Gov Business Review Magazine

Gov Business Review: Awards Ranking

Gov Business Review proudly presents the City Manager of the Year 2026, recognizing public-sector leaders who strengthen community preparedness through effective planning and coordinated response strategies. These professionals develop emergency management frameworks that help organizations address potential risks while maintaining operational continuity during times of disruption. Their leadership helps agencies improve readiness and respond effectively to evolving challenges, enabling communities to protect critical resources while supporting public safety under changing conditions.     

City Manager of the Year - 2026

City Manager, City of Long Beach

As City Manager of Long Beach, Tom Modica leads with team spirit, working alongside the mayor and nine council members while helping guide nearly 6,000 employees across city departments and functions unique to Long Beach. He sees his role not only as setting strategic direction and making decisions, but as building systems that help employees make sound decisions and better serve the community, a leadership approach that earned him recognition as City Manager of the Year 2026 by Govt Business Re