Mayor Pro Tem Derek Lazzaro is serving his first term on the City Council following the November 5th, 2024 General Election. He grew up in Palos Verdes Estates and graduated from Palos Verdes Peninsula High School.

Prior to his election to City Council, Mayor Pro Tem Lazzaro served the community for eight years as chair and commissioner of the Palos Verdes Estates Planning Commission. In this role, he was focused on preserving the unique open spaces and residential character of Palos Verdes Estates. He also served a term on the board of directors of the Malaga Cove Homeowners Association.

Professionally, Mayor Pro Tem Lazzaro is a licensed attorney and cybersecurity expert, and he has served as a three-time Chief Information Officer for Los Angeles area organizations, including at USC’s renowned Information Sciences Institute and two major LA-area law firms. In these roles, Lazzaro has had contracting, budget, and operational responsibility for hundreds of employees and multimillion dollar projects. Lazzaro has also done work as a consultant focused on technology, cybersecurity, and operational goals.

Mayor Pro Tem Lazzaro holds a bachelor's degree from UCLA and a Juris Doctor from USC Law School. He also holds a number of professional recognitions and certifications, and he is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US). He has completed FEMA/NDEMU courses and received certificates for Emergency Planning and the Incident Command System.

Mayor Pro Tem Lazzaro enjoys spending time with his wife, a dermatologist, and his two young children who attend public schools in Palos Verdes Estates.

Email:  dlazzaro@pvestates.org