Martha Alvarez, who brings more than a decade of South Bay municipal experience to her new role, was appointed City Clerk of Hermosa Beach on April 1, 2026.

A Torrance native who has spent her entire career serving South Bay communities, Alvarez most recently served as Assistant City Clerk for the City of Manhattan Beach. During her ten-year tenure within the Manhattan Beach City Clerk’s Office, she managed four municipal election cycles, oversaw the processing of thousands of Public Records Requests annually and managed City Council meeting agendas and minutes while also serving as an inter-departmental liaison.

As Hermosa Beach’s City Clerk, Alvarez is now responsible for ensuring public access to City records and information, managing City Council agendas and minutes, administering municipal elections and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the City Clerk’s Office.

City Manager Steve Napolitano said Alvarez’s familiarity with the South Bay and municipal experience were key factors in her selection. “Martha has spent her entire career living in and serving South Bay communities,” said Napolitano. “She understands our region, she knows how an effective City Clerk’s office runs and she’s already hit the ground running in her new role. We’re very glad to have her on the team.”

“My focus is on serving the Hermosa community professionally and with full transparency,” said Alvarez. “I know what it’s like to work closely with City Council, City staff and residents to make sure the City Clerk’s office is one they can count on, and I’m proud to bring what I’ve learned across the South Bay to Hermosa Beach. I look forward to continuing to work to earn the trust of this community.”

Born in Torrance and raised throughout the South Bay, Alvarez is a lifelong community member who currently resides in Rancho Palos Verdes. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Loyola Marymount University and is currently completing a Master of Public Administration at the University of Miami (expected August 2026). She is a certified Master Municipal Clerk and a Certified Municipal Clerk, and she has been authorized as a Notary Public since 2007. She is also bilingual in English and Spanish.

Prior to her decade of service in the Manhattan Beach City Clerk’s office, Alvarez spent eight years at Loyola Marymount University as an Academic Records Coordinator, where she developed a strong foundation in records management, public access and institutional compliance.

Alvarez succeeds former City Clerk Myra Maravilla in her new role. Former Deputy City Clerk Reanna Guzman and Executive Assistant to the City Manager Ann Yang served as Interim City Clerks during the transition.