Ardashes “Ardy” Kassakhian Selected as Mayor of Glendale
Glendale, CA – Glendale City Councilmember Ardashes “Ardy” Kassakhian was selected to serve as the City’s Mayor at the April 14, 2026, City Council meeting. He will succeed outgoing Mayor Ara Najarian and assume the Mayorship role at the April 21st meeting of City Council.
This marks Kassakhian’s second term as Mayor, following his first year in the role in 2022–2023. A longtime Glendale resident and dedicated public servant, Mayor Kassakhian brings decades of institutional knowledge and community leadership to the position.
A product of Glendale public schools and a resident since 1986, Mayor Kassakhian previously served as Glendale’s elected City Clerk for 15 years before being elected to the City Council. His public service career has been defined by a strong commitment to transparent government, civic engagement and accessibility, and resident engagement.
Throughout his public service career, Mayor Kassakhian has held a number of state, regional, and local leadership roles. He was appointed by the California Senate Rules Committee to serve on the California New Motor Vehicle Board, where he served in multiple leadership capacities, including as board’s President. Secretary of State Alex Padilla also appointed him to the Language Accessibility Advisory Committee to help increase voter participation.
Mayor Kassakhian currently serves on the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board of Directors and is an alternate representative to the Arroyo Verdugo Communities Joint Powers Authority. Most recently he has been elected to the Southern California Association of Governments Regional Council representing District 42, where he helps shape transportation, housing, and sustainability policy across the region. He also teaches Political Science as an adjunct instructor at Glendale Community College.
“It is my hope that we continue working toward a culture of respect and purpose—where differing viewpoints are shared constructively, and where the Council chamber reflects not only our differences, but our collective commitment to the city we serve,” said Mayor Kassakhian. “As Mayor, my role is not to assert authority, but to foster meaningful dialogue, guide thoughtful decision-making, and help set a tone grounded in accountability.”
City Manager Roubik Golanian stated, “Mayor Kassakhian brings deep knowledge of Glendale’s history, strong regional relationships, and a thoughtful approach to governance. I look forward to working together in the year ahead as we continue advancing the City’s priorities and delivering exceptional service to our community.”
Mayor Kassakhian graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts in History and received his Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University. He also attended the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where he completed the Certificate Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government, and was a Coro Public Affairs Fellow.
Mayor Kassakhian and his wife, Courtney, live in the Pelanconi neighborhood of Glendale with their son.
