Marisa has dedicated her entire career to serving the Burbank community. She started working with the City of Burbank in 1991 as a Work Trainee at Burbank Water and Power (BWP). Over the course of twelve years at BWP she held various administrative positions. In 2002, she advanced to Administrative Analyst II in the Public Works Department where she was instrumental in expanding the City’s alternative fuel program.
Ms. Garcia joined the Parks and Recreation Department in 2005 serving in the capacity of Senior Administrative Analyst, Administrative Officer, Deputy Director and most recently Assistant Director.
In 2019, Ms. Garcia was appointed the Park, Recreation and Community Services Director. In this position she oversees the Department’s four divisions: Administration, Landscape and Forestry Services, Recreation Services, and Community Services leading a team of nearly 300 employees. The Department has 41 public parks and facilities, including an 18-hole golf course, year-round aquatic facility, outdoor amphitheater and nature center; and offers year-round child care programs as well as a variety of recreation and volunteer programs for community members of all ages.
Ms. Garcia is a life-long Burbank resident, and graduated from John Burroughs High School. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from California State University, Northridge (CSUN).
Ms. Garcia is a member of the National Recreation Parks Association, California Parks and Recreation Society, and Municipal Management Association of Southern California.
