Costa Mesa’s city spokesman to exit for Irvine Co. job

Costa Mesa city spokesman Bill Lobdell plans to leave City Hall for a position with the Irvine Co.

Lobdell said in a statement Thursday that his last day with the city is March 13.

“I’ve lived and worked in the Newport-Mesa community for more than three decades and have always had great admiration for the Irvine Co.,” Lobdell said. “Though I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my four years with the city of Costa Mesa, I’m looking forward to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Lobdell’s new position with the Newport Beach-based development company is vice president of communications.

Lobdell, a former Daily Pilot editor and Los Angeles Times reporter, started at City Hall in 2011 on a contract basis, a position that was made permanent later that year.

Lobdell’s total City Hall compensation, including benefits, was about $186,000.

--Bradley Zint

Twitter: @bradleyzint