Edward Eng, Executive Director

Mr. Eng is currently the Executive Director for the Economy and Efficiency Commission, an independent advisory Commission to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Prior to his career with the County of Los Angeles, Mr. Eng held several executive positions at the Los Angeles Times including: Vice President /Western Regional President, Director of Strategic Planning and New Business Development. Before joining the Los Angeles Times, Mr. Eng spent 15 years in the utility industry mostly at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) in various management positions including: Senior Marketing Manager, and Project Engineer. Mr. Eng earned his Bachelor’s of Science Degree from UCLA and was a registered professional engineer in the State of California. He received his first Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from California State University of Los Angeles, and earned his second Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University, with an emphasis in strategy formulation. Mr. Eng also taught strategy, marketing and management courses at UCLA and the University of Phoenix. Mr. Eng was a Board Member of News Corp’s Diversity Council, the ATM Group, and Joe Barter.com, LLC. Mr. Eng was elected as a Councilmember in the City of La Mirada on March 3^rd,2015. Mr. Eng, his wife Cathy, and their son Brandon reside in La Mirada.
Date of Hire: March 2008

First District

Supervisor Hilda Solis

John Anthony Schmitz

Retired after 38 years working at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Los Angeles Branch, Cash Department as a Project Manager/Systems Analyst supporting Electronic Banking Applications. Graduated from Marquette University with a bachelor’s degree in History specializing in ancient and medieval science and technology. Married to Reina Schmitz, retired Union Organizer with two daughters. I volunteer at the Earthworks Organic farm and am a member of LACLAA and an active member in my community supporting environmental projects, education and projects supporting the homeless.

Original Appointing Authority: Supervisor Hilda Solis
Current Appointing Authority: Supervisor Hilda Solis
Date of Original Appointment: March 2019

 

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  Joanne S. Saliba

Joanne Saliba worked in all aspects of non-profit special education as the Executive Director of Poseidon School in West Los Angeles. In 2012, she came out of retirement and worked as the Interim Executive Director of Charter High School of the Arts, Multi-Media & Performing (CHAMPS). Ms. Saliba served as the President of the Board of Directors of the California Association of Private Special Education Schools and as a member of the Executive Committee of the Modified Consent Decree with LAUSD. She served in a civic capacity as Chair of the Community Action Board with the City of Los Angeles. Ms. Saliba’s non-profit volunteer activities include as a former member of Colburn School of Performing Arts President’s Council; as a Founding Member and Board President of the 24th Street Theatre; as Division Manager of the East Valley Family YMCA 2016 Annual Support Campaign; as a Trustee of the International School of Los Angeles; and as the Foreperson of the 2016-2017 Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury. Currently, Ms. Saliba is on the Board of Directors of MUSYCA Children’s Choir and is the Vice President and Chair of Governmental Affairs for the Greater Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council.
Ms. Saliba resides in Toluca Lake with her husband, Reynold Blight, and is the mother of a son and two step-sons.

Original Appointing Authority: Supervisor Solis
Current Appointing Authority: Supervisor Solis
Date of Original Appointment: September 2008

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 Edward Munoz, Vice-Chair 

Mr. Edward Munoz is a process driven business leader with over 30 years of substantial experience in government relations, business development, six sigma, Integrated Product Teams(IPT's), labor/employee relations and community engagement for Fortune 100 and 500 Companies, including Raytheon, GM Hughes Electronics, and Hughes Aircraft Company. Edward also has governance experience as Chair, Executive Committee and Board Member of non-profits and trade associations including: California State Workforce Investment Board, California Manufactures Association; Arizona Educational Standards and Assessment Task Force, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce; and Core Southern California. Edward's focus throughout his career has been Economic and business development achieved through the promotion of defense, manufacturing and education policy and practice. He is a graduate of California State Polytechnic University - Pomona, and received a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. The Citizens' Economy and Efficiency Commission is charged with examining any operation of County government and makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors directed toward improving government economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

