Today, Long Beach City Manager Pat West announced the city’s selection of Alejandrina “Alex” Basquez, a Long Beach resident and Woodrow Wilson High School alumnus, as Long Beach’s new human resources director. 

Basquez comes to the city after working most recently as the current assistant general manager for the City of Los Angeles Personnel Management, where she oversees 142 full-time employees. She will replace current HR Director Deborah Mills, who will retire on September 15. 

“Ms. Basquez has an extensive background in human resource management and she will be able to hit the ground running,” said West in a statement, where he also thanked Mills for her service. “She also has valuable experience in labor relations that will be helpful in continuing our great working relationship with the City’s employee groups. Her commitment to public sector service and track record of implementing innovative human resource solutions will be a great addition to our City Management Team.”

“Alex Basquez is a great choice to lead our Human Resources department, and I have complete confidence in her abilities to manage employees, sit at the bargaining table, and work effectively with our City Manager and City Council,” said Mayor Robert Garcia in a statement. “I’m especially pleased that Alex grew up in Long Beach and still lives here, and I know that experience will serve our City well.”

Basquez will operate Long Beach human resources after handling the Personnel Department’s internal administrative and information systems for the City of Los Angeles and handling a budget of $54 million and a benefit budget of $671 million. 

“I am very excited at the opportunity to serve the Long Beach community and lead the Human Resource Department.  I am looking forward to working with other City departments and supporting their workforce needs,” said Basquez in a statement. “I believe human resource management is key to a City’s success because it can enable City departments to deliver programs and services in the most efficient manner possible, and provide a quality customer service experience for City residents.”

Basquez received a master’s degree from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Irvine.  

Above, left: photo courtesy of the City of Long Beach.