LOS ANGELES — Bud Ovrom, executive director of the Los Angeles Convention Center, is retiring after nearly four years in the position.
Ovrom, a long-time fixture in area politics, has worked for the city for 13 years in a variety of top level positions.
Among those are general manager of the Building and Safety Department, deputy mayor of economic development under Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and chief executive officer of the Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles. Prior to working for Los Angeles, he was Burbank's city manager for 18 years. He also held city manager positions in other Los Angeles County cities including Monrovia and Downey. He began his career as assistant city manager in Simi Valley in 1970.
Ovrom has held the top slot at the convention center since Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti took office.
"Bud has been a tremendous asset to my administration — he has overseen several years of impressive business at the Convention Center, and helped bring us closer to the vision of a fully-renovated, world-class convention facility," Garcetti said. "I thank Bud for his service, and his commitment to making L.A. a more prosperous City."
The convention center brought in an estimated $32 million of convention business last year — the most in its history, according to the mayor's office.
"It's been an honor to lead the Convention Center over the last three-and-a-half years, and be a part of such an incredible economic resurgence across our city," Ovrom said. "I'm grateful to Mayor Garcetti for this opportunity, and look forward to seeing his vision for Downtown L.A. move forward."
Ovrom will transition out of his role until he officially steps down on March 26.
