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Thomas F. Clarke, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers
CHAIRMAN
Tom Clarke is a Tax Partner with PwC and has been with the firm over 20 years serving clients in the technology and government contractor sectors, as well as other industries. Tom has a broad background in all areas of taxation, and has assisted his clients with working through new legal entity structures, revamping their compliance/provision process and capitalizing on newly legislated tax benefits. Tom also leads a regional team focused on tax department effectiveness and is the Tax site leader in PwC’s Orange County office. He chairs PwC’s Southern California CFO Forum and regularly meets with leading CFOs in the area to discuss pressing issues. Tom has a BA in Business Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in California and is a member of the AICPA, and the California Society of CPAs.
Craig Russell, Chief Design & Project Delivery Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering
PAST CHAIRMAN
Craig Russell serves as the co-executive leader of Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI), the creative delivery arm of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. In his role as Chief Design and Project Delivery executive, he is responsible for the design, engineering, production, installation and project management functions for Imagineering Theme Park & Resort projects around the world. In addition, Craig is responsible for WDI’s legal, contracts, facilities and operations teams. During his 27 year tenure with WDI, he has led the design—from concept through opening—of some of Imagineering’s biggest, most complex and highly successful projects, and worked on the preliminary design of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris.
He is an active leader and participant in Disney’s volunteer program, and served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFH GLA) for three years. He received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Systems from UCLA.
Michael Lang, Entertainment Executive
VICE CHAIR
Michael Lang is an accomplished media executive with strategy, operating and business development experience. He has worked both at the largest global media companies (News Corporation and The Walt Disney Company), as well as being at the forefront of emerging digital media (MySpace, Hulu and Internet start-ups). He has direct experience in all segments of the business from cable, broadcast TV, film, Internet, video gaming and mobile — and has been actively involved in the major strategic shifts occurring in the industry over the last 20 years. Lang was Executive Vice President, Business Development and Strategy for Fox Entertainment Group where he identified and negotiated potential acquisitions, joint ventures as well as supported strategic initiatives across News Corp’s entertainment assets. Most recently, Lang was the CEO of Miramax. Lang attended the Harvard Business School, graduating with high distinction as a Baker Scholar. He is also a graduate of Claremont McKenna College, where he serves on the Board of Trustees.
Jennifer Livingston, Senior Vice President, Division Manager, Residential Lending Division, Union Bank
SECRETARY
Jennifer Livingston has been in banking since 1980 with a primary focus on mortgage lending side. She spent her early banking career in Operations and Management with the Savings & Loan industry. Jennifer joined Union Bank in 1992 as a Mortgage Branch Manager and is currently in charge of the sales team for all of Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Kern counties. She previously served on the Board of Directors for the Foundation for Community and Family Health. Jennifer attended Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington.
Gerard Bross, Owner, Hollywood Sierra Kitchens
Gerard (Gerry) Bross is Co-Owner of Hollywood Sierra Kitchens, Inc., a Los Angeles based custom kitchen and bath design firm that he established with his partner, Peter Grisdela, in 2004. Gerry joined the firm full time as business director in 2007 after working 22 years in managed healthcare. At the time of his retirement from his corporate career, he held the position of Vice President of Operations, Network Management at WellPoint, Inc., the nation’s largest managed health insurance company. He is a co-founder and secretary of the La Cienega Design Quarter, a vibrant design district in the area surrounding his showroom where local businesses offer high-end furniture, furnishings, art and antiques. As a board member of HFH GLA, Gerry encourages his clients to donate their old kitchens and kitchen material to HFH GLA’s ReStores diverting these materials from local landfills, while furthering Habitat’s work. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in Health Services Administration from The George Washington University.
Dan Burgner, Executive Vice President of Strategic Alliances & Entertainment, Caruso Affiliated
Dan Burgner is the Executive Vice President of Strategic Alliances and Entertainment for Caruso Affiliated. With over 30 years of diverse experience in real estate development and management with top nationally recognized companies, Dan joined Caruso Affiliated in 1995 and founded this new division of Caruso Affiliated in 2007, where he leads, creates and directs the growth of this unique business unit. The division continues to set new standards in the areas of fully integrated and immersive brand experiences and events, revenue generation and new business platforms stemming from technology and broadcast opportunities. Prior to his current role, he was the Executive Vice President of Asset Management & Specialty Income and Senior Vice President of Operations where he successfully led the openings and operations of iconic centers such as The Grove in Los Angeles, The Commons at Calabasas and The Promenade at Westlake. Prior to joining Caruso Affiliates, Dan oversaw the community and neighborhood properties of the Irvine Company as VP of Hollis & Associates and the Portfolio Director of The Carlson Company. His career began in real estate development where he managed and developed industrial, R&D, hotel and retail properties with the Dillingham Corporation and Trojan Enterprises.
