BOARD AND MEMBERS
Members play a vital role in LAEDC’s mission and governance.
To learn more about membership, please contact Shane.Cullen@laedc.org.
Quick-view graphic of LAEDC members here.
LAEDC CHAIRS
LAEDC is effective because of the leadership of our members.
Please take a moment to meet the individuals below!
LAEDC Chair, Steven A. Nissen
President and CEO, Nissen Consulting Group
Steve Nissen is the President and CEO of Nissen Consulting Group. For the previous 12 years until his retirement from NBCUniversal in January 2020, Nissen was responsible for state and local government affairs for NBCUniversal, from intellectual property protection, First Amendment and film production to land use and government compliance. Mr. Nissen is on the Executive Committee of the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp., was the 2017 Chair of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, and past Chair of the Central City Association, FilmLA and the L.A. BioMed (now known as the Lundquist Institute). Nissen also is one of 9 Board Members of one of California’s largest charitable foundations, the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation. He has also served on the Executive Committees of the L.A. Police Foundation and Valley Industries and Commerce Association and is a Board Member of the Metropolitan YMCA.
Prior to NBCUniversal, Mr. Nissen was a partner in the national law firm of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, representing a wide range of clients, from Fortune 500 companies to nonprofit entities.
From 1999-2002, Nissen was a senior official with California Governor Gray Davis. Nissen served as the Governor’s Interim Staff Director, as Director of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, and as Senior Special Assistant for Innovation in Government. Among other tasks, he served as the Governor’s liaison to the Blue Ribbon Panel on Hate Groups, chaired by former Secretary of State Warren Christopher and former California Governor George Deukmejian.
Before joining Governor Davis’ staff, Nissen was Executive Director of the State Bar of California, then the largest private regulatory body in the nation. He took charge in the midst of a political crisis triggered by a veto of the legislation to fund the Bar. He worked closely with then Governor Pete Wilson’s office, the California Legislature and the state Supreme Court to restore funding to the State Bar while at the same time streamlining the organization’s multiple functions.
Prior to that, Nissen was President of Public Counsel Law Center, which he built into the country’s largest pro bono law firm. Under his leadership, Public Counsel grew to a staff of some 50 dedicated individuals and a cadre of 10,000 volunteer attorneys providing over $200 million worth of legal services to children, the elderly, low-income families, and nonprofit organizations. During his tenure at Public Counsel, he was also an adjunct professor at USC School of Law. He has maintained his commitment to legal services to the indigent by serving as Co-Chair of the California State Bar Legal Services Trust Fund Commission and Standing Committee member of the American Bar Association Pro Bono and Public Service Committee. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to the community in the civic, government, nonprofit, corporate and legal sectors.
LAEDC Vice Chair, Rudy B. Medina
President, Southern California Market
Rudy Medina serves as the Southern California market president for U.S. Bank, the fifth largest commercial bank in the United States. Medina leads the market in company-wide efforts and activities while directing commercial banking in Southern California. Medina has over 35 years of banking and financial services experience and joins U.S. Bank from Bank of America, where he served as chief operating officer, business banking division.
Previous to this he held the role of market president and senior vice president, market executive, California Central Valley, directing all middle market banking and serving as the senior executive in the market. Medina is active in the community and currently serves on the board of the Western Bankers Association and California Chamber of Commerce. Locally, Medina is on the boards of the Central City Association of Los Angeles, United Way of Greater Los Angeles, and Los Angeles Economic Development Council. Medina earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of the Pacific and is a previous winner of the Kermit O’Hansen Award of Excellence from the Pacific Coast Banking School. Medina and his wife, Susan reside in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Immediate Past Chair, Dr. Dianne F. Harrison
President, CSUN
Dr. Dianne F. Harrison will be the first academic leader elected to serve as Chair of LAEDC, at a time when understanding and preparing for the changing face of work is an increasing priority for the organization and its education, government and private sector members, especially with LAEDC’s ideation and launch of the Center for a Competitive Workforce with LA County’s 19 community colleges, the Los Angeles Orange County Regional Consortia, and the LA Area Chamber of Commerce.
As one of the founders of the “CSU5” collaboration of the five Cal State Universities in LA County, Dr. Harrison rallied support for providing funding, alongside many private sector and philanthropic organizations, for the implementation of the LA County Strategic Plan for Economic Development (2016-2020), which became Propel LA, located at the LAEDC. Dr. Harrison has also been a vocal promoter of the role of innovation in our economy and in talent development, through CSUN investments in technology incubation.
