ABOUT BUD OVROM
Robert R. ‘Bud’ Ovrom: Clear Thinking. Tangible Results.
Over 27 Years In City Management
True Leadership and Experience
With over 27 years of experience as a City Manager in three cities, and 13 years with the city of Los Angeles as a versatile, ‘utility player’ Executive Manager, Robert R. ‘Bud’ Ovrom formed Ovrom Management Solutions to offer very personalized, “hands on” consulting and management services to a select circle of municipal clients.
Ovrom Management Solutions is specifically oriented to working closely with clients to solve problems and address challenges unique to that client with creative and specific solutions. Ovrom Management comes to the table with expertise in Economic Development Strategy and Implementation, Organizational Development and Interim Management Staffing.
Effective. Successful.
City of Los Angeles, CA
Executive Director – Convention & Tourism Development
May 2013 – March 2017
General Manager – Building & Safety
January 2010 – May 2013
Deputy Mayor – Commercial & Residential Development
July 2005 – January 2010
Chief Executive Officer – Community Redevelopment Agency
March 2003 – June 2005
City of Burbank, CA
City Manager
June 1985 – February 2003
City of Downey, CA
City Manager
May 1983 – June 1985
City of Monrovia, CA
City Manager, Assistant City Manager
August 1974 – May 1983
City of Simi Valley, CA
Assistant to the City Manager, Administrative Assistant
December 1970 – August 1974
About Bud Ovrom
Bud Ovrom often refers to himself as a third generation San Diegan, because his maternal grandfather came to San Diego by covered wagon before the turn of the century, and he first moved there as an infant. But, he was actually born at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis while his father, a career naval officer, was teaching there.
Being from a military family, Bud lived in many places as a child including Coronado, California; Galveston, Texas; Newport, Rhode Island; San Diego, California; Annapolis, Maryland; and Arlington, Virginia. After being in three different schools in the 7th grade, his parents enrolled him at San Diego Military Academy, where he lived until he graduated, as the Cadet Corps Battalion Commander, in 1963.
Originally interested in going into the Foreign Service, Bud graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 1967, with a degree in Political Science/International Relations. He was President of his fraternity, Phi Kappa Psi, in his Junior year and immediately after graduation, joined the Peace Corps. He served in Guatemala from 1967 – 1970.
Although Bud enjoyed the Peace Crops, it was a turbulent time in the United States and he decided he did not want to live the rest of his life overseas. When he returned to the U.S., his Peace Corps supervisor suggested a career in local government. Bud got his first job as Assistant to the City Manager of Simi Valley in 1970. From there, he went on to be City Manager of Monrovia and Downey, and ultimately Burbank in 1985, where he stayed for 18 years before retiring in 2003.
As a second career, Bud went to the City of Los Angeles in March, 2003 as CEO of the Redevelopment Agency in Mayor Jim Hahn’s administration. He subsequently was appointed Deputy Mayor for Economic Development during Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s first term and General Manager of the Building and Safety Department during his second term. Mayor Eric Garcetti appointed him as the first General Manager of the newly created Department of Convention and Tourism Development, from where he retired in March, 2017.
Bud’s wife, Denise, also has a career in local government, serving in Simi Valley, Claremont, Brea, Temple City and Beverly Hills. During the time she was City Manager of Temple City, Bud and Denise were the only husband and wife City Managers in the nation. There had been one couple in Texas and another couple in Illinois, but they both got divorced! Bud and Denise are still happily married over 40 years.
Their eldest daughter, Shelley, is currently the Director of Human Resources for the City of Beverly Hills. Younger daughter, Heather, lives in Bakersfield, CA. Bud’s favorite things to do are spending time at their vacation home on Mission Bay in San Diego, going to concerts with Denise and being with their grandson, Zackary.