Carson, CA — Carson City Manager David C. Roberts, Jr. was publicly celebrated during the July 7 Carson City Council meeting after Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes announced that he had been recognized as the top city manager in the state.

The Mayor moved the item up on the agenda to recognize Roberts early in the meeting, calling the honor an “awesome, awesome accomplishment” for both Roberts and the City of Carson.

“To have our city manager voted as the best city manager, not only in the South Bay, but in the whole state — that is an awesome, awesome accomplishment for us,” Davis-Holmes said during the meeting.

The recognition comes through Gov Business Review’s 2026 spotlight honoring the Top 10 City Managers, which recognizes visionary leaders driving efficient, responsive and innovative local governance. The publication highlights city managers who excel in public administration, community engagement and operational excellence while helping shape smarter, more sustainable cities that meet the evolving needs of residents.

For Carson, the recognition places a spotlight on Roberts’ leadership at a time when the city continues to focus on economic development, infrastructure, public safety, employee support and long-term sustainability.

Roberts, who first joined Carson as assistant city manager before being unanimously appointed city manager, was credited by Davis-Holmes with helping align city operations with the vision of the mayor and council.

“He gets our vision out, not their vision, and it’s a team effort,” Davis-Holmes said, noting that level of administrative unity had not always existed in the city.

The mayor described Roberts as a hands-on, bridge-building leader who works across complex city functions to ensure that policy direction becomes action for the community. She also highlighted his philosophy of leadership, saying Roberts believes a city manager must listen carefully, absorb input from multiple directions and help turn those perspectives into clear action.

Among the accomplishments Davis-Holmes pointed to was progress in Carson’s business plan-check process. She said some businesses had previously waited as long as 24 months for approval before Roberts helped propose the use of a third-party support system to reduce delays.

“We had projects that would land in the queue for two years, and our residents were complaining,” Davis-Holmes said. “And now, I think, it’s two weeks, three weeks, and they’re out of here.”

The mayor said the shift not only helps businesses move faster, but also brings additional revenue into the city.

Davis-Holmes also credited Roberts’ administration with helping advance Carson’s municipal fiber network, saying high-speed connectivity is no longer a luxury. She also praised the city’s investment in its employees, stating that Carson now has some of the highest-paid municipal workers in the South Bay.

“We take care of our employees,” she said.

Roberts responded to the recognition with humility, redirecting the honor to the City Council, city staff and Carson residents.

“This recognition is an incredible honor to be recognized for work that really I attribute to my colleagues,” Roberts said during the meeting. “I attribute it to the residents. I attribute it to you and the city council.”

In written comments emailed to the Carson Compass, Roberts said the honor reflects a deeper commitment to public service and servant leadership.

“Receiving the City Manager of the Year recognition is a deeply humbling honor that reflects a commitment to servant leadership,” Roberts said. “I have been called to serve others rather than be served.”

He emphasized that the award is not his alone, but a reflection of the collective work happening across city departments.

“This award is not an individual achievement, but a testament to our entire Carson team, illustrating that many diverse parts make up one strong, unified body,” Roberts said. “Managing this City is a trust and honor that inspires our entire team to continue modeling faithful stewardship and excellence for the community we serve.”

Roberts’ comments echoed the message he shared from the dais, where he described leadership as a shared responsibility and said the progress being made in Carson is the result of direction from elected leaders and the daily work of city staff.

“It’s really the team that I have the pleasure of serving with on a daily basis that really makes the city move,” Roberts said.

He added that accolades and titles have never been his primary motivation.

“I don’t really care about accolades, tags and titles,” Roberts said. “I’ve never been big about that. I’ve really just been about a ‘we’ product versus a ‘me’ product.”

The recognition comes as Carson continues to position itself as a growing regional hub in the South Bay, with major investments in business development, technology, public services and civic infrastructure.

Davis-Holmes said Roberts’ leadership has helped move Carson forward with confidence and purpose.

“We are now known throughout the South Bay as the jewel of the South Bay,” she said.

For Roberts, the moment was less about personal recognition and more about honoring the people who help carry out the work of city government every day.

“I could not receive this without really honoring my team, without honoring you, Madam Mayor, and our city council,” Roberts said. “You all give us the opportunity to do this every day for the residents.”

As Carson celebrates the recognition, city leaders framed the honor as another milestone in the city’s broader momentum — and as a reflection of what steady leadership, teamwork and a shared vision can produce.

“Congratulations, Mr. City Manager,” Davis-Holmes said, “and thank you for all that you have done and what you’re going to do in the future.”