Delivering Relevant News to Pasadena

Lisa Derderian (Photo – City of Pasadena)

Among City of Pasadena employees, none could be more important than our local Public Information Officer.

By Daniel Peters

Lisa Derderian has been the Public Information Officer of the City of Pasadena for the past six years and, in that time, has successfully spread truthful and relevant news to our local communities. But Derderian’s career did not start in Pasadena. It has covered all facets of public relations, including working for multiple TV shows and celebrities, and her career allowed her to travel as a part of the job.

In the beginning of her career, she worked for television shows such as Quantum Leap and Life Goes On, and she also worked with celebrities such as Jason Priestly.

“You’d take the cast members to New York for a weekend and then do back-to-back interviews while staying in the nicest hotels and flying first class,” Derderian said. “However, it was just nonstop craziness, and you didn’t get paid well.”

Because she lived in Pasadena, it made sense that she would find a job closer to home. When her son was born, it motivated her to do just that. After some time with the American Red Cross, a position opened with the Pasadena Fire Department. While there, Derderian took on the task of opening the PFD to media relations. She successfully started the Pasadena Fire Department’s social media accounts. “You need to talk to the media. That’s how you get information out. And building a relationship with the media helps with making sure all information is true,” she stated. “The more transparent you are, the better.”

After her time with the fire department, a position opened within Pasadena City Hall as their city’s Public Information Officer (PIO). She has been in that position for the past six years.

“I used to put out structure fires, and now I put out political fires,” she laughingly stated.

She described the citywide position as more thrilling, and it requires her to be on her toes constantly. She explained how it is always something different and allows her to explore various aspects of the city.

Whether working with actors like Jason Priestly, or with the Pasadena Fire Department, Derderian has been successful in all rights. The City of Pasadena knows they can trust her to deliver truthful and relevant news to our local communities.