The city of Manhattan Beach has named Masa Alkire as its new community development director.

Alkire brings 25 years of extensive experience in urban planning and community development to his new role, having served in various leadership capacities for municipalities across Southern California and beyond.

Most recently, Alkire served as assistant director and city planner for the city of Beverly Hills, where he managed a planning division of 20 staff and played a key role in the certification of the city’s 6th Cycle Housing Element. His career also includes significant project management experience for large-scale developments, such as the 1.3 million square-foot One Beverly Hills Overlay Specific Plan and the 3.5 million square-foot Raytheon Specific Plan/Development Agreement project in El Segundo.

“We are thrilled to welcome Masa Alkire to the city of Manhattan Beach,” said City Manager Talyn Mirzakhanian in a statement. “His management of significant development projects, and his commitment to collaborative problem-solving make him an invaluable asset to our team and our community. We are confident that his leadership will advance our planning goals and environmental sustainability efforts while preserving our cherished small-town character.”

Alkire’s expertise extends to navigating California’s evolving land use legislation, comprehensive zoning code updates, and Local Coastal Program development. He holds a master's degree in community and regional planning from the University of British Columbia and is an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) professional.

Alkire replaces acting community development director Ryan Heise. Heise, a building official, had stepped in when Mirzakhanian, the city's previous community development director, was appointed to serve as interim city manager in August 2024. Mirzakhanian was formally named to the city manager position in October 2024.