Leadership Long Beach

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25 Years of Leadership Long Beach

1,000 + Leaders A Quarter Century Of Service

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May

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Fo lea se

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BOARD OF S U P E RVI S O R S COUNTY OF LOS ANGELE S

822 KENNETH HA HAHN HALL OF ADMINISTRATIO TION/ N/ LOS LOS AN ANGELES Tele Telepho phone (213 LES, CA (213) 974-444 CALIF LIFOR ORN -44444 / FAX (213 NIA IA 900 9001 12 2 (213) 229-367 -3676

Mayor Bob Foster

DON KNABE

City of Long Beach

Su S upe perrvvis iso or, r, Fou Fourth rth Dis Distr tric ic t

May 2013

Greetings Friends, Gradu

ates, and Supporters of

Leadership Long Beach

:

gratulations to to extend my sincerest con re asu ple a is it , city at ersary. Since 1989, As Mayor of this gre ebrate their Silver Anniv cel y the as ders on ach Be ng Lo Leadership d both adult and youth lea has educated and engage ach. ach Be Be ng ng Lo Lo of ip rsh lity abi ade Le future and sustain the ing ect eff ues iss e important citywid ective successfully provided eff m, a adership Long Beach has the in ed till ins and s der For the past 25 years, Le ted principled lea nec con e n goal. hav t mo tha com ms a e gra iev ether to ach leadership pro commitment to work tog and de pri n, tio ica ded of sense ach ach, Leadership Long Be m in the City of Long Be p gra shi pro der p lea shi d der ple lea nci er pri mi As the pre ng people from its you and lts adu lly 0 tica 100 ias n s emerge to enthus has graduated more tha s sees more future leader ces suc of ach r Be yea ng h Lo eac programs, and grams: Leadership ip Long With their exceptional pro serve their community. tive Quick Start, Leadersh ecu Ex and , ach Be ng Lo ip personal , rsh ity ade egr e values of int Institute, Youth Le support praising their cor ng ndi sta out ed ner gar Beach has steeship. , courage, respect, and tru responsibility, diversity has t Leadership Long Beach ition to the positive impac work ogn d rec har l ir cia the spe a nd e me giv com to I want duates, and I applaud each of the gra d future. made within our City. ach toward a distinguishe Be ng Lo of y Cit the d lea g pin hel to n tio and dedica ship. commitment and leader celebrating 25 years of Congratulations again on

Dear Friends, I want to offer since re ccoongratula ulati tioons ns

to Le Leaaddeers rsh hip ip Long Beach on its 25 25th Anniversary.

Leadership hip Long Beach do es a rem re m ark a rk able job ed governme educating pe ment works, but mo peop ople le across sectors ab re im importantly, teach ou out how being an active, co es es them about leade ntributing me rship and the im memb mber er of the i m theiirr co portance of comm mmunity ity..

May you continue to engage adult ult and youth leade Beach and its susta rs on issues im inability. importa rtan ntt to the future of Long I appreciate your co mm mmitm itmen entt to our commun ma many goals. It is an ity and wish you all hono norr to salute Lead the best as you pursu ye yeaars ersh ship Long Beach in rs. e your recognit nitiion on of 25 wonderful

Warmest Regards,

Mayor Bob Foster City of Long Beach

Table Of Contents 4 Gov. George Deukmejian And Mayor Beverly O’Neill Discuss Leadership 4 Leadership Long Beach Honorary Board Of Governors 6 Leadership Long Beach History 6 Founding Member Gina Rushing Maguire 8 Leadership Programs 10 Leaders For Our Community 12 How Do You Define . . .

12 Putt Putt On Pine 13 Youth Leadership Program Continues to Flourish 13 Community Leaders Help Youth 14 Husband And Wife Team Anne And Bob Emigh, LLB Alums 14 A Year In Leadership Long Beach 18 Six Questions With Leadership Long Beach Executive Director Jeff Williams 18 The Next 25 Years “25 Years of Leadership Long Beach” has been prepared by the Long Beach Business Journal for Leadership Long Beach (LLB), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. For more information about LLB, please call 562/997-9194 or visit www:leadershiplb.org.

To contact the Business Journal, call 562/988-1222 or visit: www.lbbusinessjournal.com.

Thank You Advertisers A special thank you from Leadership Long Beach to the following companies and individuals for supporting this 25th Anniversary publication.

Ability Tri-Modal Bancap Self Storage Group Century Housing City of Long Beach, Gas & Oil Department Coburn, Jeff, Lee & Associates Creative Productions Emigh Dental Care Farmers & Merchants Bank The Kruger Family & Businesses Leadership Long Beach Board of Directors Leadership Long Beach Class of 2010 Long Beach Airport Long Beach Community Foundation Long Beach Day Nursery Long Beach Memorial, Community Hospital of Long Beach, Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach and Memorial Health System Spoo, Pam, Coldwell Banker Coastal Alliance Primal Alchemy Sides, Woody Sonnocco Investments Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services Westerly School A Legacy Of Leadership: Leadership Long Beach founding member Jim Ackerman, second from left, is pictured with Past Presidents and Alumni of the Year, from left, Jill Rosenberg (LLBI ’92), Gayle Clock (LLBI ’90), Dennis Smith (LLBI ’99) and Lou Anne Bynum (LLBI ’93).

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Gov. George Deukmejian And Mayor Beverly O’Neill Discuss Leadership 4

1989 The Promotion Begins: Over 100 people submitted applications to be a part of the inaugural LLB class. After long interviews and much debate, 30 were chosen for the first class that began October 1989.

Leadership Team: Patti Mitchell is selected as Executive Director, Peter Ridder is Board Chair, Vance Caesar and Regina Rushing (Maguire) are curriculum chairs.

1990 First Class Graduation: Notice to the community that Leadership Long Beach has arrived. Photos with titles and companies for the 30 graduates reflect the diverse class with a mix of business and community professionals ready to contribute their leadership skills to the city.

Beverly O’Neill grew up in the Long Beach public school system, starting from the Long Beach Day Nursery to her graduation from California State University, Long Beach. She earned a doctorate from USC and had a 31-year career with Long Beach City College, five of which she served as college president. O’Neill is Long Beach’s only threeterm, citywide elected mayor. She was initially elected in 1994, reelected in 1998 with nearly 80 percent of the vote and, as a write-in candidate, re-elected to a third term in 2002.

After a short period as a private practice attorney in Long Beach, George Deukmejian entered politics with his election to the state assembly in 1962. Four years later, Deukmejian was elected to the California Senate. He was elected majority leader of the state senate in 1969, and a year later ran for attorney general where he finished fourth in the Republican primary. In 1978, Deukmejian won the election for attorney general and served until 1983. In his last year as attorney general, Deukmejian ran for and won the office of the Governor of California. He served as the state’s 35th governor until 1991. Upon retirement, Deukmejian returned to practicing law for nearly a decade.

Governor Deukmejian and Mayor O’Neill serve on the Honorary Board of Governors for Leadership Long Beach. As distinguished leaders, role models and long time residents of the city, we asked them to share their thoughs on leadership.

LLB: Governor, how do you define leadership?

Deukmejian: Leadership is the effective articulation of goals that will encourage those involved in an organization or community to achieve their own goals and result in an improvement of their lives and that of their family or others in their group.

LLB: Why is leadership development needed?

Deukmejian: Without leadership, members of any group would have no common goals and would not be able to achieve much, if anything.

LLB: Tell us a little bit about your experience in leadership. What significant leadership roles have you held?

Deukmejian: I chose to become involved in the political arena to provide everyone with the opportunity to achieve their individual goals, including those of their families and community. I sought and was elected to various positions of leadership in the government to enable me to serve the public and create more opportunities for everyone.

LLB: What principles of leadership do you feel helped you in those leadership roles?

Deukmejian: Principles of leadership include trust, integrity, hard work, respect for everyone, including those who disagree with you, and a willingness to consider compromises.

LLB: Describe the significance of leadership in building community.

Deukmejian: Virtually everyone is engaged in activities to improve their lives and those in their families. They don’t have the time or the means to gather and analyze all of the facts on most important issues. Therefore, they follow leaders they trust, to develop and articulate responsible policies and positions that represent their views.

LLB: Why is Leadership Long Beach important to the community?

Deukmejian: Leadership Long Beach gives interested individuals the opportunity to learn more about the facts, issues and consequences of various actions enabling them to become leaders in our community who can be trusted to represent and lead others.

LLB: Mayor, how do you define leadership?

O’Neill: Leadership means inspiring others to commit their energy to a common purpose. If you can’t do this, you do not have a team.

This takes working with people in a positive way. A boss can tell you what to do; a leader inspires you to do it.

LLB: Why is leadership development needed?

O’Neill: Leaders cannot have power by themselves. Leadership development is needed. It is a skill. This is why Leadership Long Beach is so important for our community. Training leaders that understand our city.

LLB: Tell us a little bit about your experience in leadership. What significant leadership roles have you held?

O’Neill: I have been so lucky in the positions I have had: president of Long Beach City College and mayor of the City of Long Beach.

These are positions where I could feel total commitment. In both positions, I have worked with people who were eager to use their talents for a cause.

LLB: What principles of leadership do you feel helped you in those leadership roles?

O’Neill: It’s surprising how much you can accomplish when you don’t care who gets the credit. Leadership is action, not a position.

LLB: Describe the significance of leadership in building community.

O’Neill:Two quotes: “Any decent society must generate a feeling of community – Community affects loneliness – It gives people a virtually necessary sense of belonging.” – Alvin Toffler “In some measure what we think of as failure of leadership on the contemporary scene may be traceable to a breakdown in the sense of community.” – John Gardner LLB: Why is Leadership Long Beach important to the community?

O’Neill: Leadership in Long Beach, as in any large city, is important for any person who makes decisions that affect others. A leader’s ambition is first and foremost for the city and not themselves. The wider the community of your heart – the wider the community around you.

In Leadership Long Beach, you learn to understand your city. You learn to develop leadership skills, and apply them for the future and the betterment of our community.

LLB: Is there anything else you would like to add?

