Forty-four board members of the Valley Economic Alliance were sworn in Thursday morning at the annual meeting of the business-supporting organization.
The meeting, held at the Valley Relics Museum at Van Nuys Airport, featured presentations by officials from the five cities that are wholly or partly in the San Fernando Valley. Each official provided updates on developments and decisions in their respective cities. Burbank’s presentation was made by Mayor Jess Talamantes; Calabasas’ was made by longtime councilmember and former mayor James Bozajian; Glendale’s by Mayor Paula Devine; Los Angeles’ by Leila Lee of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, and San Fernando’s by Councilmember Cindy Montanez.
Los Angeles City Controller Ron Galperin administered the oath of office to 30 returning board members and 14 new ones. They will serve three-year terms. An additional 36 board members are currently serving terms that will expire in two years.
Board officers of the Economic Alliance are Fred Gaines, chair; Armida Colmenares-Stafford, first vice chair; Kathy McIntyre, secretary, and Thomas Ohlgren, treasurer. The vice chairs are Bill Allen, Tamara Gurney, John Parker, Jane Skeeter, Darnell Tyler and Kecia Washington. The president and chief executive is Sonya Kay Blake.
The Economic Alliance is a nonprofit that works with public and private stakeholders to improve the economic vitality of the Valley.