CSULB graduate Cruz has mastered plan for success

As new developments bolster the City of Long Beach, Ron Cruz has the opportunity to give back to the community he has grown to love. Cruz, a Cal State Long Beach graduate, is the youngest and newest city planner.

"Working as a city planner for Long Beach is great," Cruz said. "It gives me an opportunity to help this city progress in the 21st century. I have learned so many new things about my career that have made me really appreciate the city and what it has to offer."

Cruz has assisted on several major city projects, including new city skate parks and the redevelopment of downtown Long Beach.
 

Working hard with the city-planning department, Cruz has developed a passion for the geographical aspects of Long Beach

"Cruz is definitely a committed employee for the city," said Bob Benard, the city's zoning officer. "He is a quick study and has dealt with several cellular and new coastal developments. If stays here at the city he will surely move up and take on more responsibility."
Cruz said it is amazing to see the development of an entire city.

Checking blueprints and ensuring that neighbors will get along are two examples of the varied aspects of his job. Making sure deadlines are met is the most stressful aspect of his job.

"Being a planner you have to be completely organized and be able to work with a team," Cruz said. "I can be working on several projects at the same time, and if I am not up-to-date on all the projects and not organized, the results could be disastrous."
Cruz graduated from CSULB in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in geography.

"Long Beach State was a great school that helped me pursue my career," Cruz said. "Not only academically but (it did) also socially. I met so many people within my major as well as in several social clubs that it has helped since the day I started."

An internship his senior year led to his job with the city. Cruz also mastered time management. In addition to his internship, the Lakewood native worked four nights a week and maintained a full course load, earning a 3.2 GPA.

"My parents have helped me tremendously throughout life," Cruz said. "They and my sisters have been supported of me since day one. They are not just my family, they are my best friends."

Cruz recently was back on the CSULB campus for his younger sister's graduation. He said it brought back great memories as he another Cruz move on to the next phase of life as he did only two short years ago.