Pasadena City Manager Miguel Márquez will continue leading the city until a permanent successor is selected, following his announcement on Monday that he will retire to focus on family matters.
Márquez, who joined Pasadena in August 2022, informed the City Council of his decision to step down after more than two years as the city’s top administrator.
He said the choice comes as his family faces a time of personal need following the recent passing of his father.
Márquez took six weeks off in July and August and could be with the City into the new year after the search begins in earnest.
“Serving the people of Pasadena has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” Márquez said in a statement released on Monday. “In light of my father’s recent passing, my family needs me at this time, and I need to be there for them. I leave knowing the City is fiscally stable, in good hands, and is on a solid path forward.”
Mayor Victor Gordo said the council supports Márquez’s decision and appreciates his leadership.
Gordo called the City Manager’s departure a significant loss for the City.
“We are deeply grateful for his service and the example he has set of selfless, principled leadership,” Gordo said.
Since taking office, Márquez has overseen a wide range of major initiatives and challenges. Under his leadership, the city maintained balanced budgets and rebuilt financial reserves, secured long-term labor agreements with employee unions, and moved forward on upgrades to the city’s historic Central Library.
He also led efforts to modernize police and fire equipment, invest in street improvements, and secure more than $1 billion in long-term contracts for carbon-free energy — putting Pasadena years ahead of state clean-energy mandates. Márquez was also credited for guiding the city’s coordinated response and recovery after the Eaton Fire and severe windstorm earlier this year.
City officials said Márquez’s steady leadership and collaborative approach have left Pasadena in a strong position as the search begins for his successor.
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