Culver City’s Longest-Serving City Manager Announces December Retirement

Culver City City Manager John Nachbar has announced his plans to retire at the end of this year, ending what has been the longest tenure for a city manager in Culver City’s history. The announcement comes as Nachbar approaches his 70th birthday, which he described as “pretty old in City Manager years.”

“This is a culmination of my career, and my own personal planning,” Nachbar stated when asked about his decision. By announcing his retirement in April for a December departure, he has provided the Culver City Council with ample time to search for his replacement.

For Inglewood residents, the leadership change in neighboring Culver City could have implications for regional collaboration on issues affecting both communities, including transportation, economic development, and housing initiatives that cross municipal boundaries.

Nachbar’s career has been marked by extensive experience in municipal government. Before taking the helm in Culver City, he served the city of Overland Park in Kansas, and previously worked in Albany and Patterson, California, as well as Assistant City Manager in Tucson, Arizona.

During his tenure, Nachbar has guided Culver City through numerous challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected municipalities throughout the Los Angeles region, including Inglewood. His leadership style and approach to city management have been influential in the area, with Culver City often participating in regional planning efforts alongside Inglewood and other neighboring communities.

Culver City’s city manager position itself has an interesting history. The city’s first City Manager, Jerry Fulwood, served from 1999 to 2003, after starting as the Chief Administrative Officer. A restructuring of city government changed his status and the power of the office. The first City Manager hired under the new title was Mark Scott, who held the position for only a year before returning to his hometown of Fresno to become their city manager.

As both Culver City and Inglewood continue to evolve in the rapidly changing landscape of Los Angeles County, the selection of Nachbar’s successor could influence regional approaches to shared challenges such as transportation connectivity, affordable housing, and economic development.