O’Neill: We should all do our share to contribute to the welfare and strength of this wonderful city. Our city has all the ingredients to succeed. In assessing cities, people look for qualities of safety, education, housing, jobs, recreation, climate and arts; and we have the ability for excellence in all. Leadership Long Beach helps us to achieve that goal.

LEADERSHIP LONG BEACH HONORARY BOARD First Alumni Chair:

Dean Keller

(LLBI ’90) serves as the first Alumni

Colleen Bentley (LLBI ’93) CSU Office of the Chancellor

Council Chair.

Jean Bixby Smith Bixby Land Company

1992 First LLB Alumnus Executive

Lou Anne Bynum (LLBI ’93) Long Beach City College

Director: Norm Reed, LLBI ’91, is named Executive Director of LLB. Reed served from 1992 to 1995 and served Long Beach in different levels

Dr. Vance Caesar The Vance Caesar Group Wendy Chang (LLBI ’98) Dwight Stuart Youth Foundation Gayle Clock (LLBI ’90) Community Hospital of Long Beach

and capacities before and after his time

Dr. Carl Cohn L.B. Unified School District

as ED. Reed was tragically killed in a car

Diane Creel Ecovation

accident in February 2001.

The Honorable George and Gloria Deukmejian 35th Governor of California Dr. Minnie Douglas (LLBI ’94) Long Beach City College Tom Farrand (LLBI ’08) Farrand Research Corporation Nancy Foster First Lady of Long Beach Brian Gimmillaro CSULB Jim Gray Beach Business Bank John Hancock Bancap Investment Group CJ Harmatz (LLBI ’01) Long Beach Memorial Medical Center

OF

GOVERNORS

Skip Keesal Keesal, Young & Logan

Mike Murray (EQS ‘F95) Verizon

Dennis C. Smith (LLBI ’99) Stratis Financial

Dr. E. Jan Kehoe L.B. Community College District

Dave Neary (LLBI ’95) Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles

Carolyn Smith Watts (LLBI ’01) Boloph's Specialty

Wayne Kistner (LLBI ’93) Attorney Ann and Gene Lentzner Community Volunteers Regina Rushing Maguire St. Anthony Catholic Schools Dr. Robert Maxson CSULB

The Honorable Beverly O’Neill Former Mayor of Long Beach Wilma Powell Port of Long Beach Peter Ridder Press-Telegram

Dr. Curtis McCray CSULB

Jill Rosenberg (LLBI ’92) Coldwell Banker Coastal Alliance

Dennis Moore (LLBI ’06) Sperry Van Ness

Judy Ross (LLBI ’90) L.B. Nonprofit Partnership

George Murchison Bess J. Hodges Foundation

The Honorable Eunice Sato Former Mayor of Long Beach

Henry Taboada City of Long Beach Doris Topsy Elvord Vice Mayor, City of Long Beach Dr. Mike Walter CSULB Christina Pizarro Winting (LLBI ’94) City of Santa Monica

IN MEMORIAM Dr. June Cooper RAdm. John Higginson Don Westerland

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for developing and inspiring passionate and eīecƟve leaders in the Long Beach community for 25 years!

Class of 1996 2001 Alumnus of the Year

562.714.7764 pamspoo@hotmail.com

Pam Spoo & Coldwell Banker Coastal Alliance

1650 Ximeno Ave, Ste 120 Long Beach, CA 90804 Each oĸce is independently owned & operated.

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Leadership Long Beach History 6

1994 Alumnus of the Year: Darrick Simpson, LLBI ’92, is named the first

Interviews With Founding Members Vance Caesar, Gayle Clock And Peter Ridder,

Alumnus of the Year. Darick is now the Executive Director of the Long Beach Community Action Partnership.

Class Of 1994 Project: The Midnight Basketball League formed a local chapter of the National Association of Midnight Basketball Leagues, Inc. (MBL). Providing alternatives for young adult males to avoid drugs, crime and other non-productive activities, this program was adopted by the Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Department.

1995 Executive Quick Start: The first Executive Quick Start (EQS) class started in Spring 1995. This program would provide a one-month condensed overview of the dynamics of the city. Over the first three years, programs were offered in the Spring and Fall and then annually until 2009.

New Executive Director: Daphne Ching-Jackson is named the new Executive Director. She serves until 1997.

Leadership Long Beach (LLB) was established in 1989 to fill a need for a community leadership incubator. Supported by several influential individuals and organizations across Long Beach, the foundation of LLB created a longstanding civic improvement program to facilitate the enhancement of the International City over the years.

Leadership Long Beach founding member and its first president, Peter Ridder, with Gayle Clock, who was a memThe founders of LLB are: James H. Ack- ber of the inaugural class in 1990. Clock was also the first alumna to serve as board president. erman, Dr. Vance Caesar, Brent Hunter, Dr. Curtis McCray, Gloria St. Michael, Peter Ridder, Gina Rushing and ing on it before coming down. We were protected. . . . The idea was to Donald Westerland. McCray and Ridder are also past presidents of LLB. be successful at something you didn’t think you could do, which is a According to Ridder, former publisher of the Long Beach Press- metaphor for the whole program.”

When the LLB Class of 1989 graduated, Clock said her cohort beTelegram, he and McCray, former president of California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), were having an informal discussion in came the new leaders of the organization. As volunteers, Clock and fall of 1988 when the topic of leadership came up. In their previous others decided the organization should incorporate teaching leadership jobs, Ridder said he and McCray were able to access leadership pro- with principles. “They were not principles like gravity, but we defined grams, which had an impact on their careers. The two thought a lead- what we thought were principles like integrity, respect, accountability ership program in Long Beach would be beneficial to existing and and trusteeship,” she said.

“We divided the teaching on the day that we got together. Half of it emerging leaders in the community, he said, and after soliciting the would be community oriented, and half of it would be about a principle. public they received an echo of approval.

“The initial idea was that we wanted to help develop leaders, to have We worked with the people who either spoke in the morning or the afemerging leaders learn about the community and have those men and ternoon, so that their discussion covered a principle in their presentawomen select the area of study they wanted,” Ridder said. “It was not tion and how that integrated with their program.”

Though there has been some refinement over the years, including a political leadership program necessarily, but it was involvement in rewriting the mission periodically, the program has stayed within the any area.” He said it was important to have political leaders, business same framework from the beginning and the leadership principles releaders and non-profit leaders represented in the program. main a core element of the program to this day.

To get the program up and running, Ridder and others talked to local Ridder said he and other founders had hoped this first class would businesses about investing in a leadership program. They asked for a be an advocate for future classes. “You really don’t know until you get $5,000 commitment per organization to put a leader through the prodone with it,” he said.

“They took the leadership into the second and gram for a year, and funds came in. They also needed funds to support the third and, subsequently, over the years, to a much higher level than scholarship programs for non-profit leaders and those who may have we thought would actually happen.

It was very gratifying for all of us difficulty affording the program, Ridder said. who were originally involved in setting up the program.”

And what is a program without a design? Vance Caesar, who helped create Leadership Miami nearly a decade before LLB, was tapped to develop the program. Caesar had been working with CSULB’s College of Business to develop a leadership curriculum for the college’s master’s program and used his skills from the university and Leadership Miami to craft the program that became LLB. I met with other Leadership Long Beach founders in Peter RidWhen applications for the first LLB class opened, Ridder said he der’s executive offices at the Press Telegram. was surprised the organization received 100 entries for the 30 available It was such a “power room,” all dark wood slots. “It was a very difficult selection process,” he said. “We whittled and a huge table with heavy chairs. I was it down to 50 and then eventually down to 30. There were a lot of peothe only woman on that Founding Board, ple who didn’t get into the first class, but many of them got into the before the regular Board of Directors was second class and maybe in the third class.”

Gayle Clock, the third president of LLB, was selected as a member formed a year or so later. We were defining of the first cohort – LLB Class of 1989. Clock said she remembers see- the program vision, gathering sponsors to ing an ad for the program in the newspaper and knowing right away fund the program and discussing criteria for that she needed to be a part of LLB. “I didn’t know anything about the selection of members of the first LLB Class. The curriculum was specifics of this program,” she said. “I just knew the idea they put out yet to be developed and we weren’t sure how training would that what they wanted to happen from the class was something that I play out. It was a little intimidating, creating something from wanted to be a part of in my community.” nothing with such a powerful group of people. But there was so The first cohort, like those that came after, met for a full day, once a much positive energy in that room, as well as hope for the future. month, for a year for orientations on different aspects of Long Beach – arts, education, transportation and so forth. A leader from each sector I think we all sensed that we were starting something that would benefit many emerging leaders in our community and serve our was brought in to teach the class and speak on the topic of the day.

City of Long Beach well over time. This has proven to be true.

The participants worked full-time, Ridder said. “One of the things This program affirms the most important lessons in life and we were not sure of initially was, would the employers agree to give the experience changes the participant’s life forever. The cumuthe participants basically a day off work 12 times a year,” he recalled, “in addition to the initial weekend bonding exercise – to get all 30 par- lative effect is very powerful, over so many years. So many lives ticipants, most of whom did not know each other, into a group where changed, the ripples that then move out into the community. It they could function and work together.” is always a pleasure to meet a Leadership Long Beach graduThat weekend bonding exercise is a retreat. According to Clock, the ate. I know I can count on them, I know they care, and I know cohort spends two days together practicing strategic exercises to teach they understand that actions speak louder than words. They are them how to cooperate with each other to make things happen. “The active, involved. They make a difference. culmination is a really scary thing,” she said. “For us, it was climbing – Gina Rushing Maguire is President of St. Anthony High School up a pole, then walking a distance, and then taking a trapeze and swing-

Founding Member Gina Rushing Maguire

Class Of 1995 Project: The Class creates a pilot program for Youth Leadership Long Beach. This project is the forerunner to the YLLB program that had two program year classes beginning in 1996 and then was revitalized in 2001.

Putt Putt: Putt Putt on Pine invades Downtown Long Beach for the first time.

Lisa Lick (Cochrane) and Carol Therrien (both LLBI ’94) heard of a similar event and proposed the idea to LLB to promote downtown and help raise funds for the organization.