Celine Cordero, Director of External Affairs, Los Angeles World Airports
Bio to come.
Ronald Frank, Partner, Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP
Ron Frank is a Partner and Chair of the Litigation Practice Group at the law firm Burke, Williams & Sorensen. His practice includes defense of suits brought against employers, municipalities, manufacturers, and both companies and individuals with contract disputes. Although he has tried over three dozen cases to verdict and worked on appeals all the way up to the Supreme Court, Ron also devotes a large part of his time to prevention of litigation and regularly counsels clients on anticipation and avoidance of the court system. He also performs internal investigations for public and private companies, especially in employment matters. Ron is the Board Secretary of HFH GLA and a member and longstanding supporter of the Zoological Society of San Diego and Los Angeles Philharmonic Association.
Carl Jordan, Senior Vice-President, US Bank
Bio to come.
Eva Kalawski, Partner & General Counsel, Platinum Equity
Bio to come.
Edward Lin, Marketing Manager, Warner Brothers Games
Ed Lin has spent the past 10 years in the video game industry. Currently working as a Marketing Manager at Warner Bros. Games, he is focusing his marketing efforts on the Core Original IP division. Ed’s past gaming work includes industry leading publishers such as THQ Inc., Activision, Vivendi Games (Now Activision/Blizzard), and Sony Computer Entertainment America. He spent his early career in advertising at TBWA Chiat/Day Los Angeles. Ed received his Bachelor of Science degree from Pitzer College and his master’s degree in Business Administration from the Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University.
Kim McManus, Executive Director, Awaken Humanity
Kim McManus is the Executive Director of Awaken Humanity, a non-profit organization founded on the belief that the world is changed by dreamers and visionaries. Awaken Humanity serves the purpose of history by maximizing the divine potential in every human being. Kim is an international speaker, ministering to women of all ages and walks of life from New Zealand to Germany and everywhere in between. Her faith has given her a passion for people and she is committed to the value that everyone has a critical need for a safe, secure and stable home. Her husband Erwin McManus is an author, lecturer and the lead pastor for Mosaic LA, one of the largest Christian Communities in Los Angeles with a global outreach to 60,000 people weekly.
David Mead, SVP, Transmission and Distribution, Southern California Edison
David Mead is the Senior Vice President of Transmission and Distribution for Southern California Edison (SCE), responsible for the operation and maintenance of SCE’s electrical grid across a 50,000 square-mile service area. Prior to his current role, he was the Vice President of Engineering and Technical Services at SCE. David has held a variety of executive leadership positions in his field and was responsible for planning, engineering and designing SCE’s transmission and distribution systems spanning the company’s service area. David earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University, Long Beach and a master’s degree in management from the University of Southern California.
Jeff Moore, VP, Senior Relationship Manager, Community Bank
Jeff Moore is the Vice President Senior Relationship Manager at Community Bank. His clients are closely held business entities engaged in a variety of industries and individuals engaged in professional services. In addition to his involvement with HFH GLA, he is also active in the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (“VICA”) a business advocacy group focused upon business and quality of life issues of the Greater Los Angeles Area, particularly that of the San Fernando Valley. Jeff is a graduate of Indiana University (Bloomington), Kelley School of Business.
Arnold Ng, President, Apex Commercial Real Estate Inc.
Arnold Ng brings a unique combination of commercial real estate, financial analysis, marketing and corporate business experience matched with a high degree of ethics and professionalism. He first started his commercial/industrial real estate career in the early 1990′s working for a local boutique firm completing sales and lease transactions representing owners and buyers. In November 2007, he was recognized as one of the top 8 commercial agents in the State of California. Arnold has been awarded the CCIM designation and is a Magna Cum Laude MBA graduate of Pepperdine University and former Adjunct Professor of Marketing a the Graziadio School of Business. He also has a BS from USC and is a former Board member of the Asian Business Association.
Matt Petersen, President & CEO, Global Green USA
Matt Petersen, Global Green USA President, CEO and board member, joined Global Green USA in 1994. He has designed and led Global Green USA, the only national environmental organization headquartered in Greater Los Angeles, with a social entrepreneurial approach. Matt has helped develop and guide the organization’s growing programs of eliminating weapons of mass destruction; fighting climate change; promoting green building and renewable energy; and ensuring access to clean water for all of humanity. He is a representative to the Council of Green Cross International, and has chaired the GCI Energy and Resource Efficiency Program. He is an advisor to the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and serves on the City of Santa Monica Environmental Task Force, the Environmental Media Association (EMA) Advisory Board, as well as the Automotive X Prize Advisory Board. Matt holds a BA in Political Science from California State University at Chico and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California.
