City Manager Miguel Márquez announced the appointment, which took effect Monday. In his new role, Carmona will oversee a department of 115 full-time employees with an annual budget of $21.1 million.
“Manuel Carmona is an outstanding leader for our Public Health Department,” Márquez said. “He brings a wealth of experience, having played a pivotal role in the recent wildfire response and advancing vital community programs. Manuel is a strategic thinker with a deep commitment to health equity, collaboration, and innovation. I am confident he will engage with both our community and his team to develop creative and impactful solutions for the City of Pasadena.”
For Carmona, who has served as the department’s Acting Director since 2022, the appointment formalizes a leadership role he has already embraced.
He previously served as Deputy Director of Public Health starting in January 2020, where he helpted steer the department’s response to both the Covid-19 pandemic and the Eaton Fire emergency.
“Public health services are essential for identifying, understanding, and addressing population health needs,” Carmona said. “I am honored and grateful for the trust the City Manager has in me to lead the department. I am excited to continue leading the talented and mission-driven staff of over 100 Pasadena Public Health Department employees who work tirelessly to protect and advance equitable health outcomes for the Pasadena community.”
Under his leadership, the department has strengthened its community programs, particularly in violence intervention and maternal, adolescent, and child health. His tenure as Acting Director saw the completion of the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan and Community Health Improvement Plan, along with the department’s reaccreditation by the Public Health Accreditation Board.
Carmona’s connection to Pasadena public health spans nearly a decade. He joined the department in 2014 as a Management Analyst, overseeing the Administration and Finance Division. His municipal experience extends beyond public health, encompassing roles in human resources, economic development, code enforcement, and parks and recreation across various cities.
A native of the San Gabriel Valley who is an Altadena resident with his wife and two children, Carmona brings academic credentials that include a Master of Public Health from the University of Washington and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Community & Regional Development from the University of California, Davis.