Gayden, who came to the city in Feb. 2020, saw Long Beach through the worst of the covid crises, the settlement of a multimillion dollar lawsuit by a developer, and also helped start restore the city to fiscal stability.

Gayden was not present at Tuesday night's meeting.

"I'm the one who found Donna and convinced her to come here," Council member John Bendo said. "That's probably the best decision I have ever made in my time on this council."

James Hodge, a community leader, said "I want to thank Donna for serving the city. It's not an easy job."

McNally said a search would begin immediately.