About CityWorks Management:
Experienced and Poised to Deliver Value to Our Clients

CityWorks Management, LLC has been delivering peace of mind in church construction for over a quarter century. We serve as the owner’s representative to insure that church construction projects are completed in the most timely and cost effective manner, while still meeting the spiritual, aesthetic, and functional needs of the congregation.

As a quality construction project management firm, we share your concerns for timely performance and effective development as you proceed toward your goals. However, we never lose sight of the fact that our primary goal is to further the Kingdom of God giving Him glory in all we do as we serve ministries.

The CityWorks team started in business as general contractors in 1972. During the first eleven years (until 1983), the firm operated under the name of ESSCO Financial as a division of Electric Service & Supply Co. The emphasis then was on commercial building with some diversification into single family development.

From 1983 to present the firm has emphasized construction, construction management and project management in the area of institutional building for churches, schools and Christian organizations. From 1983 to 1995, we were known as Crown City Construction, but our growth and diversification made it clear that construction and project management were two distinct needs. At that time we formed CityWorks, Inc, for construction needs, while CityWorks Management LLC is focused on project management.

Notable projects include:

• All of the Focus on the Family facilities in Pomona and their first National Headquarters in Arcadia, which won the Award of Merit from the Los Angeles Chapter of the AIA

• Lake Avenue Congregational Church Sanctuary and Education Building in Pasadena

• Church on the Way and International Church of the Four Square Gospel Angelus Temple projects

• Los Angeles Mission

• Grace Community Church

• Biola University

• Azusa Pacific University

• West Angeles Church of God Cathedral

• World Vision

• Life Pacific College campus including dormitories, student center and gymnasium

• Cottonwood Christian Center multi-phased campus

• Town & Country Manor of the Christian and Missionary Alliance

• Church of the Open Door

• Evergreen Baptist Church

• Hope Chapel – El Segundo

• Immanuel Baptist Church

• Baseline Community Church

• First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton

• Thru the Bible Radio

For a full list of our projects please visit our New Projects page.

Project Management Team
Operational control at CityWorks Management is accomplished under a team management concept. The staff offers decades of experience in the construction industry, architecture and construction law.

Stephen Lazarian, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer

Steve Lazarian is a recognized figure in the cause of upholding professionalism and ethics among licensed contractors and engineers in the State of California. He views community volunteerism as a practical means for people of faith to bring service and compassion to the real world.

After graduating from Westmont College in 1970 and California Western School of Law in 1973, Mr. Lazarian established his law firm in San Diego from 1974 to 1989 where he specialized in corporate, real estate and construction law. He is a member of the California Bar and the U.S. Supreme Court Bar.

In 1985 Mr. Lazarian was appointed by Governor Deukmejian to the Contractors State License Board for the State of California and was Chairman for the 1988/89 year. After more than seven years as a member of the Contractors State License Board, Mr. Lazarian was appointed by Governor Wilson to the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Mr. Lazarian was one of 13 appointed members who oversees and regulates all Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors in the State of California. He served as President of the Board during fiscal year 1996/97 and chaired a special Task Force to investigate the elimination of title act disciplines within the State. Mr. Lazarian also served as Chairman of the Board of Claremont Facilities Corporation which was a World Vision subsidiary entity. He also chairs the board of Door of Hope, which is a local homeless shelter for families in Pasadena.

Stephanie Pearl, Esq.
General Counsel

Stephanie Pearl is the cornerstone of the multitude of legal review and contractual services that bring great value to CityWorks’ clients.

Ms. Pearl graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1982 and from the UCLA School of Law in 1985. Upon graduation, she was associated with several prominent national law firms in Beverly Hills and Century City, where she specialized in general business and commercial litigation. In 1994, Ms. Pearl became affiliated with Fenigstein and Kaufman in Century City, where she managed the employment law department, as well as continuing her general litigation practice.

Ms. Pearl joined CityWorks in 2000 where she administers owner consultant contracts, construction contracts, and represents owners in construction and land use matters.

Ariel Babikian, AIA
Director of Planning and Design Services

Ariel Babikian brings unique insights to CityWorks clientele as a licensed architect, Christian educator, and ordained pastor.