Dr. Harrison is also known for her strong commitment to community and for building strong partnerships with public-, nonprofit- and private- sector organizations, which fits the LAEDC’s collaborative economic development approach. Dr. Harrison began her appointment as president of CSUN in June 2012. Prior to CSUN, Dr. Harrison served as president of California State University, Monterey Bay, and prior to that she worked at Florida State University.
Past LAEDC Chairs include:
2019/2019: Eric Rowen, Principal Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig LLP
2017/2018: Jodie Lesh, SVP, National Delivery System Strategy, Planning and Design at Kaiser Permanente
2016/2017: Chris Martin, CEO and Chairman of AC Martin and Martin Project Management
2015/2016: Praful Kulkarni, founding partner of gkk works
2014/2015: Raul A. Anaya, President, Bank of America – Greater Los Angeles Region
2013/2014: Lew Horne, President, CBRE Inc., Greater Los Angeles and Orange County Region
2012/ 2013: Christopher Carey, Chief Financial Officer, City National Bank
2011/ 2012: Robert Hertzberg, California State Senator and former Speaker of the California State Assembly
2010/2011: Maura O’Connor, O’Connor Cochran LLP
2009/2010: Lloyd Greif, USC Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
LAEDC Executive Committee members also serve on the Board of Governors (see next section).
ABL Inc.
David Abel, Publisher-Metro Investment Report, The Planning Report, Past LAEDC Chair
AC Martin
Tom Hsieh, AIA, LEED AP | CEO & President
AECOM
Kelli Bernard, EVP & National Cities Leader
Alston & Bird LLP
Tom Wingard, Partner
Amazon Web Services Educate
Mike Berman, Principal Program Manager
American Honda Motor Company
Erik Wedin, Manager, Corporate Community Relations
Bank of America
Daniel Timmons, SVP, Global Client Market Executive
Robert Bush Corporation
Bob Bush, Founding Member & Former LAEDC Chair
Bolton & Company
Mike Morey, COO
California Resources Corporation
Richard Venn, Director, Communications
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Dan Montplaisir, Vice President for University Advancement
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Dr. Thomas A. Parham, President
California State University, Long Beach
Dr. Jane Conoley, President
California State University, Los Angeles
Dr. Jose Gomez, Executive Vice President + Chief Operating Officer
California State University, Northridge
Dr. Dianne Harrison, President
Caruso
Sharon Keyser, SVP, Planning, Government and Community Relations
CBRE
Lewis C. Horne, President, Greater Los Angeles-Orange County Region, Past LAEDC Chair
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Thomas M. Priselac, President + CEO
Chevron
Rod Spackman, Manager, Public & Government Affairs- LA Basin
Citibank N.A
Halé Behzadi, Managing Director and Global Market Manager, Western Region
City National Bank
Scott Witter, Executive Vice President, Core Banking Division
Comcast NBCUniversal
Kathy Banuelos, Vice President of Legal & Government Affairs
County of Los Angeles
Sachi Hamai, Chief Executive Officer
Crown Castle
Mark Guillen, Manager Public Affairs
David Fleming
Founding Member & Former LAEDC Chair
Dentons
Tom Vandiver, Partner
Department of Water and Power City of Los Angeles
Bryan Schweickert, Assistant Director, Key Accounts Section, Customer Service Division
EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants
Rose Nordbrock, Principal and Practice Group Leader
Ernst & Young LLP
Mark Sogomian, Partner
Giroux Glass
Natalie Lomedico, President & CEO
gkkworks | CannonDesign
Praful Kulkarni, Principal | Director of Integrated Services
Goodwill Southern California
Patrick McClenahan, President and CEO
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Eric Rowen, Principal Shareholder
Hackman Capital Partners
Tyler Friedman, Senior Vice President—Corporate Administration
ICG Advisors, LLC
Jeff Assaf, Senior Managing Director
JP Morgan Chase Bank
Chris Gerardi, Executive Director of Middle Market Banking
Kaiser Permanente
Jodie Lesh, Senior Vice President, Office of Transformation Past LAEDC Chair
LACMTA
Joshua Schank, Chief Innovation Officer
Los Angeles County Public Works Department
Mark Pestrella, Executive Director, Department of Public Works
Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board
Cherylynn Hoff, Strategic Initiatives Manager
Los Angeles Rams
Maria Camacho, Government Affairs
Los Angeles World Airports
Justin Erbacci, CEO
Lundquist Institute
Dr. David Meyer, President & CEO
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Jeff Kightlinger, General Manager
Nissen Consulting Group
Steve Nissen, Principal, LAEDC Chair
Nixon Peabody LLP
Justin X. Thompson, Los Angeles Office Managing Partner
O’Connor Cochran LLP
Maura O’Connor, Partner, Past LAEDC Chair
O’Melveny & Myers LLP
Liz Dubeck, Partner
Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis
Goetz Wolff, Representative
Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas
Dwayne Gathers, Representative
Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl
Katy Yaroslavsky, Environment & Arts Policy Deputy
Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn
Jayme S. Wilson, Representative
Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger
Monica Banken, Workforce and Economic Development Deputy
Port of Long Beach
Dr. Noel Hacegaba, Chief Commercial Officer
Port of Los Angeles
Gene Seroka, Executive Director
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Benjamin Luedeke, Partner
Servicon Systems, Inc.
