Gary DeLong (City Councilmember)
Gary Irving DeLong (born February 20, 1960) is a member of the Long Beach City Council serving since 2006. He won re-election in 2010 with a large percentage of the vote. A resident of Long Beach, California, DeLong is a 3rd Generation Southern Californian and was born in Westchester, California.
Legislative career
Gary DeLong represents the 3rd District of the city of Long Beach, California and is currently Chair of the Budget Oversight Committee and the Federal Legislation Committee, as well as Chairman of the Alameda Corridor Transit Authority and the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority. Mr. DeLong also serves on the Board of Governors for the Long Beach City College Foundation.
Community Service Prior to the Long Beach City Council
Gary DeLong has been an ACTIVE community leader in Long Beach for over 25 years by serving on the City’s Economic Development Commission, the Aquarium of the Pacific Board of Directors, the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Council, the Long Beach City College Foundation Board of Governors, the Long Beach Public Library Advisory Board of Directors, the California Conference for Equality and Justice (CCEJ), the Rotary Club of Long Beach, the Wilson High School PTA, the Laurelcrest School for Girls Board of Directors, the ChildNet Youth & Family Services Board of Directors, and the Goodwill Industries of Southern California Board of Directors.
Education and Academic Career
Gary DeLong earned his bachelor’s degree in business from California State University, Dominguez Hills and an MBA from the University of Southern California.
Professional Background
Gary DeLong is currently President of The RTP Group, a telecommunications consulting and software development company. He has been with The RTP Group since January 1988, serving as Vice President - Administration thru 1990 and then Vice President & Chief Financial Officer until February 1995. Prior to joining The RTP Group, Mr. DeLong spent four years with Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc., a major North American retailer. His last position included corporate responsibility for both voice and data communications. Prior to joining Carter Hawley, Mr. DeLong was with Security Pacific National Bank for four years. He initially joined the Bank in a telecommunications capacity, however, served the last two years as Assistant Vice President - International Banking Product Management.
The 3rd Council District
The 3rd District includes the southeast communities of Long Beach including Alamitos Heights, Atherton South, Bay Harbour, Belmont Heights, Belmont Shore, Belmont Park, Belmont Shore Mobile Estates, Bixby Hill, Bixby Riviera, Bixby Village, Bluff Heights, Bluff Park, College Estates, Del Lago, Island Village, La Marina Estates, La Rochelle, Lincoln Heights, Marina Pacifica, Marine Stadium, Naples, Pacific Villas, Park Estates, Peninsula, Spinnaker Bay, Spinnaker Cove, University Park Estates and Whaler’s Cove.
Congressional Run
On August 17, 2011, Gary DeLong officially announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives in California's new 47th Congressional District. He has gained the endorsements of former California Governor George Deukmejian, California State Board of Equalization Vice-Chair Michelle Steel, Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen, Long Beach City Auditor Laura Doud and others. He will run in the new all-candidate primary, with his top opponent expected to be Democratic State Senator Alan Lowenthal.
Personal life
Councilmember DeLong lives in the Long Beach Park Estates area with his wife Dawna and daughters Danielle, Elizabeth and Katie.