Ariel Babikian graduated from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona with a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1986. In 2000 Mr. Babikian obtained his Masters Degree in Christian Education from Azusa Pacific University. Currently, Mr. Babikian is working on his Doctorate in Collegiate Education at Azusa Pacific College. He has served as an Adjunct faculty and juror for several colleges and schools of Architecture.

Mr. Babikian is a licensed California Architect and a member of the American Institute of Architects. He served Governor Wilson’s administration to the Office of Emergency Services for the State of California administering over $25 billion dollars of mitigation and response to disaster declarations after the Northridge earthquake. He has been a Federal and State representative and lecturer for numerous education programs involving sound construction practices.

Mr. Babikian has specialized in church architecture since 1987 having practiced with such notable firms as Gaede-Larson Architects and PBWS Architects in Southern California. Mr. Babikian is ordained as a pastor within the Church of the Nazarene and currently serves as an Associate Pastor in Pasadena, California.

Hovel Babikian
Site Planning

A distinguished educator and engineer, Hovel Babikian serves clients and community alike, as president of a bible college and a leader in his local church.

Mr. Babikian is the Program Director and Associate Professor of the Construction Engineering program at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He is a registered Civil Engineer and received his graduate degree in Civil Engineering from California Institute of Technology. Mr. Babikian has over 16 years of experience in the coordination, planning and design of large-scale domestic and international construction engineering projects. He is the author of seven textbooks and serves on the University’s President’s Council.

Mr. Babikian is also the President of Emmanuel Bible College located in Arcadia. EBC is a 4-year higher education ministerial training center which prepares local lay leaders for a career in ministry. Hovel and his wife Meline are active in their local church where they lead a young couples Christian Life class.

Dave Rose
Director of Construction Services

With over 30 years of experience in construction and ownership, Dave Rose is the backbone of the CityWorks construction activities that bring value to our clients.

Mr. Rose directs all construction activities for CityWorks. He has served as owner and President of his own construction firm prior to joining CityWorks where he brings his expertise in supervising commercial, industrial and institutional projects. He has directed senior staff and field personnel on multiple projects.

Mr. Rose managed Crown City Construction from its inception to 1988. Most importantly, Mr. Rose has had direct experience in all phases of construction and provides significant construction knowledge to CityWorks and its clients.

Stan Wong
Director of Governmental Services

Stan Wong has over 30 years of City Planning and Redevelopment experience in municipal government with 20 years as the Planning and Redevelopment Director for the City of Glendora. Mr. Wong's familiarity and knowledge of government entitlement processes will help streamline and expedite our client’s projects.

Stan Wong graduated from the California State Polytechnic University in Pomona with a Bachelor of Science degree in City and Regional Planning in 1976. He is a member of the American Planning Association since 1976. Mr. Wong served the City of Glendora from 1976 to 2008 and as Director of Planning and Redevelopment from 1988 - 2007. Mr. Wong was responsible for directing, developing and implementing all planning, housing, and redevelopment programs and projects in Glendora. Mr. Wong was the chairman of the Glendora's Project Review Committee which worked in partnership with the Director of Public Works, Building Division, City Manager, Chief of Police and the Fire Department that meets with developers of all sizes and types to evaluate their project from the very beginning. The team endeavors to assess potential problems and offer guidance through the bureaucratic process, avoiding delays and excessive costs. Mr. Wong has been directly involved in negotiating and overseeing multi-million dollar development projects including the 48 acre Glendora Marketplace commercial development, 34 acre Diamond Ridge commercial development, 20 acre Glendora Auto Centre, 155 unit senior housing Geleris project and numerous other projects throughout the City of Glendora.

Julianne de Silva
Interior Design Services

Julianne de Silva uses her unique creative talents to serve the multiple aesthetic needs of churches and their congregations.

Julianne de Silva has over 20 years of experience in the design and manufacturing of interior systems and materials. She has designed for textiles, garments, window coverings, home and commercial furnishings. For the past 12 years Ms. de Silva has provided interior and exterior design services for owners, developers and contractors. She has designed and decorated model homes and other commercial spaces, and is responsible for all interior and exterior furniture, furnishings and equipment through CityWorks.

She works extensively with acoustical needs to provide decorative acoustic panels, and coordinates architects and owners in the selection process for building fixtures, including bathrooms, seating, carpet and similar items.