Shannon DeLong leaves to become assistant city manager in Whittier

DOWNEY -- Longtime city administrator Shannon DeLong is leaving Downey to become an assistant city manager in Whittier. 

Whittier officials announced the news in a press release.

A UCLA graduate, DeLong began her Downey career in 2007 as a special projects coordinator. She was named assistant to the city manager in 2011 and a year later became interim executive director of the Columbia Memorial Space Center. 

That same year she also became acting librarian at the Downey City Library, a title she held until last July.  

DeLong is replacing Nancy Mendez, a longtime Whittier employee who became assistant city manager in 2002. She oversaw several projects, including the Greenway Trail and the construction of a new community center and police station.