Application for Appointment to
CHY CLERK
2025 APR - | AM 9: 18 City Board or Commission
Please provide the following information and return this application to the Office of the City Clerk by:
• EMAIL to the Office of the City Clerk at [email protected]:
• U.S. MAIL to Office of the City Clerk, 613 E. Broadway Suite 110, Glendale, CA 91206-4308; or • FAX to (818) 241-5386
Applicant must be a Glendale resident and registered to vote in the city.
Your application details must match your voter registration information.
PRINT LEGIBLY OR TYPE
Name of Board or Commission: Glendale Water & Power Commission Date: 03/31/2025 Are you currently serving on this Board or Commission and applying for reappointment? • Yes @ No
1. Personal
Legal Name: Zanku Armenian Date of Birt
Home Address
streat address SUite 7 unit city
Home Phone Number: ( Cell Phone Number:
Emall Address
Number of years lived in Glendale: 22
Are you a registered voter in the City of Glendale? (required) © Yes E No Have you previously served on a Board or Commission? # Yes •I No If Yes, what Commission(s) and years did you serve? DBG (2013-2024); truce 2010) I. Education
College: George Mason University Degree: BA, Communications College: Degree:_
I. Business / Protessional Experiener
Position:Director, Public Affairs Company Name: Southern Callfornia Edison Address:2244 Walnut Grove Ave. Rosemead 91770
Sireer address
Telephone Number:
Job Description: Direcior overseeing the Local Public Affairs division that is responsible for engagement with local governments and communities representing SCE and its service and work within all the communities in SCE's service area.
Design Review Board Candidates Onix
Are you a registered architect? • Yes • No Registration Number:_ K-506 (1/25) (over)
IV. Organizations / Civie Activities
List Affiliations: Board member Los Angeles Economic Development Corp.; Coro Southern California; ANCA National Board; Southern Californla Leadership Council; Glendale Community College Independent Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee V. Qualifications / Espenience
List relevant experience and skills: Twenty yours of experience In the investor owned utllity sector with a deep understanding of electric utility pollcy Issues, Infrastructure deployment, customer engagement and regulatory environment. Highly knowledgeable about utility best practices with local government and community engagement around utility Issues. Deep expertise with clean energy transition policies and execution on local, state and natlonal levels. Also have a very good understanding of water Issues on a local and state lovel, Including having participated In MWD Colorado River and Delta tours. Good understanding of GWP given past GP commission experience and participation In 2023 GWP Intagrated resource planning effort as part of the Stakeholder Technical Advisory Group
VI. Other Information
(A) Attach a current resume.
Include a brief written statement outlining your views on the roles and responsibilities of this Board or Commission, its key issues, and your goals if appointed. (attach an additional sheet if necessary) (C) If applicable, include the commission(s) on which you have served previously and include the time frame.
Served multiple terms on the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee 2013-2024 (recently termed out)
Served one term on the GWP Commission over a decade ago (2009-2013) NOTE: THIS FORM BECOMES PUBLIC INFORMATION. INFORM THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK IF THERE IS ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT THAT YOU DO NOT WANT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
K-506 (1/25)
Zanku G. Armenian
WORK EXPERIENCE
motion picture, utilities, transportation, airline, defense, aerospace and telecommunications sectors. Experienced in politics orking in Congress and on presidential, federal, state and local campaigns. Seasoned in business strategy, issues managemen ‹ternal and internal communications, media, crisis communications, coalitions, public affairs, community and stakeholde Southern California Edison (Edison International Company), Los Angeles 2011-present Director, Public Affairs
• Lead department of 60+ public affairs professionals responsible for managing issues and relationships with over 200 local governinents and communities in southern and central California. Member of senior executive leadership for Corporate Affairs team including Government Affairs and Corporate Communications groups working extensively with senior executive officers throughout the company on key engagements.
Responsible for short- and long-tenn strategic planning and public affairs capabilities for proactively pursuing policy issues and public engagement on the local, state and federal levels, including developing coalition campaigns around major company initiatives. Represent company on boards of major organizations like Los Angeles Economic Development Corp. and Southern California Leadership Council, led by former California governors. Lead team managing relationships with major business and local government associations such as Southern CA Association of Governments and League of CA Cities. Lead community engagement with local non-profit organizations working in partnership with corporate philanthropy team that manages $20 million in annual grants and employee resource groups. • Accountable for leading teams with a portfolio of high-profile public affairs and regulatory issues on key initiatives such as wildfire legislative policies, transportation and building electrification and e-mobility, over 55 billion annual grid modernization program, clean energy transition and sustainability, reliability and outage improvement and emergency preparedness. Work extensively with Customer Service and Transmission and Distribution organizations and corporate real estate team to facilitate company's extensive infrastructure initiatives and mitigate community issues such as land use, rights of way, entitlements, CEQA, environmental and community impacts. Leadership role in 2019 wildfire policy campaign resulting in passage of major legislation by the Califomia legislature and signed into law by Goy.
