Thomas F. Duffy, board chairman of the Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley recently announced the appointment of Judy Angelo as Chief Executive Officer. Angelo assumed this newly created position in November. Previously Angelo served as vice president of operations and special events with the Economic Partnership of the San Gabriel Valley. In 2007, the Volunteer Centers of Monrovia and San Gabriel combined to form a new larger agency to serve the entire Valley.

Present at the annual Police Chief’s breakfast was Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard; Judge Dorothy Nelson: and Barney Melekian. Celebrating Melekian’s return as Pasadena’s Police Chief after a nine-month stint as city manager. Melekian talked about his very “Interesting Year” as interim City Manager for Pasadena.  Barney shared his experience inside City Hall but also outlined some of his five-year plan for the future of the Pasadena Police Department. 

Mary Ann Lutz, of Monrovia, has been reappointed to the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board. She has served on the board since 2004. Lutz has served on the Monrovia City Council since 2003 and has owned and served as president of Lutz and Company, Incorporated, an electronic court reporting company, since 1997. Prior to that, she served as the California division manager for Northwest Transcripts, Incorporated from 1988 to 1997.  Lutz is a member of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Board, Los Angeles County Division of the California League of California Cities Board and the Los Angeles County Integrated Waste Management Task Force.
 
California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner provided the keynote address during the Valley Industry and Commerce Association’s (VICA) 59th Annual Meeting held in Dec. The 59th Annual Meeting recognized volunteers, corporate leaders and public officials. Lakeside Community Healthcare received the Robert E. Gibson Corporate Award of Excellence and the 15th Annual Harmon Ballin Community Service Award was presented to Tyree Wieder, former president of Los Angeles Valley College. The 3rd Annual President’s Award was given to John Bradley, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Inc.

VICA also installed its new board members and officers. “We are pleased to honor our dedicated VICA members,” said VICA President Stuart Waldman. “These community leaders have contributed to VICA’s growth and helped improve the Valley business community. ” Greg Lippe, began his second year of his two- year term as the Chairman of The Board. Visit www.vica.com for more information.

The year 2009 marks the fifth anniversary of the City of Glendale’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).  One of the many programs sponsored by CSW is the annual Jewels of Glendale awards luncheon.   “The Jewels -- women who work, live, or study in Glendale – are honored for overcoming obstacles, serving as role models in the community, and demonstrating exceptional strength, courage, and perseverance,”   said Marie Y. Lemelle, chair of the 2009 Jewels of Glendale, CSW commissioner and founder of Platinum Star Public Relations.  Held every March, during Women’s History Month, the Commission honors two extraordinary women in Glendale.  CSW is currently seeking nominations for the 2009 Jewels of Glendale Awards. The Glendale Women of Courage will be honored on Thursday, March 26, 2009 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Anoush Banquet Hall,  1320 W. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale.. For additional information visit:www.ci.glendale.ca.us/women/pdf/Jewels_of_Glendale_2009_Nomination_Form.pdf.

Gov. Schwarzenegger announced the following Appointments to Los Angeles County Superior Court:  Karla D.Kerlin, of Glendale, worked with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office as a deputy in charge since March 2008 and special assistant and deputy district attorney from 1990 to 2008; Amy M Pellman, of Arcadia, has served as a commissioner of the Los Angeles County Superior Court since 2005:  Ray A. Santana, of South Pasadena, has been a deputy public defender with the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office since 1981. He was a law fellow with Reginald Heber Smith Community Lawyer Fellowship from 1979 to 1981.

Duarte City Council members voted unanimously to elect John Fasana, Mayor and Redevelopment Agency Chairman for 2008-2009 and Margaret Finlay, Mayor Pro Tem during the annual reorganization of the City Council in November. Fasana was first elected to the Duarte City Council in 1987 and was reelected in 1991, 1995, 1999, and 2003. Fasana previously served as mayor in 1990, 1997 and 2003. He has represented 30 San Gabriel Valley cities as a director to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) since its inception in 1993. He represents the City of Duarte in the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments and chairs of the transportation committee.   

KTGY Group, Inc., after months of collaboration with developer Urban Housing Group, the City of Monrovia and KTGY, Urban Housing Group has begun construction on a pivotal mixed-use commercial/residential urban community in the City of Monrovia’s Old Town district, The Courtyards at Old Town. Located in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley about five miles east of Pasadena, The Courtyards at Old Town will consist of four stories of residential built over 2,000 square feet of retail and 4,000 square feet of commercial/flex space. The proposed buildings will reflect the eclectic nature of Old Town by emphasizing a diversity of building forms, massing, materials and colors. “We are maintaining the historic character of Old Town with its late 19th century, early 20th century architecture and recreating some of the Old Town’s intimate outdoor spaces such as alleys and plazas,” said KTGY’s Jirair Garabedian, AIA, LEED AP and lead designer for the project.

Ellen Daigle of Ellen’s Silk-screening Embroidery and Promotional Products a previous Business Life Women Achiever was recently recognized as a “Women in Business Award” honoree by three legislators.  She received a certificate honoring her as a recipient of the Women in Business Awards sponsored by California State Senator Jack Scott, Assembly member Paul Krekorian and Assembly member Anthony Portantino.  Daigle received the award with 19 other successful local women.  The award was presented during a ceremony, which featured the co-owners of the LA Sparks basketball team, Carla Christoffersona and Kathy Goodman.