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The Class of 2010 ϔ ϔ

Congratulates LEADERSHIP LONG BEAC BEACH H on its 25th Anniversary

& Anticipates 25 more years of Activating Engaged & Dedicated Community Leaders.

THANK YOU Century salutes Leadership Long Beach for 25 years of developing and connecting principled leaders.

It all begins with a home.

Call Century to see how we can help get your affordable housing project financed.

Aaron Wooler, Senior Vice President (310) 642-2019

Meta Housing’s Long Beach Senior Arts Colony houses 200 low-income seniors and other deserving residents thanks in part to $9,711,000 in Century acquisition financing.

centuryhousing.org

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8

Leadership Long Beach Institute (LLBI) Class of 2013. LLBI is the flagship program of the organization. This year marks the 24th Class for adult leaders.

Leadership Programs

1997 Youth Leaders: The first formal Youth Leadership Long Beach Class graduates.

The 100+hour Leadership Long Beach Institute (LLBI) program is offered annually from August through June. The program provides principled leadership development class sessions that emphasize integrity, vision, personal responsibility, commitment and community trusteeship. Through panel presentations and interactive communication/learning sessions led by community leaders, participants learn about current issues pertaining to the local economy, government, education, media, healthcare and social services, and get their information from the individuals and organizations that are making a difference in the city and the region.

LLBI provides the opportunity to meet and interact with a diverse group of individuals within their class, gain professional relationships within Long Beach and increase their ability to enhance their engagement with the community. The program helps create a bond for their classmates. The program participants will create and implement community service projects to address and bring about constructive change in the Long Beach community to further develop their leadership, teamwork and community trusteeship abilities.

Class Project Of 1997: Bricks by the Sea created a commemorative brick project to provide the community with the opportunity to be a permanent part of the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific. Raised over $150,000 for educational programs at the Aquarium.

New Award: James Ackerman, left, given the first Excellence in Leadership Award.

The Youth Leadership Long Beach (YLLB) program is modeled after a class of 1995 project for high school sophomores and juniors.

The seven-month program is designed to develop a cadre of high school students to take on leadership roles in addressing the issues confronting their peers as well as local civic issues. It empowers youth to accept roles as community trustees and learn the importance of solving the community’s challenges through individual responsibility.

YLLB selects students with leadership potential and leads the students toward increasing their skills and knowledge. The YLLB program accepts students who either attend schools in Long Beach or reside within the city. The program is free to the students, made possible

Connected Corridor

1998 New Executive Director: Janey Roeder (LLBI ’96) is named Executive Director. She serves until 2005 overseeing growth and expansion of LLB programs and activities.

With funds provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Transformation Initiative, the Long Beach Community Foundation (LBCF) funded Leadership Long Beach to manage the Atlantic Avenue Connected Corridor project and provide oversight from 2007 to 2011. LLB hired Project Director Carina Cristiano and set forth the mission, transforming neighborhoods into one community by creating connectivity and empowering stakeholders from the top of the town to downtown.

The Knight Foundation provided LBCF with $1.9 million for direct use in the Connected Corridor, including project management and grantmaking. The grants provided an opportunity for local people to develop and sharpen their skills in program planning, service delivery and program coordination. Small business owners, nonprofit and grassroots organizations benefitted from this seed money, and many developed or expanded their programs to include more stakeholders or partners. Project Director: Carina Cristiano; LLB Steering Committee: Colleen Bentley (LLBI ’93), Peter Bostic, Margaret Brewer (LLBI ’93), Anitra Dempsey (LLBI ’01), Jerry Miller, Antonio Pedro Ruiz (EQS ’07), Jeff Williams (LLBI ’08); LBCF Staff: Jim Worsham, Sandy VandenBerge, Dean Chow.

through the generosity of local foundation grants and funders who foster youth leadership development in Long Beach.

The BoardMatch program is a program created through the collaboration of Leadership Long Beach and Long Beach Nonprofit Partnership in order to build the capacity of greater Long Beach nonprofits with committed Leadership Long Beach alumni looking for additional avenues to serve the community with their skills and expertise. Both groups, the nonprofits and LLB alumni, receive training to align expectations and interests in order to make the match as compatible as possible.

The Executive Quick Start (EQS) series is a program designed to familiarize individuals with resources in Long Beach and provide access to the city’s leadership. It has been designed to produce a highlevel “Long Beach Overview” with information-intense sessions. It has been offered annually in March on four consecutive Wednesday evenings and a Saturday half-day historical bus tour of the city.

EQS creates opportunities to meet and interact with leaders of the Long Beach community, including government officials, and business executives, association officials and neighborhood leaders. EQS graduates know where to find people and resources that enhance their professional and personal experiences in Long Beach – connections that would normally take years to develop are formed in just one month.

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A LEADERSHIP JOURNEY Passion. Commitment. Dedication. is about modeling “theLeadership way and doing something— Leadership Long Beach does all this and more, especially the youth program.

”

Deborah Golian Castro, CEO/President, Creative Productions

Deborah Golian Castro believes in Long Beach. That’s why she has committed to building her business in Long Beach for more than 20 years, but this is only part of the story.

Where did it begin? Deborah worked her way through Long Beach City College, while running her first entrepreneurial venture at age 17. “LBCC played a big part of helping me build my confidence, because I had the opportunity to lead organizations, participate in local and state competitions, and to interact with professors who encouraged me,” recalls Castro. Deborah’s drive and determination fueled her desire to attend business school at USC. Fast forward to today. Her many interests and endeavors outside her business, all contribute to running a successful multi-million dollar integrated marketing agency, inspiring her to do more for the community she dearly loves.

After returning to USC and graduating with an Executive Master of Leadership in 2012, Deborah knew she wanted to do more to give back. First serving on a USC Marshall board, and currently beginning terms on both the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce board and the USC Board of Governors. Central to her civic engagement is the community where she and her husband Larry have raised their two children (Andrew and Dilyara).

I had a front row seat “I infelttheliketransformation of these exemplary youth’s lives, and my daughter was one of them!

”

An invitation to serve on the Leadership Long Beach Executive Committee from colleague Jim Kruger, Presidentelect in 2012, was the right invitation at the right time. While serving on the board, Deborah has had the opportunity to experience the program through her daughter’s eyes.

Leadership Long Beach has a unique experiential program that engages students where leadership takes place, in every corner of Long Beach. Plus, students are encouraged to give back through a service project.

Castro and her daughter Dilyara share the Leadership Long Beach experience.

“I am honored to be a part of Leadership Long Beach and its 25-year history of growing leaders who connect to serve Long Beach,” adds Castro. Damon Dunn community leader, accomplished business professional, and former NFL player, shared his leadership values and inspiration as the recent keynote speaker for the 2013 Youth Leadership Long Beach graduation. Damon Dunn has an amazing leadership story that is being written right here in Long Beach. “The youth relate to him and he loves sharing the vision of embracing possibilities.”

Castro and Damon Dunn, leading the way for youth.

Commitment to excellence and leadership are values that match up with Castro, Creative Productions, and the brands they represent. “Leadership is a journey and no one can succeed without family, friends, colleagues and those who believe in you, and trust you to lead them down a principled road,” states Castro. Deborah is grateful for the opportunity to serve and encourages the next generation to do the same. “It’s a continuous journey that is worth pursuing.”

Teamwork is key for the youth program.

Get Creative. Get Results. www.CreativeProductions.com | 562.985.1363 Strategy t Web t Print t Promotions t PR | Social t Video t Content t Events t Metrics Certified Women’s Business Enterprise

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Leaders For Our

With more than 1000 graduates in the last alumni are leading in every sector of 1999 Class Of 1999 Project: Queensway Bay “Pacific Lights,” was designed to create a visually dynamic focal

BUSINESS

point within the Queensway Bay area by lighting the bridge in an aesthetically pleasing way. The lighting ceremony was held on February 24, 2004.

k to esents a chec Don Knabe pr r iso rv ous pe er Su um N CHAMBER: of the County.

LONG BEACH e 2012 State ins th rk at La h lie ac Ju Be ip Long dmembers Youth Leadersh Chamber Boar Presing B di LL clu nt in rre , cu nd ha along with alums were on o (LLB BOD), LLB staff.

Deborah Castr Oscar Cosby, is d re (LLBI ’12) and ctu pi so Al .

8) ’0 er (LLBI dent Jim Krug

2000 Alumnus of the Year: Gayle Clock (LLBI ’90) is awarded the James

NONPROFIT

Ackerman Alum-

LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE: Lou An Baxter (LLBI ’91), Mayor Beverly O’Ne Gaudio (LLBI ’96). Not pictured: Karen

nus of the Year Award as it was renamed to honor Ackerman’s fine example of leadership,

integrity,

commitment,

and

community trusteeship. Gayle was the first alumni to serve as president of

BOEING: P. James Drake (LLBI ’94), Mitra Novin (LLBI ’07), Maria Passasseo (LLBI ’11), Barbara Cunningham (LLBI ’02), Tim Sele (LLBI ’12). Not pictured: Timothy Rosbottom (LLBI ’97), George Alcivar (LLBI ’01), Kim Armstrong (LLBI ’05), Gary Buchanan (LLBI ’05) and Sheila Nix (LLBI ’06).

Leadership Long Beach.

Class Of 2000 Project: The Long Beach Diversity Mural is permanently

HABITAT FOR HUMANIT Y: Jennifer Wise (LLBI ’11 ), Erin Rank (LLBI ’98), Darrell Sim ien (LLBI ’13), Dave Neary (LLBI ’95/HBOG), Veronica Garcia (LLBI ’09 / BO D)

HEALTHCARE

displayed in the grand foyer of city hall,

MISSION OF LEADERSH

We are a catalyst that i and connects commu more meaningfully se

celebrating the unique and vibrant cultural diversity of Long Beach.

