New Finance Department Director Appointed by City Manager

– Courtesy Photo

City Manager Michael J. Beck Sept. 16th announced the appointment of Matthew E. Hawkesworth as the new Director for the Pasadena Finance Department. As the Finance Director, Hawkesworth will be responsible for the administration and operation of the Finance Department, including overall financial management of the City, accounting, debt management, investments, purchasing and payroll. He is expected to begin his duties effective Oct. 5, 2015.

Hawkesworth’s appointment caps an eight-month nationwide recruitment process by the City and he is the second new department director recently hired by the City. Earlier this month, City Manager Beck announced his appointment of Michael Johnson as the new Director for the Pasadena Public Health Department. The City is also in the process of hiring several other department directors, including Public Works, Human Resources, Human Services and Recreation and Water & Power.

Hawkesworth has been the Assistant City Manager for Rosemead, California, since 2007, overseeing the Finance, Human Resources, Public Works, Technology and Risk Management departments. Previously, he was the Finance Director/Treasurer for the City of Claremont, California, for three years and worked in a variety of positions for the City of El Monte, California for nine years.

“Mr. Hawkesworth brings strong managerial and financial experiences to help restore public confidence in our financial operations,” City Manager Beck said. “His experience overseeing departments and personnel at various levels will add to our existing Executive Leadership Team.”

Hawkesworth said he is “honored to have been selected to serve the Pasadena community” as Finance Director. “I’m looking forward to joining the City Executive Leadership Team and serving the residents and businesses of the remarkable City of Pasadena.”

Hawkesworth, an avid racing bicyclist, also has a humanistic side, demonstrated by his founding of an organization in 2011 dedicated to providing refurbished bicycles and new helmets to low-income and at-risk youth in an effort to promote a healthier and more active lifestyle. So far, the group, One More Move, has provided about 500 refurbished bicycles to children in Southern California, he said.

Hawkesworth has a bachelor’s degree in social science (economics and political science) from the University of La Verne. He has completed numerous advanced courses in finance and accounting through the Government Finance Officers Association. He is a graduate of the Claremont Leadership Academy, sponsored by the Claremont McKenna College Kravis Leadership Institute. He is married to Danielle and they have two daughters, Katie, 15 and Emma, 12.

The maximum annual salary for the Director of the Finance Department is $199,799, according to information on the City’s website. Contract terms will be finalized prior to the start of his formal duties.

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