In a Surprise Move, Santa Ana Appoints Ream City Manager

In a surprise development, the Santa Ana City Council Tuesday night selected David Ream, executive director of community development, as the new city manager.

Ream, 41, takes over the top city post from Robert C. Bobb, who announced three weeks ago that he will take a similar post in Richmond, Va. Bobb will continue serving as city manager until July 7.

“It caught me by surprise,” said Ream, who began working for the City of Santa Ana as a management analyst in March of 1978. “I’m more than happy to accept the position.”

Although he noted that the city has been through perhaps the most controversial period in its history--including a recall effort, a long-running rent strike and opposition to a proposed sports arena--Ream said he looks forward to taking over the reins.

“The city has gone through a lot of changes, but we’ve got more solid projects coming on line in 1986 than ever before,” he said, adding that the city has “nationally recognized” programs in police, fire, development and finance.

The City Council met in executive session twice Monday and was expected to announce the selection of an interim city manager. However, when council members finally emerged at about 10:15 p.m., Mayor Dan Griset announced that Ream would be the permanent city manager, citing his administrative capabilities, “solid work habits” and adding that the council decided to choose from within city ranks to avoid “needless upheaval in the city.”

Ream, a Long Beach native, is a graduate of Long Beach Poly High. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in business from Cal State Long Beach.

Before coming to work for Santa Ana, where he began by helping to draft the city’s first “Proposition 13 budget,” Ream worked as a management analyst for Lakewood and a community development analyst for Long Beach.

He said terms of salary and benefits have yet to be discussed.