Inaugural Class Member: Judy Ross, LLBI ’90, is named Executive Director of the Long Beach Nonprofit Partnership. Ross was an Interim Executive Director for LLB in 1995 and with the LBNP, she continues her work of managing and serving Long Beach nonprofits.

reaux , Pamela Chev man (LLBI ’12) Hy ty rmatz Ka Ha L: SPITA (LLBI ’08), CJ MEMORIAL HO 9), Sandy King ’9 t (LLBI BI es (LL W l el e sc gi Ca m (LLBI ’02), An el (LLBI ’06), John nh tte hu red: Sc ctu G), Nancy ’95). Not pi (LLBI ’01/HBO thy Kopy (LLBI Ca , neff 1) ar ’1 G BI ne ai hert (LL s (LLBI ’04), El ’10), Rita Gos 3) , Adrian Tave ’1 4) BI ’0 (LL BI z (LL de e an Margaret Lock 9), Jesse Hern ’0 BI (LL es w ggy Kalo (LLBI ’07), Pe

2001 Class Project Of 2001: Celebrate Diversity partnered with the City of Long Beach Human Dignity program to sponsor an essay and logo contest with the Long Beach Unified School District.

The theme of both contests was “Diversity is our Strength.”

City of Long Beach: Pictured inside city hall in front of the Diversity Mural, a Class of 2000 Project, are Mario B (LLBI ’05), Elizabeth Haynes (LLBI ’95), Anitra Dempsey (LLBI ’01), Uduak Ntuk (LLBI ’13), Olivia Maiser (LLBI ’0 Sorensen (LLBI ’06), Alison King (LLBI ’12), Karen Owens (LLBI ’97). Over the last 24 years, more than 75 city

1_LeadershipLongBeach_Layout#2_Layout 1 5/31/13 8:32 PM Page 11

Our Community

n the last 25 years, Leadership Long Beach sector of our community at every level

EDUCATION

CH CITY COLLEGE: Lou Anne Bynum (LLBI ’93/HBOG), Judy Ross (LLBI ’90/HBOG), Dr. Ginny ’91), Mayor Beverly O’Neill (HBOG), Mark Taylor (LLBI 01), Lynn Shaw (LLBI ’04), Rose Del’96). Not pictured: Karen Kane (LLBI ’01), Anita Gibbins (LLBI ’02), Derek Oriee (LLBI ’07)

OF LEADERSHIP LONG BEACH

atalyst that informs, activates, nects community leaders to aningfully serve Long Beach

CSU: Andrew Jones (LLBI ’02) , Colleen Bent (LLBI ’05), Judy ley (LLBI ’93/ Botelho (LLBI ’0 HBOG), Aaro 9), Marianne ’09), Sabrina n Moore Venieris (LLBI Sanders (LLBI ’97), Elena Cu ’09). Not pictu rris (LLBI red: Cher yl Kw iatkowski (LLBI ’02)

ELECTED OFFICIALS , enez (LLBI ’13) BI ’14), Ana Jim LL r fo t an lic Jimenez (app HOOL: Pedro izer (LLBI ’11) WESTERLY SC Chris Rodenh d an 2) ’1 BI (LL m David Perra

COUNCIL MEMBERS : Robert G (LLBI ’03) arcia and Jame s Johnson ’08). Form (LLBI er LLB C ouncilmem Tonia Reye bers s Uranga (LLBI ’90) Rob Webb and (LLBI ’96)

TRANSPOR

TATION

CIVIL SERVICE

2000 Project, are Mario Beas (LLBI ’98), Cheryl Barritt (LLBI ’04), Jerry Caligiuri (LLBI ’99), Deborah McCluster ’13), Olivia Maiser (LLBI ’09), Sherri Seldon (LLBI ’03), Diane Brown (LLBI ’05), Barbi Clark (LLBI ’97), Meggan 4 years, more than 75 city employees have graduated from LLB programs.

LONG BE ACH TRA NSIT: Kevi William S n Warfield mith (LLBI (LLBI ’13), ’01), Dan Hayes (LLB Rolando C a Lee (LLBI ’1 I ’03), Ma ruz (LLBI ’1 2), Kariss rcelle Eple 0/BOD), Robyn Pete a Selveste y (LLBI ’05 rson (EQS r (LLBI ’11 ). Not pic ’09). ), Denise tured: Rog er Rieger (LLBI ’04),

on 6), Rick Camer Killeen (LLBI ’0 n on BI m (LL Ea ) za H: ar G BEAC Ramirez (Gal PORT OF LON BI ’12), Adriana (LL BI (LL ey hl is w As Le a ey ctured: Samar pi (LLBI ’13), Stac ot N .

8) 9) ’9 ’0 B Uriu (LLBI onzalez (YLL ’05) and Ken and Mario G lez (LLBI ’05) za on G el ni Da ’11),

1_LeadershipLongBeach_Layout#2_Layout 1 5/31/13 8:32 PM Page 12

How Do You Define . . .

■ By DENNIS C. SMITH

12

2003 Class Of 2003 Project: A City Slogan Contest invited city residents and friends to come up with ideas for a new slogan for our city. “Gateway to the Pacific” was the favorite slogan.

LLB Alum Elected To School Board: Felton

Williams

(LLBI ’98) is elected to the Long Beach Unified

School

District Board of Education.

2005 Class Of 2005 Project: Enough is Enough, was a 41-hour television programming marathon designed to educate and engage Long Beach on the topic of youth and gang violence. The programming marathon was sponsored by Leadership

Long

Beach,

Charter

Communications, the Long Beach Press Telegram, and the City of Long Beach Youth and Gang Violence Prevention Taskforce, and was televised May 12-14 simultaneously on seven local Charter cable television channels reaching the communities of Long Beach and Signal Hill.

New Executive Director: Michelle Perrenoud

(LLBI

’02) is named Executive Director.

2006 Logo Unveiled: Leadership Long Beach adopts a new logo.

2007 Atlantic Avenue Corridor: The Connected Corridor project was granted by the Long Beach Community Foundation through funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to transform neighborhoods by creating connectivity and empowering stakeholders from North Long Beach to downtown along Atlantic.

Co-owner, Stratis Financial Leadership Long Beach Class Of 1999

I have been fortunate to interact with many of the Leadership Long Beach classes following my graduation from the program in June 1999.

Whether serving on the board, interviewing prospective class members, helping on the retreat team or leading one of the class days, I have had the opportunity to meet and interact with most of the graduates of the program over the past 14 years. Throughout the years I have tried to challenge participants by asking a simple question that usually begins, “how do you define . . .” and fill in the blank with one of the principles studied in the program: ethics, integrity, values, etc. . .

With the disparate backgrounds of many LLB participants it is interesting to see how these principles – commonly used not only in the LLB programs but in society at large – are defined by the different individuals.

Ask a group of type-A personalities for their definition of “ethics” and you will have the opportunity to engage in a fairly lively discussion.

When you call someone “unethical” you do so using your own definition, but what about their definition? Perhaps in the culture in which they were raised their actions or words are considered ethical, but in your culture this may not be the case. Whenever I hear someone labeled “unethical” I always ask by whose ethics? Certainly we do not all share the same ethics, so who determines who is ethical and who is not?

What about values? Can you adhere to your values and compromise with someone on an issue you disagree with them about? If you are unable to compromise are you being intransigent or are you retaining your values and not willing to yield based on a deep seated belief? If you are known for compromising, what leadership are you providing, value based or accommodation based? For those who share your values do they see you as not only compromising your values but also your integrity? Does their adherence to the common values cause them to label you “unethical?”

What about integrity? I have always said it can be difficult to define integrity, but you generally know when you are out of integrity – at least you should, if you don’t you better take stock of your values. Is integrity more than just being truthful? Can one be truthful and be out of integrity. What if you are leading, or being led by, someone you feel is not acting with integrity and when you discuss it with them know they are convinced they are acting with integrity? What is the right ethical action for you to then take? If you compromise your values to im-

prove your life are you out of integrity? Unethical? What if you compromise your values to improve the life of someone else, someone not related to you and from which you stand to gain nothing? Still unethical and out of integrity?

These are important questions for us to ask ourselves and each other.

As a community it is important to understand this about our leaders as well, how do they define being ethical, what are their values, when do they feel they are acting with our without integrity.

Many see Leadership Long Beach as a program that brings our community leaders together to learn about many aspects of our city, others focus on the projects completed by every class that improve our city, and still others see the program as a way to meet new people and expand their network of contacts and friendships. Like the words I mentioned above, Leadership Long Beach means different things to different people, and all are correct.

For me, Leadership Long Beach has always been a place where individuals have the opportunity to learn new definitions of what they already know. An opportunity to see a community, an issue, a word from someone else’s point of view and because of this gain a better understanding not just of what is being defined but of that someone else as well.

Through my active engagement with Leadership Long Beach over the past fifteen years I have learned that it is much more important to understand why others define issues and words as they do than it is to agree with their definitions. In this way I can better appreciate their opinions, points of view and solutions to the problems that we all experience. We may not agree on the solutions, or on the issues, or on the definitions, but we do not always need to agree. But we should always agree on trying to understand, and the best way to come to that place of understanding is to accept that our meanings and definitions may not be the same and accept those differences.

This is where Leadership Long Beach has excelled, creating an environment where people who may otherwise never know each other come together and work to understand each other for the purpose of creating a better community for all.

So, how do you define . . .

Putt Putt On Pine The first time was in May of 1995. That’s when over 120 wacky golfers, with putters in hand, were first seen strolling down Pine Avenue in downtown Long Beach. That’s the first time eighteen restaurants and businesses along Pine constructed creative putting greens and had a constant stream of ’golfers’ throughout the evening. It was the 1st Annual PuttPutt on Pine, the creative new fundraiser for Leadership Long Beach that evolved into a Signature Event for the organization.

In 1995, Norm Reed was Executive Director, Henry Taboada was Board President and I was Alumni Council chair. In a familiar pattern, Leadership Long Beach was looking for a new fundraiser and also a way to introduce more people to the organization and involve them in the five-year-old leadership program.

I had just visited Carol Therrien, a LLB Class of 1994 classmate living in Bishop, CA, who told me about a Putt-Putt fundraiser held in a hotel with creative holes placed in the lobby, restaurant, bar and in several hotel rooms. I suggested to the Board that we take that concept but place it along Pine Avenue with different businesses and restaurants creating the “holes,” thus promoting the downtown area as well as Leadership Long Beach.

