Long Beach, City of Opportunity
EPTCLB Program and Luncheon
The Grand Event Center 4101 E Willow St 90815
“Long Beach, City of Opportunity”
John Keisler
The City of Long Beach strives to become the city of opportunity for workers, investors, and entrepreneurs.
In response to the generational changes in the world economy, cities around the world must play a different role in the lives of residents. Economic Development Director John Keisler will provide an overview of the City's 10-year plan for economic development and discuss how the Mayor and City Council intend to remain competitive in the new economy through strategic investments for workers, investors, and entrepreneurs.
John P. Keisler, Economic & Property Development Director, City of Long Beach
John Keisler is the Economic & Property Development Director for the City of Long Beach. The mission of department is to increase economic opportunities for entrepreneurs, workers, and investors in the City of Long Beach through workforce, business, and property development programs.
After completing bachelor degrees in Philosophy and Religion at St. Olaf College, he joined Teach For America, teaching middle school literacy and civics in Newark, NJ. To address the chronic community challenges facing his students, he turned to a career in city management, working with the League of California Cities and completing his MPA at the USC Price School of Public Policy.
In 2005, John was hired as a Management Assistant by the City of Long Beach, and rotated through four departments. Over the next decade, he led multiple change-management projects throughout the City, serving as the Animal Care Services Bureau Manager, Business Operations Manager for the Parks, Recreation & Marine Department, CFO for the Police Department, and the City’s first Innovation Team Director.
John lives in Long Beach with his beautiful wife Laura and his two sons Christopher (7) and Benjamin (10), where he serves on a number of civic boards and coaches youth sports.
Thank you to our Speaker Sponsor