Gavin Newsom.
Led a major change management effort that reorganized the public affairs department in 2015-16 achieving $7 million in annual cost savings while also implementing a new lean public affairs organizational model.
New approach created capabilities that allow the public affairs team to deliver greater proactive strategic business value to the company while building the company brand and protecting its reputation.
Key leadership role in company-wide crisis management and emergency preparedness teams.
Responsibility over local and state-level public outreach mechanisms, processes and organization that maintains a constant state of readiness using FEMA standards and methodologies. Leader on executive level Corporate IMT (Incident Management Team) and Business Resiliency Oversight Committee. Senior leadership position on multiple crisis activations including wildfires, workplace violence with multiple employee fatalities, major power disruptions, environmental and nuclear plant issues and COVID response.
Most recently had a leadership role in community and government engagement for unprecedented 2025 Palisades and Eaton Fires crisis, emergency response, restoration and rebuild efforts.
Previously led issue campaigns including multi-billion-dollar smart meter program, navigating opposition campaign on EMF and privacy issues and working with local governments, elected leaders, regulators, community stakeholders and media. Managed public affairs on several major regional outage and disaster recovery crises. Leadership position managing multi-year issue with SCE's San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station that involved working with senior officers of the company, dealing with environmental opposition campaign, engaging with southern California communities, elected leaders and regulators to guide and shape the issue. Currently overseeing external outreach regarding plant decommissioning process. 2008-2011 Principal Manager, Corporate Communications
Senior leadership responsibilities for developing and executing enterprise-wide communications strategies for managing company reputation. Areas of responsibility included external and internal communications (including working with media and social media channels), corporate positioning, thought leadership, ssues management, communications planning and crisis communications. Managed team of 18 employees Responsibilities included managing workflow, resources, recruiting, coaching and employee developmen Member of senior management teams of key business units. Partner with and provide strategic counsel to senior executives, driving communications for major company initiatives. Broad and deep understanding of high-profile issues affecting company, providing communications counsel to executives. Liaison between senior leadership and corporate communications, managing resources and integrating efforts. • Led executive and organizational communications for largest company divisions and programs including:
Customer Service (4k+ employces); Edison SmartConnect™ (smart meter program); Transmission & Distribution (6k+ employees); Advanced Technology (Smart Grid); Power Procurement (trading & renewables); Power Production; and Ethics & Compliance. Worked on major programs including: Driving stakeholder and issues management communications strategy for the smart meter program; advising on transmission and distribution initiatives; communications planning and support for ERP and CRM implementations; company's values program roll out; and communications strategy for Smart Grid company positioning, thought leadership, messaging and issues management. Also worked with nuclear plant senior leadership devising communications strategies. 2006-2007 Senior Advisor, Corporate Communications
Senior Corporate Communications lead for new Ethics & Compliance department. New position created to provide communications support for company-wide initiative aimed at building an ethical culture after several infractions affecting the company's reputation and costing over $70 million in regulatory fines.
Responsibilities included building and executing a comprehensive internal communications plan working through a variety of communication channels and with senior leaders throughout the company to create a corporate values program. Also provided communications counsel on ethics situations as they developed. 2004-2005 Motion Picture Association of America, Los Angeles Corporate Communications Consultant (in-house)
• Communications lead charged with managing motion picture industry PR strategy on global anti-pirac legal downloading and intellectual property issues including peer-to-peer end-user lawsuits. Drov education outreach programs, executive speaking engagements, third-party alliances and media relations.
Worked on international litigation and enforcement communications programs with focus on Asia-Pacific. • Extensive work with member studios' senior management, PR, legal and technology teams coordinating media and consumer, legislative and technical policy initiatives. Managed PR agency work. • Led effort in communications department restructuring strategy. Conducted in-depth organizational, employee and member-company needs assessment and devised new PR department structure, resource needs, budgets and road map for expanding and centralizing global communications function.
Brodeur Worldwide (Omnicom Company)
2001-2003 Senior Vice President, General Manager Western Region, San Francisco • Member of U.S. leadership team of global technology marketing communications PR agency responsible for strategy, operations, business development and agency management. Responsibilities included western region P&L management with 25 employees in Silicon Valley/San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Phoenix. Led national telecommunications and wireless practice, managing global accounts such as Cable & Wireless. Domestic and international programs included corporate positioning, executive visibility, investor relations, M&As, trade shows, media relations, consumer and B2B marketing, analyst relations and branding.
• Led integration of west coast offices for acquisition of FitzGerald Communications. Merger work included capabilities and talent assessment, integration of processes and client management. 1998-2001 Vice President, Regional Manager, Washington, D.C. • Founded Washington, D.C. office and built a team of 20+ employees with revenues of $6 million. P&L responsibility for D.C. and Florida offices. Devised new services including technology policy issues nanagement practice. Major clients included Cable & Wireless, Discovery Networks, Digital Island Exodus, U S West (Qwest), Block Financial (H&R Block), Philips, Digital Media Association, Travelocity IBM and AT&T.
