The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center has appointed Michael Ross, chief executive of the Pasadena Center Operating Company, to its Board of Directors, the nonprofit announced Thursday.
The appointment connects two prominent Pasadena nonprofit institutions at a moment when the aquatics center is preparing for its role as the Olympic diving venue for the LA28 Games.
The Pasadena Center Operating Company, where Ross has served as CEO since 2006, manages the Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena Civic Auditorium, the Pasadena Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Pasadena Ice Skating Center.
“It is truly an honor to welcome Mike to the RBAC Board of Directors,” Melanie Sauer, executive director of the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, said in the release. “His leadership experience, deep ties to the Pasadena community, and vision for the future make him an incredible addition to our team. We are excited to have him alongside us as we continue to grow and expand our impact.”
The Pasadena Center Operating Company is a nonprofit corporation formed in 1973 to manage Pasadena’s civic venues. According to the press release, Ross holds a master’s degree in Recreation and Park Administration from Central Michigan University and has previously served as a board member of what the release described as “the First Tee of Pasadena at Brookside Golf Course.” The youth golf organization operating at Brookside Golf Club is currently named First Tee – Greater Pasadena.
The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, located at 360 N. Arroyo Blvd. adjacent to the Rose Bowl Stadium, opened in 1990 with funding from the LA84 Foundation, the legacy organization of the 1984 Olympic Games. The Los Angeles City Council on September 10, 2025 approved LA28’s proposal to stage Olympic diving at the center during the 2028 Games. The center has said it plans facility upgrades ahead of the Games, including a new tower and updated mechanicals.
The release said Ross’s connection to the aquatics center is “rooted in a shared vision for the future, particularly the opportunity to align efforts in preparation for the LA28 Olympic Games.”
“I am excited to join the RBAC Board of Directors and look forward to contributing to its continued growth and impact in the community,” Ross said.
The RBAC’s programs include swim lessons, water safety instruction, competitive aquatics, and a water safety program that serves every third-grade student in the Pasadena Unified School District. The center reported more than 400,000 visits in 2025, according to materials presented to the city’s Northwest Commission earlier this month.
Ross joins a board chaired by John Mothershead. The board’s immediate past chair is Robert Kamins.
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