In March of 2024, Brian Gruner was appointed as the Director of Parks & Community Services for the City of Costa Mesa.

Gruner has worked in the field of Parks, Recreation and Community Services for over 24 years, starting as a part-time recreation leader and promoting through the supervisory ranks.

He has extensive experience in the management of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, including the oversight of multimillion-dollar budgets, capital improvement projects, strategic planning, community outreach, partnership development and arts and cultural programs. 

Prior to his arrival in Costa Mesa, Gruner served as the Parks and Recreation Superintendent for the City of Fairfield, where he managed the after school and pre-school programs, including a $800,000 ASES Grant, oversight of activities, programs, and events at the Adult Recreation Center and a $3 million budget.

He has also worked for Laguna Woods Village as Recreation and Special Events Director and for the City of Mission Viejo as the Community Services Supervisor.

A graduate of Mission Viejo High School, he has lived in Orange County for most of his adult life.

Gruner holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Cal State Fullerton in Business Management and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Monique Villasenor has been the City’s Recreation Manager since March of 2021, overseeing all recreation programs and facilities, including special events.

Villasenor previously spent 17 years in Lake Forest working on all types of programs including facility operations and budget, working on public outreach and marketing, coordinating efforts with local community groups, and assisting with economic development.

Her experience included the oversight of an 86-acre sports complex, which featured a 27,000 square foot recreation center. She also helped execute the opening of the new Civic Center Campus and Performing Arts Center.

Villasenor has a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Administration from Cal State University Long Beach and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration also from CSULB.