The Central City Association representing downtown property owners and businesses announced Wednesday that it has expanded its governing board to 15 members and has adjusted its advocacy priorities to include more of a focus on housing and addressing homelessness.
Until now, the Central City Association’s board has had eight members and is chaired by Martha Saucedo, an executive with AEG. The seven added board members include two lawyers, a nonprofit executive and a downtown resident.
“Expanding the board brings a greater diversity of voices by including a Downtown resident and leaders in the broader community,” said Jessica Lall, who took over the association’s chief executive post late last year. “We thank our board members for their dedication and service as we build on DTLA’s success with a new vision and agenda to create an environment where businesses, residents, nonprofit organizations and institutions can thrive.”
The seven new members include:
• Carl Cade, asset manager for Tribune Real Estate Holdings;
• Javier Cano, general manager of the JW Marriott Los Angeles hotel at L.A. Live;
• Garrett Gin, senior vice president of global marketing, Bank of America;
• Noel Hyun, associate, Liner LLP and a downtown resident;
• Edgar Khalatian, partner with the law firm Mayer Brown
• Hilary Norton, executive director, FAST (Fixing Angelenos Stuck in Traffic); and
• Lupita Sanchez Cornejo, director of external affairs for AT&T.
In addition, the board announced that its advocacy priorities now include a more intense focus on housing and quality of life issues, as well as solutions to reduce homelessness. The change in focus reflects the emergence of downtown in recent years as a residential community.
“These priorities for CCA’s advocacy reflect our new leadership and vision for building a community in Downtown and bolstering the region’s economy,” said Tom Gilmore, the association’s vice chair. “Advancing our advocacy agenda will strengthen DTLA and the region by creating housing at all income levels and the high-quality jobs we need for sustained growth.”
Public policy and energy reporter Howard Fine can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @howardafine.
