Coolidge City Council Appoints Gilbert Lopez as New City Manager

 

 

Date: August 15, 2024

Coolidge City Council Appoints Gilbert Lopez as its 17th City Manager

COOLIDGE, ARIZONA – The Coolidge City Council announced the appointment of Gilbert Lopez as its 17th City Manager during the August 12, 2024 Council Meeting. With an extensive background in economic development, urban planning, and public service, Lopez brings over 38 years of experience in municipal government to his new role.

Lopez has served as the Economic Development and Development Services Director for the City of Coolidge since 2016, where he has been instrumental in driving the city’s growth and development. In this capacity, Lopez has overseen key areas such as planning, building safety, and code enforcement, and has played a critical role in attracting major companies like Nikola and Procter & Gamble to Coolidge. His leadership has not only boosted the local economy but also streamlined the city's development permitting process, ensuring efficient project execution.

Before joining the City of Coolidge, Lopez had a distinguished 26-year career with the City of Glendale, Arizona, where he served as the Revitalization Administrator. In this role, he managed federal grant programs and led initiatives to build new housing, roadway infrastructure, and fund social services for Glendale’s low-to-moderate-income residents. His ability to foster partnerships with non-profit organizations like Habitat for Humanity and private developers was key to creating affordable housing solutions and revitalizing neighborhoods. Prior to joining the City of Glendale, Lopez served in positions at the City of Chandler for engineering and planning and Pinal County as their Chief Deputy Zoning Inspector.

Lopez’s contributions to public service extend beyond his professional roles. He was a Coolidge Councilmember for 18 years, serving as Vice Mayor for eight of those years. His leadership was recognized on a national level when he chaired the National League of Cities’ Community and Economic Development Policy and Advocacy Committee in 2011. Additionally, Lopez served on the League of Arizona Cities and Towns Executive Committee for over 11 years, where he advocated for Coolidge and municipal interests across the state.

Lopez holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Benedictine University in Mesa and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with concentrations in Finance and Marketing. His educational background, combined with his vast experience, uniquely positions him to lead Coolidge as it continues to grow and prosper.

"I am truly honored to step into the role of City Manager for Coolidge," said Lopez. "As someone who grew up here and has served our community in various capacities over the years, I am thrilled to have the chance to build on our achievements and work towards serving the needs of our community.”

Lopez will assume his role upon current City Manager, Rick Miller’s retirement on August 23, 2024.