Lori Raya, President, Vons, a Safeway Company
Lori Raya is President of the Vons Division of Safeway, where she has ultimate responsibility for 278 Vons and Pavilions stores and more than 25,000 employees in Southern California and Southern Nevada. Raya, who is the first woman President in the 106 year history of Vons and only the second woman to lead a Safeway division in all of North America, began her career with the grocery giant in 1987, as a Courtesy Clerk. Over her 25 years with Safeway, her duties and responsibilities have steadily expanded and she has served as a District Manager at Vons, Vice President of Retail Operations, Group Vice President of Deli/Food Service and Senior Vice President of Main Meals, Beverages/Snacks. Raya has been named to Progressive Grocer’s “Top Women in Grocery” listing for three consecutive years.
Linda Russell, Regional President/SVP, Wells Fargo
Linda Russell is the Regional President for the Wells Fargo South Coast Community Bank. She is responsible for more than 670 team members at 33 banking stores with deposits totaling nearly $3.8 billion. The South Coast Community Bank includes the South Bay communities of Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Torrance, Lawndale, El Segundo and the Palos Verdes Peninsula, as well as the communities of Westchester, Inglewood, and Culver City. A 27-year veteran of the financial services industry, she previously served as senior vice president and retail banking director responsible for the development and oversight of Wachovia’s Greater Los Angeles market and leadership team following the acquisition of Golden West. Linda was a Liberal Studies major at California State University, Long Beach and holds Series 6 and 63 licenses.
John Smet, SVP, Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, Capital Group Companies
John H. Smet is a Senior Vice President of Capital Research and Management Company, with portfolio counselor responsibilities in several fixed income funds within the American Funds Family. He manages part of American Balanced Fund, The Bond Fund of America, The Income Fund of America, Intermediate Bond Fund of America, U.S. Government Securities Fund, and American Insurance Series U.S. Government/AAA-Rated Securities Fund. He is a chartered Financial Analyst. John received a bachelor’s degree in Economics and an M.B.A, from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He also serves on the Board of the Catholic Education Foundation.
Masood Sohaili, Partner, DLA Piper
Masood Sohaili is a Partner in the Corporate and Finance group at DLA Piper. He has served as counsel on a wide variety of corporate, finance and restructuring transactions with healthcare, housing and infrastructure facilities. In addition to serving as a Board member for HFH GLA, he is also a Board member for the California Association for Affordable Housing. Masood holds a BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a MA, JD from the University of Southern California.
Jay Stark, Principal, JH Stark Companies
The JH Stark Companies is a diversified real estate development, investment and advisory firm that focuses primarily on socially responsible, urban infill residential and commercial real estate opportunities as well as sustainable and energy efficient developments in the Western United States. Prior to launching JH Stark Companies, Jay served as managing director and co-founder of Urban Private Equity Funds for Phoenix Realty Group and oversaw the development of over $2 billion of joint-venture developments throughout the United States. While there, he created the first socially responsible workforce housing fund backed by institutional investors. He serves on the State of California’s principal Affordable Housing Committee, the Department of Housing and Community Development’s (HCD) Local Assistance Loan and Grant Committee, where he oversees more than 20 state-wide affordable housing and infrastructure programs. Jay holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a master’s degree from the University of Southern California in Urban Planning and Real Estate Development.
Troy Thrower, Partner, The Woodward Group
Troy Thrower is the Founder and Managing Partner of The Woodward Group, a premier boutique executive search firm specializing in the placement of finance and accounting professionals in the Southern California area. After starting his career in public accounting and obtaining his CPA, Troy joined a national executive search firm and quickly became a top producer. He went on to start his own company in 1997 and has successfully serviced leading Southern California companies since that time. The Woodward Group’s clients include Fortune 500 companies, major motion picture studios, private equity firms and numerous other small to mid-size businesses in a wide range of industries. Troy received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from California State University Northridge.
Ken Walker, Partner, Ernst & Young
Ken Walker is a Partner with Ernst & Young LLP with more than 25 years of experience serving clients in the entertainment, media and technology industries. Ken is a Certified Public Accountant and was promoted to Partner in 1997. He serves large multinational companies as well as entrepreneurial enterprises in both advisory and audit related capacities. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from California State University Northridge.
Alan Wright, Vice President & Senior Commercial Banking Officer, California Bank & Trust
Alan Wright is a Senior Banking Executive with over 15 years experience in banking and finance. He currently managers complex banking relationships with middle market companies throughout the Greater Los Angeles area. Alan holds dual undergraduate degrees from UCLA and an MBA in Finance from Pepperdine University. Additionally, Alan is an adjunct professor teaching finance, economics and accounting at the undergraduate and graduate level.
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