Rodney Tanaka, then vice mayor of Gardena, was recognized in July at the Nakaoka Center in Gardena during his final meeting as chair of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments.
“Everyone brings something special to the SBCCOG chairmanship,” the organization said in a statement. “Rodney Tanaka, you always made everyone feel welcome and heard. Through controversial issues you never lost your cool. With cigar at the ready, you helped the board transact our business knowing that the discussion covered all viewpoints which you resolved by finding consensus.
“A few highlights from your tenure include honoring city sustainability efforts and accomplishments through the second annual Energy and Climate Recognition Awards, celebrating the SBCCOG’s 30th anniversary at our 25th General Assembly, and helping Redondo Beach City Hall achieve functional zero street homelessness by reducing the number of unhoused people by 90% from 2017 levels.
“Thank you, Rodney, for your hard work and dedication. As you pass the baton to Lawndale Councilmember Bernadette Suarez, we look forward to continuing our work with you in 2025/2026.”
“t was an honor to be the chair of the SBCCOG and represent the City of Gardena,” Tanaka said. “The SBCCOG gave me the opportunity to lead a great group of colleagues and accomplish many positive projects for our communities.”
SBCCOG is dedicated to improving the quality of life and productivity in the South Bay subregion of Los Angeles County. The board, composed of members of city councils from 15 South Bay cities, the Harbor City/San Pedro/Wilmington communities of Los Angeles, and Districts 2 and 4 of Los Angeles County, collaborates on issues of mutual interest such as improving transportation, solving homelessness, increasing broadband access in underserved communities, and saving energy and water.
Tanaka, the first Asian American to serve as the board’s chair, was the SBCCOG’s first vice chair in 2023-24. He joined the board in 2020 and became second vice chair in 2022-23.
He has also represented Gardena as a delegate to the League of California Cities, Los Angeles County Division; the South Bay Regional Public Communications Authority; and the West Basin Water Association; and as an alternate delegate to the Independent Cities Association and the California Cities Gaming Authority.
Tanaka was appointed to the Gardena City Council in March 2017 and re-elected in 2022. Before being appointed mayor pro tem for 2024-25, he served in that capacity from April 2018 to April 2019 and from March 2021 to July 2022.
His family moved to Gardena from Colorado when he was 6 months old. He graduated from Gardena High School as a “true blue Mohican” in 1971. Before turning 21, Tanaka joined the Gardena Police Department Reserve Corps and served for one year. He applied for permanent status and was hired as an officer in 1974 following his 21st birthday. He retired as a lieutenant after 31 years of service.
Tanaka earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from CSU Long Beach in 1977 and a master’s degree in theology from Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology in 2007.