Eric K. Dargan was appointed to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the City of San Diego on November 1, 2022. As COO, Eric reports directly to the Mayor and serves as the head of all operational departments of City government. His duties include managing the City’s daily operations and implementing initiatives in strategic planning, personnel development, climate action, infrastructure rehabilitation, sustainable housing and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Eric was born and raised in Blytheville, Arkansas. He attended Prairie View A&M University (PVA&MU), where he received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1989. He continued his education at Michigan State University, where he obtained a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1991. While working at the City of Houston, Dargan achieved his Certified Public Manager accreditation through Sam Houston State University in 2007.Eric began his professional career with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, now AT&T, where he spent 9 years and served as Director of telephone installation and repair in the Houston Region. During his career with Southwestern Bell he also spent time in the U.S. Army, where he served for 10 years – two years as a lieutenant on active duty and eight years in the National Guard, reaching the rank of captain and serving as company commander in the 136th Signal Corps.Eric served the City of Houston for more than 20 years. As COO of Public Works for America’s fourth largest city, he was responsible for the safe operating condition of the city’s streets, bridges, drainage ditches, water, sewer and stormwater facilities, as well as permitting and billing. Eric is passionate about serving our community and enriching lives of people in general. His favorite quote is from Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”Eric is married to Iris Savage Dargan. He is the proud father of Eric II and Traci Symone Dargan and the bonus father to Noah and Chai Savage.