Lori Ann Farrell

Lori Ann Farrell is the Chief Executive OƯicer, eƯective July 6, 2026.  

Farrell brings 35 years of leadership in public finance, housing, and core government  services to the agency at a critical moment in L.A. County's effort to expand affordable housing, protect renters, and prevent homelessness.  

Throughout her career in the public and private sectors, Farrell has managed multi-billion dollar budgets, directed large public agencies, and secured hundreds of millions of dollars in investments. As City Manager of Costa Mesa and former Chief Financial Officer for the City of Long Beach she has a proven record of delivering results in politically complex environments. 

Farrell's financial credentials are extensive and widely recognized. As CFO for the City of  Long Beach, she oversaw the administration of a $2.4 billion bonded debt portfolio and  managed a $2.5 billion citywide budget. She achieved the first-ever AAA bond credit rating  for the City of Huntington Beach and delivered the first clean audit for Long Beach in 12  years. She has issued and managed over $2.5 billion in bonded debt across multiple cities and financing authorities. 

During her tenure in Costa Mesa, the City secured more than $17 million in local, state and county grants to convert motels into 164 permanent supportive housing units for seniors, veterans and at-risk residents. She also lobbied for and won a $3.5 million state planning grant to develop over 2,300 units of housing at a local infill site. Under her leadership, the City constructed its first permanent bridge shelter and negotiated a regional agreement that provided additional funding for 100 beds for unhoused individuals. Her commitment  to affordable housing production and homelessness prevention is demonstrated by the creation of the City’s first ever Affordable Housing Ordinance, and the establishment of a Tenant Eviction Protection Ordinance that reduced evictions by 50 percent in the first six months. 

Most recently, Farrell has been serving as Interim City Manager for the City of Santa Rosa, where she oversees 1,276 employees and a $554 million budget spanning public safety, housing, homelessness services, and infrastructure, among other departments.

She holds a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University's School of  International and Public Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts from Barnard College of Columbia University.