LOS ANGELES – Mayor Karen Bass today announced Deputy Mayor of Communications Zach Seidl will be departing the Mayor’s Office for a private sector communications strategy role following 10 years of service both in the Mayor’s Office and in Congress. Mayor Bass also announced she will be appointing Samuel Jean, a seasoned communications strategist with extensive experience in crisis management, media relations, and digital campaigns, as Interim Communications Director.
“Zach has played an invaluable role leading strategic communications through some of the most challenging times this country and this city has faced – the worldwide pandemic, the nationwide push for police reform, historic progress on confronting the homelessness crisis in L.A. and defending against the assault on Los Angeles by our own federal government,” said Mayor Bass. “I am grateful to him for his leadership and his vision over the past decade and I wish him great success in his next chapter.”
Seidl’s last day with the Administration will be October 17th and a search for his successor is already underway. Interim Communications Director Jean is a former lawyer and entertainment industry veteran who began a new chapter in Los Angeles as a strategic communications advisor to the business sector, nonprofits, grassroots political campaigns, and community organizations. Known as a storyteller who connects people and ideas, Jean now brings that experience to public service.
“I’m excited to welcome Sam to our team as we continue historic progress on confronting the homelessness crisis, making Los Angeles safer and moving our city forward,” said Mayor Bass.