Manhattan Beach Appoints Masa Alkire as New Community Development Director

PRESS RELEASE: Manhattan Beach Appoints Masa Alkire As New Community Development Director (PDF)

OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS Alexandria Latragna, Communications and Civic Engagement Manager [email protected] • (310) 802-5063

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MANHATTAN BEACH APPOINTS MASA ALKIRE AS NEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Manhattan Beach, CA (September 8, 2025) - The City of Manhattan Beach is pleased to announce the appointment of Masa Alkire, AICP, as its new Community Development Director, effective today. Mr. Alkire brings 25 years of extensive experience in urban planning and community development to his new role, having served in various leadership capacities for municipalities across Southern California and beyond.

Most recently, Mr. Alkire served as Assistant Director and City Planner for the City of Beverly Hills, where he managed a planning division of 20 staff and played a key role in the certification of the City's six cycle Housing Element. His impressive career also includes significant project management experience for large-scale developments, such as the 1.3 million square-foot One Beverly Hills Overlay Specific Plan and the 3.5 million square-foot Raytheon Specific Plan/Development Agreement project in El Segundo.

"We are thrilled to welcome Masa Alkire to the City of Manhattan Beach," said City Manager Talyn Mirzakhanian. "His management of significant development projects, and his commitment to collaborative problem-solving make him an invaluable asset to our team and our community. We are confident that his leadership will advance our planning goals and environmental sustainability efforts while preserving our cherished small-town character."

Mr. Alkire's expertise extends to navigating California's evolving land use legislation, comprehensive zoning code updates, and Local Coastal Program development. He holds a Master of Arts in Community and Regional Planning from the University of British Columbia and is an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) professional.

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