Dennis Gakunga

Dennis Gakunga joined the City of Chula Vista as the Chief Sustainability Officer in October 2015. He leads the City’s sustainability programs and smart city initiatives. His responsibilities include the implementation of a wide range of sustainability policies and programs including those related to smart city initiatives, efficient and renewable energy, smart growth, water conservation and healthy community initiatives. Gakunga serves as the liaison to the public, other City departments, civic groups, business organizations, and other public agencies as it relates to Chula Vista’s smart city and environmental sustainability initiatives.

Gakunga is an innovative manager with experience in both public and private sector program development and management. Most recently, he was the director of purchasing & contracting for the City of San Diego, and prior to that, worked as the assistant director for business diversity, director of procurement services for the tollway authority in North Texas, as well as the City of Dallas, City Manager’s office.

Additionally, Gakunga has worked as a management consultant for Deloitte Consulting LLP, IBM Business Consulting, and PricewaterhouseCoopers/PWC Consulting in the financial services, information technology and energy resources sectors.

Gakunga volunteers his time on issues facing vulnerable populations, specifically women and children, in conflict regions. He has traveled to refugee camps in Africa and participated in efforts to strengthen local governance institutions and post-conflict nation building.

Gakunga holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems and Management Sciences from the University of Texas, Arlington.