Original Appointing Authority: Supervisor Solis
Current Appointing Authority: Supervisor Solis
Date of Original Appointment: May 2015

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 Yolanda Rodriquez-Pena


I Currently serve on Azusa Unified School board of Trustees. I have served as past President of the AUSD Board of Education. I am retired 40 years of service from the Garvey School District as a classified employee working as an Instruction Aide, Office Clerk, and Attendance Technician, and CSEA Job Steward. My volunteer work: Co-Chair Azusa Leaders for Learning Education Foundation, President of Neighborhood Improvement, Treasurer of Azusa Beautiful, Board of Directors of Azusa Homework House, Director California Latino School Board Association, Secretary of Azusa Voucher Task Force we provide a hotel stay for a week for a family from Azusa Unified that become homeless due to hardships. Member San Gabriel Valley National Women’s Political Caucus. My family and myself have an annual children Christmas Party for the past 15 years. Children in my community receive hotdogs, face painting, arts & crafts and a gift from Santa it’s all free to the children in my community. I have four children and four grandchildren.

Original Appointing Authority: Supervisor Solis
Current Appointing Authority: Supervisor Solis
Date of Original Appointment: September 2018

 

Second District

Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas

Wilma Pinder

Wilma J Pinder retired in 2008 as an Assistant City Attorney from the Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney. During a stellar 30-year career she practiced Civil Litigation and successfully defended several Los Angeles (LA) City Departments and its employees. Ms. Pinder maintains her California (CA) law license in order to serve as a mentor to younger lawyers. She also consults and mediates matters of interest and remains active in local, state and national bar associations. In 2013 she was inducted into the Langston Bar Association Hall of Fame, joining the ranks of outstanding Greater LA attorneys and judges. She is a member of the American Bar Association, a Life Member of the National Bar Association, a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation (ABF) where she served on the ABF Board from 2000-2010, and a Co-Chair of the CA ABF Fellows. Ms. Pinder earned a Juris Doctorate from UCLA, entering law school when her three children were 6-10 years of age. One of her daughters has served for 22+ years as a LA Deputy City Attorney. Ms. Pinder holds a BA in Psychology from USC and a Master of Science in Psychology from Howard University, Washington, DC. She has been married for 50+years to Frank E. Pinder, M.D. They have enjoyed an exciting life that has taken them around the globe.


Original Appointing Authority: Supervisor Ridgley-Thomas
Current Appointing Authority: Supervisor Ridgley-Thomas
Date of Original Appointment: March 2016

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Robert Cole

President, Ground Zero Communications; Chair, Empowerment Congress West Area Neighborhood Development Council; President, Baldwin Hills Estates Homeowners' Association; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Association, Beta Psi Lamba Chapter; Deputy, California State Assembly, 1996-1997; Clerk, Katten Muchin Zavis & Weitzman, 1989-1996; Deputy, United States Congress, Honorable John Lewis, 5th District, 1987-1989; Education: JD, American College of Law; BA Criminal Justice, Morehouse College.
 

Original Appointing Authority: Supervisor Burke
Current Appointing Authority: Supervisor Burke
Date of Original Appointment: August 2005

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Ronald K. Ikejiri

Member City Council, City of Gardena; Chairman of the Council of Governments-South Bay Cities, Transportation Oversight Committee; Principal, Law Firm, Ronald K. Ikejiri; Former Partner, McGuire Woods Battle and Boothe, Washington, D.C.; Former Advisory Member to Department of Commerce; Department of Labor and Health and Human Services committees, Washington, D.C.; City of Gardena representative to the Southern California Association of Governments and League of California Cities; Past Chairman of LA County's Economy and Efficiency Commission; Alumni member UCLA School of Public Policy and Social Research; BA and Master’s Degrees from UCLA in Public Service/Public Administration, Juris Doctor from Northrop University; Member State Bar of California, United States Tax Court.

