Steve Mermell Selected to be Pasadena’s New City Manager

The City of Pasadena’s Interim City Manager Steve Mermell has been chosen by the City Council to become Pasadena’s new City Manager.

Mayor Terry Tornek made the announcement Monday night during the City Council meeting, after Councilmembers emerged from a closed door session.

Tornek said contract negotiations remained pending.

Mermell spoke briefly, saying he couldn’t decide if the day he came to work for the City of Pasadena was his happiest day or today, as he now moves into the City’s top position after working in a number of departments over the past 27 years.

Mermell, formerly one of two Assistant City Managers, had applied for top position along with a number of applicants following the departure of former City Manager Michael J. Beck. Beck left for a senior position at UCLA.

Mermell had filled the role of Interim City Manager since February 15.

Meanwhile, the City Council had engaged the services of an executive search company to find other qualified candidates for the permanent position through a nationwide search.

The process culminated with in-person final recruitment interviews with a number of candidates at City Hall on June 17 and again last week, on July 6.

This morning, former City Manager Michael Beck said he “couldn’t be more pleased for Steve Mermell and the City of Pasadena.”

“I congratulate the City Council on an excellent decision.  Steve understands the organization and the community.  He will be a positive influence both inside City Hall and in the community.  He is the right person to lead the City through its next chapter,” Beck said in an email.

Mermell has worked for the City of Pasadena since 1989. He began his career as an administrative analyst at Pasadena Water and Power. In the Finance Department, he served as Purchasing Administrator, Budget Administrator and Deputy Director of Finance before being promoted to Assistant City Manager, then in February, Interim City Manager.

Mermell lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Rachel, who is on the faculty of Los Angeles Mission College, and their two sons.