South Pasadena Names Armine Chaparyan City Manager

The South Pasadena City Council has unanimously voted to hire Armine Chaparyan as city manager, officials announced Friday.

The installation followed four community focus groups, input from 31 local community leaders and a search by an executive recruiting firm, city officials said in a written statement.

“Following candidate screening, and two rounds of City Council interviews, and a well-received April 28 virtual community forum with the final candidate, the City Council has unanimously appointed Armine Chaparyan to the City’s top administrative post,” according to the statement.

Chaparyan has 15 years of experience working in government, most recently serving as assistant city manager in San Gabriel, officials said.

Mayor Diana Mahmud welcomed Chaparyan to her new role.

““The City Council has an ambitious agenda for making South Pasadena even more special than it already is. We look forward to working with Armine to advance infrastructure projects and services that improve the quality of life of every South Pasadenan,” she said. “We know that Armine is very familiar with our city and looks forward to putting her energy and talent to good use in South Pasadena. We are excited to welcome Armine as our new City Manager.”

Chaparyan will begin work on May 31, replacing Interim City Manager Sean Joyce. Her starting annual salary will be $215,000.

The City Council previously selected another candidate, Christopher Jordan, for the position last month, but took him out of consideration in response to what officials described as concerns and opposition from community members. He had previously served as city manager in Los Altos and West Linn, Oregon.

Chaparyan graduated John Muir High School in Pasadena, officials said. She holds a B.A. from UCLA and master’s degree in public administration from USC.

Related:

Citing “Community Opposition,” South Pasadena City Council Abruptly Rejects Selection for New City Manager in Closed Door Session