1991-1997 Powell Tate (Weber Shandwick company), Washington, D.C.
Group Director ('94-'97); Account Supervisor ('91-'93)
• Founding member of public affairs firm formed by Jody Powell, President Carter's press secretary and Sheila Tate, First Lady Nancy Reagan's press secretary; part of top-ranked lobbying firm Cassidy & Associates. Managed multi-state corporate communications and public affairs programs specializing i consensus building and media tours for clients with national legislative agendas; forging alliances with national and local business organizations; building coalitions; organizing events and press conferences; and editorial board briefings.
Led crisis response team responsible for design and implementation of communications strategies, message development, and intensive media relations. Media trained CEOs and high-profile political figures.
Directed media services department producing video and radio news releases, satellite media tours, press conferences, briefings and web sites. Key roles on M&A communications teams. • Managed public affairs policy issue campaigns with major airlines including American Airlines and Delta Air Lines on international aviation issues; major defense and aerospace contractors including General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin and Northrup Grumman on defense programs; worked on campaign for HRH Prince Khaled Bin Sultan of Saudi Arabia, who was co-commander of Allied Forces during the Gulf War with U.S. General Norman Schwarzkopf. Work included U.S. book tour and communications training for HRH's staff in Saudi Arabia.
1988 - 1991 Burson-Marsteller, Washington, D.C.
Account Executive, Media Relations
• Responsibilities involved execution of media strategies for major corporations and foreign governments.
Prepared and launched media campaigns including organizing press conferences, media pitching and story placement.
Produced 13 state-specific advocacy newsletters for Philip Morris USA with combined 1 million monthly circulation. Duties included reporting and covering legislation in 13 states plus regular nationwide feature articles. Extensive legislative research, writing, reporting, editing, design and layout. Also wrote feature articles for monthly editorial services package sent to 7,500 small local newspapers nationwide
RELATED EXPERIENCE
2022-present Board of Directors, Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) 2020-present Board of Directors, Coro Southern California Coro is the preeminent organization with the mission to strengthen the democratic process by preparing emerging leaders for effective and ethical leadership in public affairs. 2014-present Board of Directors (alternate for CEO), Southern California Leadership Council SCLC is a business-led public policy partnership that exerts leadership on public policy issues of regiona ignificance. SCLC unites business and community leaders from the seven-county region and three forme California Governors and two-dozen Presidents and CEO's of top Southern California companies. 2014-present Board of Directors, USC Price School of Public Policy, Local Leaders Program The local leaders program prepares local elected leaders in ethics, governance, leadership and public policy.
Participants in the program are mayors, city council members and supervisors. 2013-present Chair, Glendale Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee Appointed by Glendale City Council to CDBG Advisory Committee that reviews and recommends allocation of federal HUD funds for local non-profit programs that aid low income citizens and social service programs. 2017-present Chair, Glendale Community College Independent Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee Appointed by Glendale Community College Board of Trustees to committee with responsibility to oversee $42:
million in bond measure funds to renovate and modernize GCC campus facilities 2014-2021 Board of Directors, Bizfed (Los Angeles County Business Federation) BizFed is one of LA County's largest and most influential business advocacy organizations, representing tens of thousands of businesses across the County. Co-Chair Energy and Environment Committee. 2009 - 2013 President, Glendale Water & Power Commission Commissioner appointed by the Glendale City Council with oversight responsibility for power and water operations, facilities, management and customer programs in LA County's third largest city. 2009 - 2012 Columnist, Los Angeles Times
Opinion columnist for Glendale News-Press, Burbank Leader, and other LA Times community newspapers. 1987 - 1988 U.S. Congress
Legislative internships in the offices of former Sen. Joe Biden and former Rep. John LaFalce. Primary responsibilities included research, writing, constituency relations and other facets of the legislative process.
Worked in the U.S. Senate office of President Biden as well as his 1988 presidential campaign
EDUCATION
2015 Harvard Business School
Executive Education, Authentic Leadership Development Program Intensive program for senior executives on developing authentic leadership skills to help prepare for more complex and higher levels of responsibility in large organizations. Program uses HBS case study method and peer-based working groups to explore leadership issues, challenges and methodologies to be an authentic and 2012-present Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - Emergency Management Institute Certificates: ICS 100, 200, 700, 300, 400 (complex incidents), 402 (Incident Management for Executives/Senior 1987 George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication. Secondary concentration in Government and Politics.
While in school, extensive work in Washington, D.C. in Congress on both the House and Senate sides including then Senator Joe Biden's office, his presidential campaign, ABC News and other early career experiences.
PERSONAL or in Boston, Mass. Growing up, my family lived and traveled extensively overseas in Europe and th liddle East. I went to school and lived in London, England; Beirut, Lebanon; Washington, D.C., Philadelphi Pittsburgh, New York and San Francisco. California resident since 2002/Los Angeles since 2003.