Original Appointing Authority: Supervisor Burke
Current Appointing Authority: Supervisor Burke
Date of Original Appointment: July 2002

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T. Warren Jackson, Vice-Chair

Retired, formerly Vice President and Associate General Counsel of DIRECTV, now part of the AT&T family, based in El Segundo, California. At DIRECTV Warren was responsible for all labor and employment law matters, including litigation, and served as a Chief Diversity Officer, Chief Ethics Officer and as a Human Resources Executive. He joined the Company, then known as Hughes Aircraft Company, after working as an employment lawyer at the international law firm of O'Melveny & Myers in Los Angeles. He currently serves on the Boards of the Constitutional Rights Foundation, the Riordan Programs at UCLA Anderson and the UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center. He formerly served on the Legal Committee of the Employers Group, and was appointed to serve on the Los Angeles Civil Service Commission and Police Commission (Mayor Riordan), the California Fair Employment and Housing Commission (Gov. Wilson), and the California Workforce Investment Board (Gov. Davis and reappointed by Gov. Schwarzenegger). Warren also was a deputy general counsel to the William Webster Commission, which reviewed and reported on the LAPD's performance during the April 1992 civil, disturbance in Los Angeles. In 2003 was elected to the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, and he has frequently written and spoken on these matters. Warren received his JD from Harvard Law and a BA from Cornell University; he has also completed the UCLA Executive Management Program and the Cornell University Human Resource Executive Program. Warren and his wife, Jackie Phillips-Jackson--who is also a lawyer, reside in Bel Air with their three children.

Original Appointing Authority: Supervisor Ridgley-Thomas
Current Appointing Authority: Supervisor Ridgley-Thomas
Date of Original Appointment: January 2017

 

Third District

Supervisor Shelia Kuehl

 Rebecca Doten, Chair

Ms. Becca Doten serves as the Assistant Deputy State Controller in the Los Angeles office of State Controller Betty T. Yee. She has worked in state and local government for more than ten years, specializing in policy, communications, and staff management. Ms. Doten is a sworn Reserve Police Officer with the Los Angeles Police Department, serves on the Board of Directors of the non-profit Students Run LA, and is a West Coast Partner with the Truman National Security Project. She has a BA in Film Production from the University of Southern California and in her free time she enjoys running, hiking, and participating in triathlons.

Original Appointing Authority: Supervisor Kuehl
Current Appointing Authority: Supervisor Kuehl
Date of Original Appointment: March 2015

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 Jeffrey Monical

Jeffrey W. Monical has served as the President and CEO of Lavell Communications, a strategy and communications consulting agency, for nearly 25 years. Lavell Communications clients include many of the state's largest peace officer associations, firefighter associations and general public employee associations in California.
Mr. Monical also provides strategy and issue development services for large private sector employee associations, including the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, representing nearly 8,000 Southwest pilots across the country.
Prior to starting his consulting business, Mr. Monical served as state legislative staff working on criminal justice issues, transportation policy and state budget measures in the California State Capitol.
Mr. Monical graduated from California State Fullerton with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science in 1984.

Original Appointing Authority: Supervisor Kuehl
Current Appointing Authority: Supervisor Kuehl
Date of Original Appointment: February 2015

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 Larry Kaplan

Larry Kaplan’s specialty is advocacy and public affairs---helping organizations advocate for their causes to advance their missions and reach their goals and objectives---and how organizations can strategize and fundraise for it. He shows non-profits, associations, collaborative and grant makers how advocacy can improve their impact and boost their fundraising. He provides executive coaching for advocacy leaders, helps advocacy organizations and collaborative fundraise, and offers them strategic planning and board development services.

Larry’s experience is in transformational management, especially for those organizations going through changes and operating in challenging environments. He has a thorough knowledge and wealth of relationships extending across Southern California's communities and leaders, and a solid understanding of their issues. He helps advocacy organizations fundraise, conduct strategic planning and build their boards.

Larry has turned around troubled non-profit organizations and started up new ones. He has built and maintained elected officials' offices, managed political campaigns, analyzed the impact of public policy, helped public agencies increase their effectiveness, and advised private companies on their philanthropic and civic responsibilities.