I chaired the event for the first four years and then again from 2007-2009, each time with a great alumni committee; Judy Ross, Carolyn Smith Watts, Rick Lewis and Rachel Ramirez, Colleen Bentley, Barbara Cunningham and Brittanie Heart and many others helped produce the event. The evening attracted LLB alums, their friends and family, the general public and local a few politicians, like Mayor Foster.

John Morris, then owner of Mums and Club Cohiba, agreed to sponsor our Happy Hour Registration and 19th hole. Downtown Long Beach Associates (DLBA) soon joined in, helping with promotion and advertising. Then, as the event grew, the Pike and East Village wanted it join in the festivities so we added new ’courses’. Many businesses supported the event for numerous years including L’Opera, Alegria, George’s Greek, Gladstone’s, Utopia, Club Cohiba, Mum’s & Smooth’s, Village Treasures, House of Hayden, Appleby Real Estate, Shannon’s on Pine, Café Sevilla, among others.

– Lisa Cochrane, LLBI ’94

Principles Of Leadership

Integrity Vision Values Ethics Personal Responsibility Respect Accountability Courage Trusteeship Commitment Congruence Teamwork Service

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Youth Leadership Program Continues To Flourish In 2014, Leadership Long Beach (LLB) will graduate its 15th Youth Leadership Long Beach class as the program continues to flourish from its beginnings in 1995. Begun as a class service project for the LLB Institute Class of 1995, the Youth Leadership Long Beach (YLLB) program has provided leadership skills and community awareness to more than 350 youth from the City of Long Beach and surrounding high schools. From the weekend retreat, interactive sessions and experiential learning of the curriculum program, these youth are able to take their leadership skills back into their schools, homes and communities and apply their learned experiences about principles and values to further themselves for the rest of their lives.

From the genesis of the Leadership Long Beach Youth Diversity Summits from 1993-95 and the strategic vision of the LLB board, a Class Project Team of Bob Cabeza, Sue Dvonch, Elizabeth Haynes, Eric Somchith Sing and Armando Contreras planned and implemented the pilot program of 24 10th and 11th grade students.

Then in 1996, 25 youth went through the first formal program year, followed by 27 youth in the second year.

The program went dark, but a few years later, with a renewed effort from the LLB Board of Directors and Executive Director Janey Roeder, and behind the leadership of Gloria Cordero (LLBI ’91) and Tammy Newland (LLBI ’93), LLB secured funding from the Earl B. and Loraine H. Miller Foundation, enabling them to restart the program in 2001 with a class of 21 youth. Over the next few years, and with the additional generous support of the Dwight Stuart Youth Fund, Supervisor Don Knabe and other community supporters, the program grew, adding more youth, volunteers and quality to enhance the leadership experience.

Now, Youth Leadership Long Beach is a seven-month program comprised of a weekend retreat, a City Hall visit and a Media day, Human Relations, Education, Public Safety & Healthcare, a Day of Service, a youth service project and a reflection and graduation ceremony. This past year, a record number of applicants resulted in 33 youth from nine high schools, who got the chance to meet Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, interact with health and public safety officials at Miller Children’s Hospital, tour the CSULB campus and created “Leadership 4 Days,” their class community service project for kids from the DAYS (Downtown Associated Youth Services) program. The program reflects the diversity of the city and creates opportunities for youth to work together to make a positive impact on their communities.

Proud Supporter of

Leadership Long Beach Happy to Celebrate your Silver Anniversary!

Dana Buchanan Class of 2010

562-400-5994

www.primalalchemy.com

Community Leaders Help Guide Youth Since 1989, the Leadership Long Beach Program has seen many dynamic individuals go through the ranks to become leaders who engage in civic issues that affect themselves and their communities. Along with its adult course, LLB also develops some of Long Beach’s brightest and most outstanding high school students into future leaders with the seven-month Youth Leadership Long Beach program. One of the essential steps in transforming these young leaders is a three-day mountain retreat in Big Bear.

In the 14 years of the Youth program, a dedicated group of LLB alumni have com- From left: Jeff Coburn, LLBI ’00; Myrna Pappas, LLBI mitted to working with these youth and ’03; and Randy Hausauer, LLBI ’02. served on the Retreat Team together for nine of the 14 years. They are: Jeff Coburn, Principal at Lee and Associates, class of 2000; Randy Hausauer, a retired Long Beach Police Officer, class of 2002; and Myrna Pappas, Development Director at Venice Community Housing Corporation, class of 2003. Although the members of the retreat team come from different backgrounds such as business, non-profit, and law enforcement, each one understands the importance of having a youth component to the overall program. “The mountain really gets them away from all that’s familiar,” Pappas said, “This experience really gives the youth an opportunity to be creative and become their true selves.”

The progress of the students is evident as soon as the mountain retreat is over. They get a better understanding on how to apply what they just learned into their everyday lives. “As they go through the Youth Leadership Long Beach program we get to witness them become leaders and that’s awesome to see,” Coburn said.

“The youth don’t have the built-in biases that the adults have. There’s less of a challenge to break down barriers,” Hausauer said. “By Sunday morning the kids all have this epiphany and it’s great to watch that progression.”

As the students develop their leadership skills, they also heighten their sensitivity to racial, social, and cultural issues that are common within Long Beach. The retreat serves as an equalizer that places everyone on the same level in order to strengthen his or her leadership qualities together.

For more information visit www.leadershiplb.org or call 562/997-9194.

– Floyd Hampton Livingston, LLBI ’12

Congratulations Co C ongratulationss to on to LLeadership ea e eadership adership LLong ong B Beach each h on their 25th 25t 5 hA Anniversary! nniversary!

Warehousing W arehousing ~ D Distribution istribution ~ T Transloading ransloading C Crossdocking rossdocking ~ T Transportation ransportation Services Services w www.trimodal.com ww.trimodal.com sales@trimodal sales@trimodal.com .com (310) 513-1100

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LOOKING BACK

Husband And Wife Team, Anne And Bob Emigh, LLB Alums

14

2007 New Executive Director: Paul Fornell (LLBI ’00) is named LLB’s Executive Director.

2008 New Executive Director: Peter Bostic serves as Executive Director and begins overseeing the Connected Corridor project.

2011 New Executive Director: Jeff Williams (LLBI ’08) is appointed Executive Director.

1000th Graduate: Karissa Selvester (YLLB ’98 & LLBI ’11) is selected to represent the 1000th Graduate of LLB programs.

She now works for Long Beach Transit.

Mark Bixby Scholarship: At the 2011 Welcome Reception, Sara Pillet (Myers ) LLBI ’12, is the recipient of the Mark Bixby (LLBI ’96) Scholarship. The LLBI ’96 class donated money for the scholarship to honor the life of classmate Mark Bixby.

The 2006 “Alumnus of the Year Award” committee, composed of representatives of Leadership Long Beach (LLB) and Executive Quick Start programs, screened numerous nominations and reached consensus that in the case of Anne Emigh, it wasn’t just a matter of what she did but how she did it – always warm, always gracious, and always with a smile on her face. One nomination stated: “Anne has a way of finding that skill or talent within each person and empowering them to be their best. She models the way while providing the opportunity for others to shine.”

Since graduating from the class of 2001, Anne has served as vice curriculum and curriculum chair, class project co-chair, on the Executive Board, as a member of Excellence in Leadership Dinner Committee, chair of the 2005 California Association of Leadership Programs Conference in Long Beach, and as Alumni Chair. Anne said that before LLB, she “never saw herself as a leader, but rather as someone who just pitched in where needed.”

In 2000 Anne was encouraged by a friend to go through the Leadership Long Beach program. Having grown up here, she thought she knew so much about the city but thought “discovering the leader within” would be fun and a nice challenge. “I discovered so much I didn't know about the city and got to know so many leaders in such diverse areas of interest, but all with the common goal of wanting to contribute to improve Long Beach as a wonderful place to work and live,” she recently reflected.

Seeing how much Anne enjoyed LLB, her husband, Bob, joined the class of 2003 and also experienced an enriching year of personal growth, leadership lessons and wonderful relationships. Bob and Anne recently hosted a class reunion for both of their classes.

The two met and married while still in dental school 42 years ago.

Anne, a dental hygienist, and Dr. Bob started their dental practice in Long Beach about two years later. Their office staff grew significantly over the years, going on to include their sons, Dr. Patrick Emigh and Dr. Todd Emigh, and daughter-in-law and hygienist, Amber Emigh.

The family constantly attends classes together to keep up with all the latest techniques in implants, Invisalign, and cosmetic dentistry.

A Year in Leadership Long Beach – emails from the Leadership Long Beach Class of 2011 SUMMER 2010 / Selection Process

2012 LLB Historian: Past President Carolyn Smith Watts (LLBI ’01) is named the first honorary board historian.

Best Class Ever! The Class of 2010 wins the inaugural “Best Class Ever” award for the LLB Annual Campaign.

Inaugural Class Member: W. Henry Walker, LLBI ’90, was in the first Leadership Long Beach graduating class selected in 1989. In 2012 he was named President of F&M Bank.

Beyond their extensive involvement with LLB, Anne and Bob have been active members of the community. Bob currently serves on the boards of Campfire Kids and the Harbor Dental Society; Anne serves on the boards of the Long Beach City College Foundation and Literary Women Festival. They each coached their three sons in AYSO and Club soccer, even taking teams to compete in Europe. Bob served as president of AYSO and refereed his fair share of games as well. Their adult sons still play and coach soccer.

They attend Bay Shore Church, where Anne spent two years painting, leading and training 80 church volunteers to renovate the original chapel with wall-to-wall murals and large oil paintings. Anne loves to paint and also painted and donated a fun reading-themed mural and oil painting to two inner-city Long Beach elementary schools to help inspire a love of reading.

Leadership Long Beach is proud to salute Anne and Bob Emigh as involved community leaders and as role models for future LLB classes.

Hello my potential Classmates for LEADERSHIP LONG BEACH Class 2011!!

