City of South Pasadena Welcomes New Public Works Director

Shahid Abbas, a 20-year veteran of municipal and county governments who holds advanced degrees in civil engineering, management and planning, has been hired as the City’s new public works director.

In his new position, Abbas will oversee day-to-day operations of the public works department, including streets, parks and facilities maintenance, lighting and landscaping, water and sewers, as well as capital improvement projects and environmental sustainability programs.

Abbas joins the South Pasadena team after leading the public works division for the City of Sunnyvale, California, since 2015. Prior to that, Abbas served in engineering, environmental, and public works management positions for the County of Arlington, Virginia, and Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Throughout his career Abbas has overseen hundreds of millions of dollars in capital improvement projects related to streets, roadways and bridges, water treatment and sewer facilities, bicycle and pedestrian-friendly improvements, civic facility construction and more.