From a City of Piedmont news release Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2026:
The City Council unanimously voted to appoint Bonnie Tam as Piedmont’s next Public Works Director at their regular meeting on Monday, October 5.
Tam brings nearly 20 years of local government experience in public works operations, capital improvement planning, and fiscal management. She most recently served as Public Works Director for the City of San Fernando and will begin her service with Piedmont on October 6.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have found someone with Bonnie’s depth and breadth of experience,” said Mayor Betsy Smegal Andersen. “She’s led complex public works operations, managed major capital programs, and understands how to set priorities and make the most of limited resources. With so much important work underway throughout the city, Bonnie has the experience and the judgment to hit the ground running from day
one.”
As Public Works Director in San Fernando, Tam led a full-service department and oversaw a $46 million Capital Improvement Program, including major infrastructure projects across water treatment, parks, and public facilities. Previously, at the City of Ontario, Tam oversaw a $690 million five-year Capital Improvement Program and led major initiatives including implementing an agency-wide asset management program. Her municipal career also includes service with the cities of Monterey Park and Long Beach.
Tam joins Piedmont at an important moment. The City has substantial needs across aging infrastructure and facilities. Meeting those needs will require careful prioritization, strategic use of local dollars, and maximizing opportunities to leverage outside resources.
Tam cites Piedmont’s engaged community as a major factor in her decision, saying “I was drawn to Piedmont because it is a close-knit community where people care deeply about their city and are involved in how it moves forward. My approach is centered on communication and collaboration – listening to residents, working across departments, and identifying and solving problems early.”
Tam continued, “I look forward to working with my colleagues and the community to preserve what makes Piedmont special while continuing to elevate the infrastructure and services residents rely on every day.”
Tam holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree in Criminology, Law and Society from the University of California, Irvine.
The City engaged Bob Murray & Associates to conduct the recruitment following the departure of former Public Works Director Daniel Gonzales. Rich Cunningham has served as Interim Public Works Director during the recruitment.