Pasadena, CA – On Tuesday, the Pasadena Center Operating Company (PCOC) named Assistant City Manager Julie Gutierrez as the interim replacement for Michael Ross, who was placed on paid administrative leave last week, pending an investigation into a personnel matter. PCOC is a nonprofit organization responsible for managing the Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena Civic Auditorium and the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau. The city has declined to release any details about the investigation.
The appointment of Gutierrez came after a closed executive session by the PCOC Board. She currently sits on the PCOC Board as a representative of the city manager. Gutierrez will temporarily relinquish the board seat while working as acting CEO.
After joining the PCOC in 2006, Ross played a key role in the $150 million Pasadena Convention Center expansion, which was completed in February 2009.
Prior to PCOC, Ross served as CEO of Team San Jose, a nonprofit public-private partnership that operates the San Jose Convention Center, the Center for Performing Arts and the Civic Auditorium. Ross has also served as general manager of the Sacramento Convention Center Complex and director of the Harborside Convention Complex in Fort Myers, FL.
Reach William Boyer, Public Information Officer, City of Pasadena, at (626) 744-4755 or wboyer@cityofpasadena.net