Laurie Sewell, President
Southern California Edison
Michael Backstrom, Managing Director, Energy & Environmental Policy
Southern California Gas Company
Geoffrey Danker, AICP, Policy & Environmental Strategy
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan
Jake Loftus, Of Counsel
SUNHC
Raymond Holdsworth, CEO + Co-Founder, Past LAEDC Chair
Tech Mahindra
Mihika Baruah, Country Manager, Southern California
Turner Construction
Reed McMains, Vice President + General Manager, SoCal
UCLA
Gene Block, Chancellor
Union Bank
Todd Hollander, Managing Director
Univision Communications, Inc.
Luis Patino, Senior Vice President & General Manager
US Bank
Rudy Medina, President, Southern California Market
USC
Sam Garrison, Senior Vice President, University Relations
Watson Land Company
Jeffrey R. Jennison, President
Wells Fargo Bank
Tami Kita, Senior Vice President
Western States Petroleum Association
Catherine Reheis-Boyd, President
Working Nation
Art Bilger, Founder and CEO
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
LAEDC Executive Committee members also serve on the Board of Governors (see next section).
Acara Solutions
Ryan Stenvick, VP Business Development, West
Amgen, Inc.
Matthew Welsh, Government Affairs Manager
Arizona State University
Alison Scott Dean, Engagement and Partnerships
Art Center College of Design
Jered Gold, Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Bank of China
Yong Ou, Branch Manager
The Boeing Company
Mark Taylor, Director, State & Local Government
Operations
BYD Motors, Inc.
Stella Li, Chief Executive Officer
Cerritos College
Belle Gomez, Director of Community Advancement
Center for a Competitive Workforce
Richard Verches, Executive Director
Charter Communications
Stephen Sawyer, Director of Government Affairs
Chubb Group of Insurance Companies
Carl Davidson, Vice President, CCI Underwriting
Manager
Citibank N.A
James Alva, SVP Community Development
Citrus College
Michael Wangler, Dean of Career, Technical & Continuing Education
City of Arcadia
Tim Schwehr, Economic Development Analyst
City of Beverly Hills
John Mirisch, Mayor
City of Burbank
Mary Hamzoian, Economic Development Manager
City of Compton
Aja Brown, Mayor
City of Carson
LaToya Butler, Business and Employment Development
City of Culver City
Todd Tipton, Redevelopment Administrator
City of Duarte
Craig Hensley, Director of Community Development
City of El Segundo
Barbara Voss, Assistant City Manager
City of Gardena
Tasha Cerda, Mayor
City of Irwindale
Marilyn Simpson, Community Development Director
City of Industry
Sam Pedroza, Public Affairs Manager
City of Lancaster
Chenin Dow, Economic Development Director
City of Long Beach
John Keisler, Director of Economic Development
City of Monrovia
Craig Jimenez, Community Development Director
City of Palmdale
Mike Behen, Acting Director Economic & Community
Development
City of Pasadena
Eric Duyshart, Economic Development Manager
City of Pico Rivera
Julia Gonzalez, Community & Economic Development
Deputy Director
City of Santa Fe Springs
Wayne Morrell, Principal Planner- Planning & Development
City of Santa Monica
Jennifer Taylor, Economic Development Administrator
City of South Gate
Maria Bernal, Mayor
City of Torrance
Fran Fulton, Economic Development Manager
City of Vernon
Carlos Fandino, City Manager
City of West Hollywood
Tara Worden, Business Development Analyst
College of the Canyons
Jeffrey Forrest, Vice President, Economic and Workforce Development
Community Development Commission of Los Angeles County
TBD
Compton College
Keith Curry, President
DLA Piper
Andrew Brady, Associate
East Los Angeles College
Paul de la Cerda, Dean, Economic & Workforce
Development
East West Bank
Paul Branks, Senior Vice President and Regional Director
El Camino College
Roberta Becka, Writer, Grants Professional and Projects Manager
FivePoint
Sandy Sanchez, Community Development Director
Foley & Lardner, LLP
Diane Ung, Partner
Gensler
John Adams, Managing Principal
Glendale Community College
Jan Swinton, Associate Dean, Instruction & Workforce Development
Grifols
Willie Zuniga, President + CEO
ICBC Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
Alice Gao, SVP, Head of Commercial Banking
Junior Achievement
Les McCabe, President & CEO
JVS
Mark Edwards, VP of Government Relations
Kelly Services
Genine Wilson, Region Manager
KPMG LLP
Jim Adams, Advisory Principal
LA/OC Regional Consortium + Center of Excellence
Alex Davis, Executive Director
Los Angeles City College
TBD
Los Angeles Community College District
Francisco Rodriguez, Chancellor
Los Angeles Convention Center
Doane Liu, Executive Director
Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning
Richard Bruckner, Director of Planning
Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Business Affairs
