Former Pasadena Mayor Rick Cole is returning to City Government – in Los Angeles.

According to a statement released by the Congress for a New Urbanism (CNU), Rick Cole is leaving the CNU in December to accept a position as the Deputy Chief Controller for the city of Los Angeles. 

“As I return to local public service, I’m excited for the future of CNU,” Cole said in a prepared statement. “I look forward to seeing everyone in Charlotte next year. I am deeply grateful for an incredibly enriching 18 months working with the architects, planners, builders, engineers, officials and activists who every day are on the ground fighting sprawl and creating the livable and sustainable places everyone deserves.” 

Cole served 12 years on the Pasadena City Council and served as mayor before the charter was rewritten allowing for an elected mayor.

During that time council members rotated into the mayoral position.

He was appointed to the Planning Commission in July by Councilmember Jess Rivas. 

Last year Mayor Gordo appointed Cole as a special housing advisor to the Mayor.

In that role, Cole advises the Mayor on matters relating to housing issues—including the work of the newly established housing task force.

Cole previously served as the City Manager of Azusa, Ventura, and most recently Santa Monica.

The CNU praised Cole for his work. Over the past year and a half, Rick Cole has reconnected CNU with key partners in the urbanism field and increased the support and engagement of the Chapter network. He has renewed the focus on key directives of the Strategic Plan: honing CNU’s focus on diversifying neighborhoods, designing for climate change, and legalizing walkable places. Among his many accomplishments, he is leaving CNU in strong financial shape, with a more versatile and diverse staff. 

The Board of Directors unanimously voted to name Mallory Baches as the incoming President and Margaret Gattis as the Executive Director in a new shared leadership model that will steward the organization into the future.