I’m writing this note to you guys before we meet to capture my thoughts about what’s to come: What a unique opportunity for us to be selected as applicants to the Leadership program. One day I’d like to serve on the selection committee to identify prospective class members. Looking back on my own experience it felt like a job interview except it wasn’t simply about my professional qualifications and accomplishments, it was bigger than that – it was about all of me. What had I contributed not just to my job, but also to my family, my community and the world around me? Those kinds of questions made this interview different than any job interview I’d been on. What did you guys think about it?

Funny, but I thought the way they handled the process made what I was aspiring to be a part of bigger than what I could do for a company. I left that building on Atlantic thinking that if selected, this experience was going to give something to me! I hope I get selected.

If I do, one day, after I graduate, I would be honored to be a member of the selection committee. I would take very seriously the responsibility of identifying accomplished leaders while also ensuring a broad diversity of candidates. I bet the responses to the questions would both make me laugh at times, and make me cry or just say WOW! But I know that with each distinct and different candidate that will be selected for LEADERSHIP LONG BEACH, we will feel good about making him or her apart of the Leadership Long Beach future. I know that because I have heard you guys, the Class of 2011, are the BEST CLASS EVER! I can’t wait to meet you all and share this amazing year to come.

– Alison King, City of Long Beach Housing Authority

AUGUST 2010 / Orientation – Overview Of Principled Leadership Well LLB Classmates . . . what a day!

I have a feeling every LLBI class will be a fantastic experience, but I predict today will always be one of those special days – our orientation day at our very first class meeting. It was an exciting time and filled with so much

anticipation! The day began at Community Hospital with the esteemed, Dennis Smith (LLBI ’99), and Juliet Acuff (LLBI ’09), who led us through a tremendously valuable discussion on Leadership Principles.

I know I will never forget Dennis’ impassioned case proclaiming “integrity” is by far the most important principle of all of the principles! I wholeheartedly agree! I also had an opportunity to get to know all of you guys, my classmates. It was great how each class member partnered with another to share stories about themselves. We then introduced our partner to the entire group. It was fun learning about our classmates in such a creative way. I expect that adoration will only get stronger with what lies ahead over the coming year for all of us. I’ve lived in Long Beach all of my life, I used to kiddingly refer to myself as “Miss Long Beach,” because I thought I pretty much knew all there was to know about the city I so love, but was I ever wrong! I learned so much, today, on that wonderful trip. It was amazing to spend the rest of the day on the lovely grounds of Rancho Los Alamitos and meeting many LLB Alumnae members, being treated to a delicious lunch, and getting to tour of the Rancho. The amazing day ended with the incomparable, John Glaza, who continued to build excitement for our impending retreat.

Trust me when I tell you that organizing the car pools to get to the LLBI retreat was really an experience of the crazy, fun madness of what lay ahead over the retreat weekend!

We should get together for coffee – – Samantha Fabrigas Junior League of Long Beach

SEPTEMBER 2010 / Leadership Retreat Dear Post-Retreat LLB Class of 2011!

I know we’re not supposed to talk about last weekend’s Leadership Retreat weekend at Big Bear, but WOW! what an incredible experience.

They said that we would EXPERIENCE each of the 13 Leadership Principles . . . and I am completely amazed that not only can I say that was true for me, I had the gift of seeing it in each and every one of you. It really drove home what leadership and teamwork can be! I’m bursting with thoughts, ideas and inspirations, but don’t worry, I remember . . . ‘What happens on the mountain, stays on the mountain!’

I can hardly wait to see you all again in a couple weeks!

– Anonymous

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OCTOBER 2010 / Social Services And Community Hey All! What an exciting day! It’s truly amazing to learn about all the incredible services and partnerships available throughout Long Beach. Although, I work in social services, it is so refreshing to learn what other organization do and the vast array of assistance being provided. Our homework assignment, actually going out into the community and visiting public and social services was inspiring! The fact that we were able to chose from civic offices, non profits, religious institutions, and community centers really allowed me to not only see what existed but also to learn about ones that speak to me and my interests directly! And wow, was it fascinating!

One of my favorite parts of the day was listening to the presentation by Rethinking Greater Long Beach. The statistical information provided helped to shed light on the diversity that exists in Long Beach. Also, they created an increase in public awareness regarding the strengths and challenges that residents face which allows for resources to be distributed in those areas of greatest need.

Normally, in my day to day life, I am surrounded by other service providers, and one of the things I value most about my relationships created through LLBI, is that introduction and inclusion of other like minded individuals, from all spectrums, who share the same love of community.

I am excited about next month . . . can’t wait,

CONGRATULATIONS TI CONGRATULATIONS LEADERSHIP LONG LONG BEACH! BEACH! THANK YO YOU OU FOR 25 Y YEARS EARS OF LEADING THE WAY WAY FOR A BE BETTER TTER LLONG ONG BEACH BEACH WOODY W OODY SIDES GRADUAT GRADUATE, TE, 2002 LLB INSTITUTE

– Marisa Semense, Long Beach Community Action Partnership

NOVEMBER 2010 / Education And Youth Hey classmates!!

What did you think of class yesterday? I have to say I was inspired by all of the panels, especially the one with education leaders Eloy Oakley of LBCC, F. King Alexander of CSULB, and Chris Steinhouser of LBUSD. With all the negative dialogue about the state of education in this country, it was refreshing to hear something positive for a change. Did you know about The Long Beach College Promise? I read something about it in the paper, but actually hearing them talk about it is another story. Where were they when I was little? LOL. They are so passionate about our students here in Long Beach; what a comfort with my little one starting kindergarten in LBUSD next year.

Anyway, Monday’s class was uplifting and it gave me the push I need to finish my MPA at CSULB. Honestly, I have dragging my feet on the last few classes I need to graduate.

Hopefully I can keep the momentum going so I can graduate from LLB and CSULB in June.

BTW – sorry I missed you all for happy hour after class. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it because the hubby was working late and I couldn’t get a sitter. I just love our class!

Bummed I missed out☹ Anyway, it was great to see you all at class on Monday and I hope you enjoyed the day like I did. Let’s get another social planned real soon!

Congratulations Leadership Long Beach!

Dean Keller “Class of 1990” www.BancapSelfStorage.com

– Dina Berg, Heart of Ida

DECEMBER 2010 / Public Safety And Infrastructure Dear Class of 2011, I applied to be a part of Leadership Long Beach because I was looking for a way connect with other people who are also seeking to better the city of Long Beach. I had no idea I’d end up getting such a fantastic broad overview of some of the major aspects of the city (education, public safety, commerce and the arts), as well as get to know the individuals who help to make Long Beach such a great city.

While I expect we are going to have many excellent events and forums during the year in Leadership Long Beach, I would have to say that I think one of my favorite days is going to be the Public Safety day! I was so thrilled we were given the opportunity to “ride along” with either the Fire Department or the Police Department for a day. I chose to ride along with the Fire Department and was welcomed into the Fire Station 14 by the professional men and women of that station. I rode along in the engine and the ambulance as they provided vital public safety services to our community.

I also really enjoyed our meeting class afterwards when we got to discuss all of our different experiences riding along with the police and fire department. It was also such a treat to have the Chief of Police and the Fire Chief join for a discussion on matters related to public safety in the city.

It’s already clear to me that my year in Leadership Long Beach will provide me with an invaluable overview of the city, its leaders and how I might use my leadership to better connect with and serve the people of Long Beach.

Looking forward to many more adventures with all of you!

– Amy Aiken, California Heights United Methodist Church

JANUARY 2011 / Transforming Communities Dear Classmates . . .

I had to write this because today’s class topic was Valuing Relationships!

The keynote speakers of the day shared with us their knowledge about transforming, developing and building a community sharing valuable information that will enable us to have a better understanding of our community. Every one of you really added amazing things to the conversations!! We are lucky to have each other.

I loved how the day started with a fascinating presentation on the impact on our community of its economic and intercultural diversities and how critical it is to know and understand the population of our community, in order to make positive changes. And then later on, our creative and visionary minds were unleashed when we were asked, as a team, to create a conceptual design of the development of an area in North Long Beach that needs improve-

LEADERSHIP L O N G B E AC H

949-888-5355

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16

Leadership Long Beach Executive Directors 1989-1992

Patti Mitchell

1992-1995

Norm Reed (LLBI ’91)

1995 (Interim)

Judy Ross (LLBI ’90)

1995-1997

Daphne Ching-Jackson

1998-2005

Janey Roeder (LLBI ’96)

2006-2007

Michelle Perrenoud (LLBI ’02)

ment. The key players at the table brought their knowledge of the needs of this community, the population demographic, the needs for social change and the need to create walk-ability and bicycle friendliness.

How fun was it working together on this project? We realized that working with our classmates and Leadership Long Beach Alumni, sharing our individual skills and knowledge about our community, empowers us to make amazing social changes and enable us to transform, develop and better our community. And that, my friends, is VERY COOL! The rewarding outcomes of this team effort will be something that we will have the opportunity to experience again once we become Alumni of the Leadership Long Beach. We will then have many opportunities to reach out to another to connect and unite our efforts for positive and sustainable changes in our communit – and that is the POWER of LLB! Today’s class has given us an opportunity to understand better the different perspectives involved in community development and how valuable are all the relationships and connections we make as leaders in our community in our journey to better serve our community.

I know each month, we will discover and understand a new piece of the puzzle that makes our community so unique and full of diversity ... and today was no different.

A Glass of Wine Anyone?

– Christine Delabre, Interval House

FEBRUARY 2011 / Arts, Culture, Entertainment And Tourism

gram supporter of Leadership Long

Dear ‘Best-Looking Class’ EVER!!

