Ronda Perez is Palmdale’s new city manager, officials announced on Feb. 3. Perez joined Palmdale in the fall of 2021 as assistant city manager and was named acting city manager in Dec. 2021 before being appointed to the role of interim city manager in March 2022.
In a closed session on Jan. 11, the Palmdale City Council provided a unanimous (5-0) vote declaring a positive performance evaluation of Perez. The council met again in a closed session on Jan. 18 to discuss permanently filling the city manager position.
They agreed that Perez should be appointed city manager, thus removing the interim title. The hire is a distinct milestone because it is the first time women have occupied the mayor, mayor pro tem, and city manager positions in Palmdale’s 60-year history.
“It is an honor to continue to serve the residents of our community,” Perez stated. “I look forward to working with our mayor, city council, city staff, and community partners to usher in a new innovative future for Palmdale.”
The city council approved a three-year contract ending Jan.18, 2026, with two options of two-year extensions. Previously, she served as the executive director of Antelope Valley Economic Development and Growth Enterprise (AV EDGE).
Perez also served in various roles within local government for more than 14 years, including parks, recreation, arts director, and assistant city manager.
Perez earned a master’s degree in criminal justice from California State University, Long Beach, as well as dual bachelor’s degrees in political science and criminology, law, and society from the University of California, Irvine.
