Why Did Mike Futrell Withdraw From Pasadena City Manager Role? (Photo – Graphics Dept.)
A sudden reversal has reshaped Pasadena’s leadership plans: Mike Futrell has announced he will remain in his current role as city manager of Riverside, declining the same position in Pasadena.
By Rena Kurlander
The decision comes just days after the Pasadena City Council publicly announced Futrell’s appointment on April 15, with an anticipated start date of May 13. At the time, the move appeared settled, even prompting a public expression of excitement from Futrell’s wife about relocating to Pasadena.
However, events took an unexpected turn. A special City Council meeting was scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 3:20 pm, with a closed-session agenda focused on “public employee employment.” By Saturday morning, that meeting was abruptly canceled.
Shortly after, at 12:09 pm, a formal statement from Mayor Victor Gordo and the City Council confirmed the change:
“Today, April 25, City Manager candidate Mike Futrell informed the Pasadena City Council that he has decided to remain in his current position in the City of Riverside and will withdraw from further discussions with the City of Pasadena. The Council respects his decision and wishes Mike the very best. Interim City Manager Matthew Hawkesworth will continue to serve in his current role as the Council determines its next steps to select a new City Manager.”
The abrupt withdrawal raises questions about what led to Futrell’s change of heart. Public records indicate he previously served as a state director for a Republican member of Congress from Louisiana. His experience as city manager in South San Francisco and Riverside suggests familiarity with political environments that differ from Pasadena’s increasingly liberal electorate, often compared to cities like San Francisco and Santa Monica.
Speculation has emerged about whether internal concerns or political dynamics played a role. Councilmembers would likely have been aware of his candidacy earlier in the process, including during a March 7 special closed-session meeting to discuss a public employee appointment. That meeting—held early on a Saturday morning and involving teleconference participation from Councilmember Steve Madison—drew attention for its timing and format.
The sequence of closed sessions and rapid developments suggests the council may have been moving quickly to finalize a hire. Whether additional information surfaced after the April 15 announcement, or whether disagreements emerged among councilmembers, remains unclear.
For now, the immediate impact is clear: Matthew Hawkesworth will continue serving as interim city manager beyond the previously expected transition date of May 13.
As Pasadena restarts its search, questions linger about what changed behind the scenes—and whether further details will come to light in the weeks ahead.
READ MORE: Pasadena Council Faces Renewed Questions Over City Manager Search Process.
Sounds like Mrs. Futrell — oops Freeman— says as much in the interview she gave to the riverside press enterprise last week. She basically states that someone maliciously forwarded the letter (which she characterizes as unfounded, misleading and inaccurate) from riverside city council to the city of Pasadena causing harm to herself and her family. The article also shares the letter and other communication between city leadership and herself.
Sad that after being asked in such clear terms to excuse herself from the business of a city she claims to care about, she is still speaking loudly and publicly in negative and accusatory terms about the elected city officials in the city newspaper.
Pasadena became aware and was in receipt of a letter that was sent from the Council of the City of Riverside to Mr. Futrell’s wife, Susan Freeman, that was essentially a cease & desist directive regarding her interference with and disruption to the staff of Riverside’s City Hall. It is quietly being disclosed that her interference and harassment got so bad that long-time city staffers actually resigned rather than put up with it.
She has a clear history of making narcissistic, abrasive, self-promoting, and judgemental statements, claims, and arguments, both in person as well as throughout local Riverside social media, including the City of Riverside’s Facebook page.
I would bet that Mr. Futrell didn’t “withdraw” his desire to work here in Pasadena. I believe the city saw the problems that would come with his position and said, “No thanks”.
Dodged a bullet for sure.
Sounds like Pasaden dodged a bullet