I knew today would be a fun filled important day for our Leadership Long Beach Class! It proved to be exactly the kind of day I hope everyone can experience in their lives – A DAY FILLED WITH THE ARTS! We were lead by Craig Watson, Executive Director for the Arts Council of Long Beach-what a great guy—I bet he goes far! We discovered that the Performing Arts (Theatre, Opera, Music & Dance) as well as Visual Arts are truly alive and as diverse as Long Beach is itself. One of the most interesting parts of the day was to hear how the Blue Ribbon Committee for the Arts was set up by the LB City Council to bring the whole Arts Community under the City’s Master Plan. It gives me hope to know that the leaders of Long Beach recognize what an important economic and cultural driver the Arts are to a community like Long Beach. We were challenged to think creatively as some of the leaders of the Arts Community have done over the years. Meeting Blair Cohn (head of the Bixby Knolls BIA) and seeing all he has done with the Arts Community at EXPO’s industrial building was very cool. Also, hearing Andreas Mitisek’s (Artistic & General Director for Opera Long Beach) vision for the relationship of Opera to our community was as inspiring as he is passionate about Opera. His innovative, cutting-edge vision of ‘found space’ for nontraditional performances like: parking garages, pools and other exciting venues proves what Art can be and why we are lucky to have him here in Long Beach. It was a long and fun-filled day that brought us all around the city.

I would love for you guys to come see my latest directing project at the EXPO Building –

Beach. Even in his passing, the family

– Denis McCourt, MFA PUBLIC THEATRE of Southern California/Long Beach

2007

Paul Fornell (LLBI ’00)

2007-08 (Interim)

Margaret Brewer (LLBI ’93)

2008-2010 2011-present

Peter Bostic Jeff Williams (LLBI ’08)

Jim Ackerman Alumnus Of The Year Award Recipients James H. Ackerman was a celebrated Long Beach attorney but he was so much more to all who knew him. Jim was a generous man who gave his time and talent to many organizations, and Leadership Long Beach was one of them. Jim was a founding member of LLB in 1989 and was a member of the Honorary Board of Governors. Throughout his life, Jim remained a major pro-

of James H. Ackerman proudly continues the legacy of giving to and supporting Leadership Long Beach.

The Jim Ackerman Alumnus of the Year Award was established by Leadership Long Beach in 1994 and in 2000 was named in honor of Jim’s fine example of leadership, integrity, commitment, and community trusteeship.

1994 - Darick Simpson, LLBI ‘92 1995 - Jill Rosenberg, LLBI ‘92 2000 - Gayle Clock, LLBI ‘90 2001 - Pam Spoo, LLBI ‘96 2002 - Judy Ross, LLBI ‘90 2003 - Minnie Douglas, LLBI ‘94 2004 - Wendy Chang, LLBI ‘98 2005 - Dave Neary, LLBI ‘95 2006 - Anne Emigh, LLBI ‘01 2007 - Anthony W. Batts, LLBI ‘94 2008 - CJ Harmatz, LLBI ‘01 2009 - Lou Anne Bynum, LLBI ‘93 2010 – Dennis Smith, LLBI ‘99

MARCH 2011 / Media And Governance Hi LLB 2011 Classmates!

During today’s class, I really liked our ability to circulate and deal directly with city council offices to get the things done that we needed done – that was fly :-) very impressive and a great example of what doors Leadership Long Beach can open for us. It was such a great class, filled with so many highs. It surpassed my expectations. The Robert Garcia and Shaun Lumachi part of the day was beautiful and having the meetings in City Council offices was great too. Wow Governor Deukmejian actually was there to talk to us today! He echoed thoughts that I often have about integrity and honesty. He spoke from his heart and I loved that. I would like to be this kind of a speaker and I would like to always be able to impress folks with the truth by simply telling the truth. There was gravity to his words and some reason why he shared that with us on that day.

It hit me during this class the great responsibility entrusted to me by my community and the folks who have supported the work that we do in the community. Everything was so real and so diverse that we discussed that every aspect, basically of Leadership Principles came into play.

I think greater communication to the community about all the wonderful things Long Beach has to offer is something that really excites me. There are so many great things going on here, so many wonderful stories that just need to be shared. There are just great stories that need to be told and hopefully between I Am Long Beach Project, myself being a writer and other great projects floating around, we can all make that happen.

With Love, – Kelli Curry, Living Love Foundation

APRIL 2011 / Business And Economic Development To: 2011 Classmates I truly enjoyed our Business and Economic Development Class today! I had never been to the Port of Long Beach administration building before so this gave me a unique vantage point to learn more about the Port and all that goes on there. As Director of Workforce Development for Goodwill, I appreciated our Day Chairs’ (Kristopher Larson and Rex Richardson) comments on the importance of Integrity in Business and its critical impact on the success of marketplace and of the workforce. I thought that Kimberly Ritter of the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation presented some very interesting and up to date data on the forecast of local economy as well as her overview of local economic development resources. Both our morning and afternoon panel of presenters made for a very interesting mix of business leaders who provided a dynamic and diverse set of views as to the future and success of local businesses and the development of new business opportunities. That is what I appreciate about Long Beach, its dynamism and diversity!

I thought it fortunate that we were able to sit in on a portion of the Harbor Commissioner’s meeting that was in session on the same day… that was an added bonus. The Commissioners’ agenda was packed with items critical to the success of the Port and to Long Beach . . . a lot to digest for sure! And then to cap the day with a tour of the Port, again another first for me! I am really proud of how the Port sees itself as a steward of community and takes seriously its responsibility for the environment of the port and of Long Beach, all the sea lions certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves! Thanks Samara, our superstar classmate, for helping to make this a great day of learning for us all!

– Ben Espitia, Goodwill of South Los Angeles County

MAY 2011 / Healthcare And Environment Wow, what a day!

I do not know about you guys but I was truly impacted by today’s class. As I shared with everyone earlier this year, my grandmother experienced a stroke in December and I found today’s class extremely beneficial. I enjoyed Angie West’s presentation about Long Beach Memorial’s Stroke Center and the ways in which we can identify the causes, signs, and effects of strokes. It is amazing how heart disease is such a debilitating disease. After she spoke I was motivated to meet with our small group to brainstorm ideas regarding working to help make Long Beach a healthier city. It was invigorating and educational working with group members Alison and Alicia. One of the ideas that we came up with was for health providers to incentivize their members to eat and live healthier. For example: Lets say a family of four lost a combined amount of weight or signed up for a gym. They in turn would receive discounts off their health care costs. This would be a pro-active approach that could ultimately reduce health care spending in the long run. Instead of the government paying for people when they are in the emergency room we could focus on prevention versus treatment. I know this would be controversial and somewhat difficult to get passed but it may be something that we may want to examine throughout our various levels of city, state, and national government. Along with our talk about Health Care I also learned a lot from the speakers who spoke about the Environment. The professor from Cal State Long Beach was very insightful. I was shocked to learn about the devastating effects of plastic bags and how they are affecting the ocean, sea life and the overall natural environment. I am glad that the City of Long Beach is doing something about the problem. All joking aside, we all must do more to take care of our environment. Anyways, what a great class! I look forward to seeing everyone next month.

– Justin Hardy, AAA

JUNE 2011 / Closing Retreat To my amazing classmates . . .

I can’t believe our year together is coming to a close!

It seems like only yesterday we were looking across the room at one another and looking into the faces of complete strangers . . . Now I feel as though I’ve know you for years! I know I’ve had many conversations with a number of you and the skepticism we all felt when alumni described the bond they formed with their class and the growth they were able to enjoy (personally and professionally) thanks to good ‘ol LLB. Now I’m starting to realize how true those statements were…and that I’ll probably be the one making the same statements to a new group of skeptics!

I think that was one of the main things that hit me during our last class: how far we’ve come . . . as a group and as individuals. Through the connections we’ve made and our projects in the community, I know we will continue to make, significant positive changes for the City of Long Beach. I definitely know I’m in for some major changes in my

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own life! Writing that letter to ourselves one year from now was such an interesting way to reflect on where we might be and what we will have done with all this momentum. I can’t wait to get mine in the mail in a year!

I also can’t express enough gratitude for you all voting to name me as the 1000th graduate to represent not only our class, but LLB alumni in general. It’s an overwhelming honor . . . I hope I live up to the task!! Haha. And I think Denis & Samara are the perfect dynamic duo to be our two class representatives at graduation!

To Mr. Jeff Williams . . . we definitely owe you a world of thanks for your support and hard work through the year. You and Oscar are stellar! And I can’t wait to see all those pictures you’ve taken. Lesson learned: when you say, “be creative” to the class of 2011… you’re bound to get some cheesy shots!

Thanks again, classmates . . . I’m looking forward to seeing you all at Graduation in a few weeks. And looking forward even more to seeing what we can all accomplish with this network of support we’ve built all around us.

Now . . . equally important . . . my official duties as your Cruise-Ship-Director and party planner extraordinaire! It’s time to plan another get-together!! Get out those calendars and take a look at the dates on the survey I sent you. Is it strange that some of our best ideas for the City have come when we are all relaxing together in the beautiful LB sun with a beverage of choice in hand??...nah!! :-)

EMIGH DENTAL CARE

Congratulates Leadership Long Beach on 25 wonderful years!

EMIGH DENTAL CARE, 5500 Atherton St. Long Beach 90815 Drs. Bob, Pat and Todd Emigh Implants . Sedation . Invisalign . Cosmetic & Family Dentistry

– Karissa Selvester, Long Beach Transit

JUNE 2011 / Graduation Our graduation was truly the culmination of a fantastic year of learning, partnerships and collaborations. The stress of preparing and finalizing our project presentations was taken over by excitement and extreme pride in each of our classmates. MoLAA was the perfect venue for our graduation.

It was a wonderful surprise to leave the museum area after our presentations and walk outside to the amazing courtyard where the celebration began!

Each project presentation was extremely well done and professional. I had no idea that I would learn even more than I had throughout the year listening to the presentations. I was so proud of each of my classmates knowing that their projects will, and have made an ongoing positive difference for the city of Long Beach and its residents.

The graduation ceremony was a perfect mix of pomp and circumstance and humor. The realization of the importance and impact Leadership Long Beach has on our community came to light for me when we each were handed several proclamations. I had an unbelievable experience being part of the class of 2011 and the graduation was the ideal ceremonial closure to a wonderful year!

Principals: Bill Larson, Phil Mazzocco & Jen Milburn Congratulate Leadership Long Beach on 25 years of service to our city!