Larry has created parks and playgrounds in some of the region’s poorest communities, and has developed and led diverse workplaces. He is a problem solver, a "fixer." Most importantly, he is passionate about urban communities and social justice.

As the Los Angeles Area Director for the Trust for Public Land, a national land conservation organization, Larry managed its urban park program, and was instrumental in developing a new paradigm for urban parks and playgrounds. He was executive director of Workplace Hollywood, a non-profit dedicated to increasing the workforce diversity of Los Angeles' signature industry.

Larry was the CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, and helped a national civil engineering firm market its services to both public and private sector clients.

Larry’s career includes serving as Regional Director for U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, covering the state from the Tehachapi’s to the Mexican border, during her first term. He served a number of state and local elected officials, including L.A. Councilman Mike Woo in his first term.

Larry was born and raised in New York, but has lived in Los Angeles for years, so he has seen many profound changes. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Journalism. Larry regularly contributes to the Nonprofit Quarterly's daily newswire, and volunteers with the Taproot Foundation, providing guidance, coaching and counsel to various non-profit organizations.

Larry served on the California Board of Accountancy from 2011 to 2017, and on the Los Angeles County Local Governmental Services Commission from 2013 to 2018. In 2017, he was appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly to the Bar Examiners Committee of the California State Bar, and in 2018, he was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to the Economy and Efficiency Commission. He also chairs the board of Worksite Wellness Los Angeles.

Original Appointing Authority: Supervisor Kuehl
Current Appointing Authority: Supervisor Kuehl
Date of Original Appointment: February 2018

 

Fourth District

Supervisor Janice Hahn

  Constance S. Sullivan

Connie Sullivan retired from Los Angeles County's Chief Executive Office, as the Manager over Data Integration and Evaluation Services in 2008. Since leaving the County she volunteered for the Los Angeles County District Attorney for five years and the Palos Verdes Estates CARES program for two years. She currently is active with the Citizens Climate Lobby and South Bay 350.org.
Dr. Sullivan received her Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology from Purdue University and a Doctor of Public Health Degree in Epidemiology from UCLA.

Original Appointing Authority: Supervisor Hahn
Current Appointing Authority: Supervisor Hahn
Date of Original Appointment: April 2017

 

  Jacob Haik

Original Appointing Authority: Supervisor Hahn
Current Appointing Authority: Supervisor Hahn
Date of Original Appointment: August 2017

 

 

 

 

  Velveth Schmitz

Velveth Schmitz was elected to the Rolling Hills Estates City Council in 2015 and is serving her first term as a council member. She has over 12 years of volunteer experience with the City of Rolling Hills Estates. She has served on various committees and was a commissioner on the Parks and Activities and Planning Commissions. She was chair of the Planning Commission in 2012.

Velveth was the Chief Operating Officer for Athletes’ Renaissance. She was Vice-President at Invent Ventures, Inc. and head of Business Development at Stockr, Inc. She served as Founder and CEO of The Hen and The Bird, Inc. Velveth was a manager in Product Development and Client Management at Transamerica Retirement Services.

Velveth is currently a Trustee for an independent school. She is on the board of National Charity League, Inc. She has served on the Cal Alumni Association board for the University of California Berkeley and has been appointed by the Chancellor to various task forces and strategic initiatives.

Original Appointing Authority: Supervisor Hahn
Current Appointing Authority: Supervisor Hahn
Date of Original Appointment: March 2018

 

Fifth District

Supervisor Kathryn Barger

Isaac Diaz Barcelona, Chair-Emeritus

District Director for Senator Steve Knight, 21st Senator District; Former President & CEO of the Palmdale Chamber of Commerce; Palmdale School District Public Relations Director for 12 years until 2003; 2008 AVRA President; President & CEO of Barcelona Consulting, Entertainment & Productions Group; Co-Founder and past President of the Antelope Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 1997-2000, current 2009 Director of Public Relations; Past, two-term, President of Public Relations Officials of the Antelope Valley (PROz Organization); Toured and performed as an entertainer, writer, musician and producer for 28 years; Published weekly columnist for past 18 years in major English & Spanish newspapers and magazines; Editor, writer, co-producer & Host of “Shaping the Future”, a weekly television and radio program on Adelphia Communications and High Desert Broadcasting; Listed in Who’s Who ’89, ’93, and ’94; Married to Shawny, six children, fifteen grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren!

