Agoura Hills promotes a staff member

Jim Thorsen

Agoura Hills Director of Public Works/City Engineer Jim Thorsen was recently promoted to assistant city manager. At last week’s city council meeting, council members unanimously approved Thorsen’s promotion in conjunction with the recommendation of City Manager Greg Ramirez.

Ramirez said in a report, "Jim is the ideal choice for the assistant city manager position for several reasons. He’s done an unparalleled job improving the infrastructure of the city and has built an outstanding and highly respected engineering/public works department."

In his new position, Thorsen will continue to oversee the Kanan interchange project and head the public works department, as well as oversee the community services and community development departments. Other responsibilities include serving as intergovernmental relations liaison with other public agencies, while overseeing all city facilities, economic development and transportation issues.

Ramirez also said in his report that Thorsen will seek funding opportunities for the city through competitive grants and state/federal appropriations and provide assistance to the city council, the public, committees and other agencies. He’ll also assist the director of finance with preparation of the annual budget.

Thorsen is a 20-year city government worker who’s worked for seven years in Agoura Hills, 10 years in Simi Valley and three in Denver.

"We’ve got such a great and wonderful staff here," Thorsen said. "We’re able to accomplish a lot with a little, which is a great credit to the city council."

––Stephanie Bertholdo