562.270.0688 www.sonnocco.com

– Rita Goshert, Memorial Miller Children’s Hospital

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The Future Of Leadership Long Beach As imagined by Chris Rodenhizer In September of 2010 a group of 25 strangers, all selected to be a part of Leadership Long Beach’s class of 2011, came together to hear what was in store for us in the coming year. As we listened to each other’s introductions we imagined, as current leaders in the agencies and businesses that make up the fabric of our great city, the connections we would develop with one another and the possibilities it could mean for the city. The annual retreat a few weeks later strategically created a bond between us all that all but guaranteed we would work together to improve the city of Long Beach.

That is what Leadership Long Beach does for individuals and for the community. The organization brings leaders together, connects and centers them on a set of principles to which all leaders should aspire. Through exposure to a variety of city entities and guidance, the organization then turns us loose to make things happen to better our city.

Though Leadership Long Beach is a small agency, it has a vast and eclectic mix of alumni that are influential and potentially transformative in its impact. This potential can only happen, however, through our support, both financially and through continued service. As a nonprofit agency, Leadership Long Beach needs the continued guidance of its Board of Directors and staff, the financial support of its alumni, and the organizational drive to continue to link its members around the theme of supporting and improving the city of Long Beach. Imagine the possibilities if every agency and business in the City encouraged its administrators and managers to apply as candidates for a future class with Leadership Long Beach. Imagine the possibilities if each of the alumni of the program contributed toward the organization’s annual fundraising efforts. And imagine the possibilities if we, as alumni, came together to assess the needs of our community and pooled our ideas and resources to make those needs become reality.

The future of Leadership Long Beach can have a greater impact on our city, but only with the commitment of those of us willing and able to come together and make it happen.

CONGRATULATIONS LEADERSHIP LONG BEACH ON YOUR FIRST SUCCESSFUL, INSPIRING, COMMUNITY ENRICHING 25 YEARS!!!

JEFF COBURN, CLASS OF 2000

– Chris Rodenhizer, Westerly School

LLBI Class of 2011

Congratulations Leadership Long Beach

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Past Presidents Of Leadership Long Beach 1989-1991 Peter Ridder Press-Telegram 1991-1992 Curtis McCray California State University, Long Beach 1992-1994 Gayle Clock (LLBI ’90) 1994-1995 Jill Rosenberg (LLBI ’92) Coldwell Banker 1995-1997 Henry Taboada City of Long Beach 1997-1998 Wayne T. Kistner (LLBI ’93) Bennett & Kistner 1998-1999 Lou Anne Bynum (LLBI ’93) Long Beach City College 1999-2000 Wilma Powell Port of Long Beach 2000-2001 Dave Neary (LLBI ’95) Westland Construction 2001-2002 Minnie Douglas (LLBI ’94) Douglas Consulting 2002-2003 Mike Murray (EQS ’F95) Verizon 2003-2004 Dennis C. Smith (LLBI ’99) Stratis Financial Corporation 2004-2005 Chirstina Pizarro Winting (LLBI ’94) City of Santa Monica 2005-2006 Wendy Chang (LLBI ’98) Dwight Stuart Youth Foundation 2006-2007 CJ Harmatz (LLBI ’01) Long Beach Memorial Medical Center 2007-2008 Colleen Bentley (LLBI ’93) CSU Chancellor’s Office 2008-2009 Denny Moore (LLBI ’06) Sperry Van Ness 2009-2010 Carolyn Smith Watts (LLBI ’01) Boloph’s Specialty 2010-2012 Tom Farrand (LLBI ’08) Farrand Research Corporation 2012-2013 James Kruger (LLBI ’08) Expertow

Six Questions With Leadership Long Beach Executive Director Jeff Williams At the helm of one of the premier leadership organizations in Long Beach is Jeff Williams, a teacher and community cultivator who plans to steer the organization along a sustainable path into the future.

Originally from Oklahoma, Williams attended business school in New Orleans.

After college he traveled around a bit until landing a job that he admittedly did not enjoy. Seeking a change of scenery, Williams joined Teach for America, a program similar to the federal government’s Peace Corps through which college graduates are assigned to teach under-funded schools across the country.

Williams was shipped out to California with 80 others and was assigned to teach 7th and 8th grade math at a middle school in Watts.

After nearly three years, Williams decided to give Hollywood a try.

He worked in the animation field for about four years, at which time he realized he missed teaching. Williams went back into education, working with an organization called the New Teacher Project, through which he trained teaching professionals on how to teach at underfunded schools. He soon got a job with the San Francisco-based company Inside Track, a for-profit organization which offered life and success coaching to freshman college students. Williams was placed at Brooks College and DeVry University in Long Beach in 2008, and that year he participated in Leadership Long Beach.

How did you discover Leadership Long Beach?

My friend Ellen Ryan told me about it. But I also knew that when I picked a community to be a part of, I needed to get involved. I’ve always been a volunteer, but I didn’t know anyone here – just the couple of people I worked with at Inside Track. I wanted to know everyone, know what’s going on so I could help. And just hearing about Leadership Long Beach, that it had been around a long time, and who has been through it made me admire the prestige of it.

Leadership Long Beach seemed open to all community members, so that was kind of appealing to me.

At what point did you realize you wanted to get more involved in the program, beyond participating in it?

It’s pretty much a volunteer-run organization. Alumni teach all the class sessions and all the activities are run by alumni. Being a teacher, I knew I wanted to teach one of the classes. So I became an active volunteer afterward, teaching the sessions on education and social services. And then I became the alumni chair. That’s how I ended up on the board. I was in charge of managing alumni activities and volunteers.

When the program director left, I was teaching two of the classes at the time. The board decided it was a natural fit. And I was excited about it. I really enjoy the class days because of the education component. I was the program director for a year and a half or so, and then our executive director left. I soon found myself in the big boy seat. I kept falling upwards. I was interim for nearly a year, and then the board made me executive director.

What are your duties as executive director?

Oh, everything. We’re a small, non-profit, volunteer-run organization. It’s our staff member, Oscar Cosby, and me. We have adult and youth programs; I run both of those, getting volunteers. Being a volunteer coordinator is a big part of being executive director.

There are a thousand people in our network, but I probably manage a couple hundred every year. So that’s a big part of it, in addition to all the non-profit work. It’s fundraising, grant writing, working with the board – everything. It’s a big job. I probably made it a little bigger because I do the program, too. Most executive directors don’t run the program. And that’s more out of necessity. I was the previous executive director’s program director. I did not replace myself.

So we went from a three-person to a two-person staff. . . . But I offered to do it. I knew that it would help us and I knew that I could run the program and still do other things. I don’t think I had any idea how much I would do, but it was a necessity. Probably our toughest year was 2009. But I knew the deal when I came on so I was happy to be a part of that solution.

LBBJ: How do you define leadership?

Williams: The best thing I’ve heard is that in order to be a leader, you have to have followers. If you turn around and there’s no one fol-

lowing you, then you’re not leading. To me, leadership is bringing people together and moving them toward a goal, a common goal.

Our whole organization is that. It’s a group of volunteers who believe passionately about this and my job is to give them all a place so we can keep this thing moving.

And what qualities do you think a person must have to lead a leadership program?

These are some big time folks that I’m supposed to be in charge of in this role. My job is to get them involved in whatever way they can participate and help out. A lot of the time, when we’re in a meeting, I don’t say a thing. These leaders just need the opportunity and the space to do what they do.

The first retreat I went on, I was really intimidated because I thought, “Okay, this thing has been around for twenty-something years. I’m in charge. If I ruin this one, I’m the new guy who ruined the program.” You don’t want to be that guy. I’m not a nervous person; I was just extremely stressed out. A lot of people don’t know this, but the first retreat that I did, I didn’t have a single person who had done the retreat before. They were all alumni, they’ve all been, but they had never led the activities. I was wound up so tight, but it all worked out great. And the lesson I came away with was to let my leaders lead. That was my lesson and that’s how I lead these things because these are awesome people. I need to give them the space to lead and support them. They’re the experts.

What plans do you have to create a sustainable path for the program?

I think we’re on that path now. The organization is, as we know, 25 years old. That’s a generation of the organization. One of the things that can happen is the organization fades, or it stays the same, or it goes through a rebirth. And I think we’re going through a rebirth. Most of the people in our organization would feel that too, and we are refocusing what our purpose is. We went through a mission statement reevaluation because I think we didn’t have that long-term, sustainable view. So this rebirth is, what are we really here for? And, how are we going to maximize that? We’re here to serve Long Beach and make it better, and that’s never going to end. We want to be here for a long time, to get as close as we can to that goal. It’s exciting and I think all the people who are involved are passionate about it and energized.

The Next 25 Years Twenty-four years ago, we received a gift.

Eight individuals got together and spoke of creating a civic improvement program that would serve the community by educating and motivating leaders on issues important to the future of our city. This 10-month program would enhance team building, build interpersonal and decisionmaking skills, and motivate participants to work together for the betterment of the City of Long Beach. I am a recipient of that gift as a graduate of the Class of 2010 – the best class ever.

As we get ready for our 25th class, I wonder what the original eight thought of on the day they started talking.

Did they think we would start an Executive Quick Start and Youth Leadership program? Did they envision 1,000 alumni graduating from these programs or having 100 community based projects? Did they plan for us to collaborate with the Long Beach Nonprofit Partnership and start a Board Referral program that will help fill the need for community leadership?

I would venture to say no. I do know they recognized a need in the community and they acted. They were catalysts to what has become a passion for me and many others. Today’s programs continue to bring together individuals with a common passion for our city.

As the 25th year president-elect, I am ready to continue what started 25 years ago. This coming year we will celebrate and continue to be catalyst in our community. We will kick off the 25th class, and our 15th youth class. We will host our second Board Referral program. We will continue with what we know and we will continue to try new things. Do you see a need that needs action?

I challenge anyone in our city with similar passions and desires to join us. Join one of the programs. Join the board. Join the celebration.

Join us as we imagine the future.

– Rolando Cruz, President-Elect, Leadership Long Beach, Executive Director & Vice President Maintenance & Facilities, Long Beach Transit

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Congratulations Leadership Long Beach For 25 Years of Service Thank You for Engaging and Connecting Community Leaders Throughout Greater Long Beach From the Board of Directors, Staff and especially the Children of Long Beach Day Nursery

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