Original Appointing Authority: Supervisor Antonovich
Current Appointing Authority: Supervisor Antonovich
Date of Original Appointment: March 2001

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Benjamin Everard

Ben Everard is currently Chief Operating Office of Grey Matter Productions, an entertainment company producing feature films and television projects. The company recently produced the film LIGHTS OUT with New Line Cinema. Previously, he was Co-Founder of Bon Aire Productions, which produced the television show HANG MEN for the Discovery Channel. Everard began his career in Los Angeles working at the law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan. He attended law school at the George Washington University Law School, and did his undergraduate studies at the University of Miami, where he graduated summa cum laude and phi beta kappa. Everard also serves on the board of FilmLA, the nonprofit entity tasked with film permitting in Los Angeles, and is on the Los Angeles chapter board of Gen-Next. He is married with two children.

Original Appointing Authority: Supervisor Antonovich
Current Appointing Authority: Supervisor Antonovich
Date of Original Appointment: November 2015

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Steven Ward

Comissioner Ward is a senior manager with Pavement Recycling Systems Inc. an employee owned company; the largest provider of specialty asphalt milling and recycling services in the Western United States, Mr. Ward is responsible for management of the business development/project estimating operations in PRSI’s Central Ca. and Nevada milling and restructuring markets. Prior to too assuming his current position Steven was owner/managing partner of West Coast Milling Inc. until its merger with PRSI in 2003. Mr. Ward is currently serving as an executive board member of the Antelope Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Steven served as an avionics technician in the U.S Naval Reserve receiving his honorable discharge in 1984. Steven and his wife, Deana Carter, reside in Palmdale. There is seldom a dull moment as Deana is a member of the Board of Directors for the Antelope Valley Fair creating many opportunities for volunteering their time as well as keeping up with the two children and six grandchildren they enjoy time with in both Palmdale and Long Beach.

Original Appointing Authority: Supervisor Antonovich
Current Appointing Authority: Supervisor Antonovich
Date of Original Appointment: January 2014

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Albert Abkarian


Original Appointing Authority: Supervisor Kathryn Barger
Current Appointing Authority: Supervisor Kathryn Barger
Date of Original Appointment: March 2019

 

 

Theodore “Ted” Smith

Theodore “Ted” Smith
 

Retired Imaging Application Administrator in the Medical Imaging field with a specialty in Radiologic Imaging for a major Medical Health Care Company since 1967. At the corporate facility Ted was responsible for all of Southern California from Lancaster / Bakersfield to all of San Diego. Area coverage included all of Riverside, Orange, and San Bernardino County. It was not unusual to work multiple shifts to complete extensive and detail tasks. Patient care was a 24/7 coverage with precise support in expeditious time.

Ted served in the Los Angeles City Fire Department in Fire Suppression and Rescue, Fire Support Services and Fire Inspection and Prevention. Ted promoted thru the ranks with full service honors and awards. Major incidents included the horrific morning of September 11. With a Bachelor’s degree from California State University in Fire Services and another Degree in Radiology has kept Mister Smith’s focus on education as primary for teaching adults and youth of all ages.

Original Appointing Authority: Supervisor Hahn
Current Appointing Authority: Supervisor Hahn
Date of Original Appointment: September 2017

Married before the turn of the century with hobbies in fitness of both mind and spirit has been a primary listing of accomplishments

Ted has completed several petit criminal and civil juries. Ted was appointed Foreperson of the 2017 – 2018 Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury with full Recognition. Ted takes daily morning walks for internal inspiration.

Ted devotes time working with investment analysis, and community organizers.