The Glendale City Council officially appointed Onnig Bulanikian as its new Director of Community Services and Parks yesterday. Since June 2016, Bulanikian has been serving as the Interim Director, and has previously held the titles of Community Services Administrator and Community Services Manager with the City of Glendale.
Bulanikian is not new to Glendale; starting in 2003 he was Community Services Coordinator for the Pacific Park Community Center and then Community Services Supervisor. As Community Services Supervisor, he was tasked with overseeing the Pacific Community Center’s daily operations, budget management, staffing, and programming. In 2011, Bulanikian was named Community Services Manager with administrative oversight of the Recreation and Community Services Section. His expanded responsibilities included managing a multi-million dollar operating budget, overseeing daily operations of multiple community centers, and supervising 150 hourly employees. He was again promoted in 2012 to the position of Community Services Administrator.
Even before his long tenure with the City of Glendale, Onnig has wanted to be a public servant. Prior to 2003 Onnig worked with the City of Los Angeles as a lifeguard and occupied various positions within their Aquatics Division. He attended California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and received a Bachelor of Arts there in 1999. He then returned to CSUN for his Masters of Arts in Public Administration graduating in 2000.
Onnig has been married to his wife Maral Bulanikian for 11 years and have had three children together: Serge (9), Alique (7), and Ara (7). When he is not serving the community, Onnig enjoys spending time with his family, taking the kids to sporting events, and volunteering.
To learn more about how the Community Services and Parks Department enhances the quality of life in Glendale, click here