Pasadena Invites Community Input as City Council Begins City Manager Recruitment

The City Council in Pasadena has launched a nationwide search for the city’s next city manager and is asking residents to help shape the recruitment following the announced retirement of City Manager Miguel Márquez.

To lead the executive search, the City Council has hired WBCP Inc., a national recruitment firm specializing in public-sector leadership. 

City officials said community feedback will be used to identify the core attributes, leadership qualities and technical skills the council should prioritize in selecting Pasadena’s next top administrator.

Residents can submit anonymous feedback through online surveys available in English, Spanish, Armenian and Chinese (Mandarin).

• English survey: Bit.ly/CMEnglishSurvey
• Spanish survey: Bit.ly/CMSpanishSurvey
• Armenian survey: Bit.ly/CMArmenianSurvey
• Chinese (Mandarin) survey: Bit.ly/CMChineseSurvey

The deadline to respond is Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.

Applications for the city manager position will be accepted through Thursday, Jan. 29, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to interviews in early March.

A recruitment brochure is available for more information about the position.

Questions or additional input beyond the survey may be directed to recruiter Wendi Brown at Wendi@wbcpinc.com.

Márquez is expected to remain in the role until a successor is appointed.

He became Pasadena’s city manager in 2022, as the city was emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic and grappling with challenges that included housing affordability, public safety and fiscal recovery. 

Early in his tenure, Márquez oversaw the search for a new police chief and worked to stabilize city operations.

Over the past three years, he managed billion-dollar budgets, advanced housing reforms and led the city through contentious issues such as immigration enforcement activity, rent control debates and the response to the Eaton Fire. 

His leadership style was frequently described by city staff as measured and methodical, even as City Hall faced persistent skepticism from some residents.

Márquez tenure included maintaining balanced budgets and restoring financial reserves to pre-pandemic levels, securing long-term labor agreements with employee unions, investing millions of dollars in street improvements and public safety equipment, and procuring more than $1 billion in long-term contracts for carbon-free energy. 

The city is on track to meet 92% carbon-free energy and exceed the state’s carbon-neutral mandate well ahead of schedule.

Before joining the City, he served as a California appellate justice and as chief operating officer of Santa Clara County. Despite his credentials, city officials said he consistently emphasized humility and collaboration during his time at City Hall.