Joseph M. Nicchitta, Director
Los Angeles Harbor College
Sandra Sanchez, Dean, Economic & Workforce Development
Los Angeles Mission College
Marla Uliana, Dean of Academic Affairs
Los Angeles Southwest College
Dr. Seher Awan, President
Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Dr. Katrina Vanderwoude, President
Los Angeles Valley College
Deborah diCesare, Dean of Academic Affairs & Economic Development
Long Beach City College
Leah Goold-Haws, Director of Global Trade and Logistics
Loyola Marymount University
Dayle Smith, Dean, College of Business Administration
Meruelo Enterprises
Chris Christy, Executive Vice President, Corporate
Development
Millennium Partners Los Angeles
Joseph Mariani, Project Manager
Mt. San Antonio College
Bill Scroggins, President
Northrop Grumman
Christine McGlade, Vice President, Space Park
Paramount Pictures
Shawn Covell, SVP of Government Affairs
Pasadena City College
Salvatrice Cummo, Director of Workforce Development
Pepperdine School of Public Policy
Carson Bruno, Assistant Dean for Admission and Program Relations
Pierce College
Dr. Alexis Montevirgen, President
Rio Hondo College
Mike Slavich, Dean of Career Technical Education
RSM US LLP
David Hill, Partner
Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County
Grace Robinson Hyde, Chief Engineer + General Manager
Santa Monica College
Tricia Ramos, Dean, Workforce & Economic Development
Sentinel Peak Resources
Amanda Parsons, Community and Government Affairs
Skanska
Ellen Mair, Director, Business Development and Edward Segovia, VP, Operations
Space X
Bret Johnsen, CFO
United Airlines
Melinda Yee Franklin, Managing Director, Corporate & Government Affairs
Valley Presbyterian Hospital
Gus Valdespino, President + CEO
Vasquez & Company, LLC
Gilbert Vasquez, Managing Partner
Warner Bros Entertainment, Inc.
Michael Walbrecht, Vice President
Water Replenishment District of Southern California
Angie Mancillas, Government Affairs Representative
WeWork
Ingrid Thorlaksson, Public Affairs Manager
West Los Angeles College
Robert Sprague, Vice President, Academic Affairs
WET Design
Teresa Powell-Caldwell, Senior Vice President, Business and Project Development
WNB Commercial Bank
David Macdonald, Regional President
Zhuhai North American Representative Office
TBD
LAEDC Affiliate Members
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AvAirPros
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Catalina Express
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Hatch Spaces
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Hospital Association of Southern California
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International Trade Education Programs Inc.
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LA Auto Show
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Larta Institute
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Leavenworth Endeavors
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Local Initiatives Support Coalition (LISC)
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Los Angeles Local Development Corporation
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MiLA Capital
LAEDC Strategic Partners
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Asia Society of Southern California
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Bizfed
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British American Business Council
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California Fashion Association
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California Stewardship Network (CSN)
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Central City Association and Downtown Center Business Improvement District
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Japan America Society of Southern California
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Japan Businesss Association
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Latino Business Chamber of Greater Los Angeles
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Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
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National Association of Women Business Owners, Los Angeles
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Southern California Biomedical
LAEDC Regional Economic Development Partners
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Greater Antelope Valley Economic Alliance (GAVEA)
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San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership
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Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation
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The Valley Economic Alliance
