Date: April 25, 2023
To: Members of the Government Operations and Efficiency Committee From: Mayor Rex Richardson
Subject: Appointments for Charter Commissions
RECOMMENDATION:
To receive Charter Commission appointments and reappointments pursuant to Section 509 of the City Charter and Section 2.03.065 of the Long Beach Municipal Code.
APPOINTMENTS:
New Appointments
Civil Service Commission
1. Jose Osuna (CD8) – At Large – effective 05.02.23, Term: July 2023 – June 2027
Jose Osuna has been a leading voice in the fight for justice for those that have experienced incarceration for well over a decade. His journey began at Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest gang rehab program, under the leadership of Father Gregory Boyle. Having experienced over 13 years of incarceration himself, Jose was able to enter the Homeboy Industries program as a participant and eventually was named their Director of External Affairs, a role through which he was able to utilize his voice and his experiences to lead many efforts in the name of justice for the formerly incarcerated, including the fight to Ban the Box at the state, county and city levels. He is also an advocate for crime survivors’ rights, having lost his son, Moises, to gun violence in 2017. Jose has been asked to speak on his experiences throughout the country, including The White House and the U.S.
Congress. Jose is currently the Director of External Affairs for Brilliant Corners, a statewide housing organization that focuses on the development of permanent supportive housing for many types of special needs communities, including those that have experienced incarceration. In his role Jose is tasked with leading Brilliant Corners’ advocacy efforts in addressing the many housing justice issues that exist in our communities today, as well as building out the organization’s government relationships. Jose is also a member of the Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Multi-Cultural Advisory Commission.
2 2. Robyn Gordon-Peterson (CD4) – At Large – effective 07.01.23, Term:
July 2023 – June 2027
Ms. Robyn Gordon-Peterson, a long-term resident of Long Beach, graduated from Long Beach Poly High School, she received an associate degree from Long Beach City College, bachelor’s degree from Webster University and her master’s degree from Cal State University, Dominguez Hills. She retired from Long Beach Transit after 25 years of service, her last position as the company’s Chief Operating Officer. She remains active in the community currently serving on the following boards: LBCC Foundation Board of Governors, Helping Homeless Students, Care Closet LBC, Precious Lamb Preschool, Long Beach Day Nursery, HB, 4Girls Organization and the Rotary Club of Long Beach. Robyn is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and the NAACP. She serves as Chair of the LBCC Personnel Commission and is the Trustee’s appointee. She lives in Long Beach with her husband Eric, an LBCC and CSULB graduate, parents to eight children with the youngest two daughters, Genevieve and Angelique remaining at home while attending LBCC. The family has been taken over by Koa and Kona, two Maltese dogs who joined the family in March 2022.
Planning Commission
1. Michele Ware (CD5) – At Large – effective 05.03.23, Term: July 2023 – June 2027
Michele Ware is the President of the Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater Los Angeles (BOMA/GLA) and administers the organization’s board of directors, strategic alliances, industry relations, community and civic relations, and association operations. She is responsible for an institution that is the commercial real estate industry’s unfailing advocate, representing diverse interests in their community and at all levels of government. Michele is a mission-driven business executive with a 25-year career that is steeped in human relations and community development. She serves on the Building Skills Partnership’s Board of Directors. Her work also focuses on advocacy for frontline workers, who were disproportionately devastated by the pandemic while working on the frontlines to help keep the public safe and moving forward. Michele advocates for a better cost of living, wages, and skills education for workers.
2. Michael Clemson (CD3) – At Large – effective 07.01.23, Term: July 2023 – June 2027
Michael Clemson has over 15 years of experience in the sustainability, building and transportation fields. He is committed to helping Long Beach build a better city while meeting its sustainability goals. Michael Clemson
currently serves on the Board of Directors for Long Beach Transit. He has a passion for transportation, is an avid cyclist and transit rider, and he believes that one of the critical things that makes a city great is having diverse transit options, including public and active transportation. In his role as the Carbon Reduction Manager for the California State University Office of the Chancellor, Michael works directly to promote energy efficiency and sustainability.
Parks and Recreation Commission
1. Peter Bostic (CD5) – At Large – effective 05.02.23, Term: July 2023 – June 2027
Growing up Peter was lucky to have an active park across the street from his elementary school offering a host of athletic, recreation and enrichment activities. Queen Anne Park was his home away from home. Bostic started his YMCA career with the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles implementing outreach fitness programs at Martin Luther King Hospital, the Watts Health Foundation and 14 elementary schools. After building and opening the Weingart Wellness and Aquatic Center at the corner of Century and Vermont in South L.A., Peter went on to serve with the San Francisco and Orange County YMCA’s. Peter made the transition to assist California Community College students by serving as the Foundation Director at Santa Ana College, Solano College and most recently Los Angeles Harbor College. Along his 40 - year non-profit management journey, he most enjoyed serving as Executive Director of the Long Beach Public Library Foundation and Leadership Long Beach, where working with the Youth Leadership Long Beach Program gave him his most joy. Peter and his wife Hiedy have lived in Long Beach since 1996 and have two children, Anthony, and Ashleigh.
Public Utilities Commission
1. Kevin Scott (CD2) – At Large – effective 07.01.23, Term: July 2023 – June 2027
Kevin is an executive board member and Secretary/Treasurer of the Long Beach Firefighters Association. As a CPA and chief financial officer, he brings a unique perspective on financial reporting and accounting expertise to the Utilities Commission, with over three decades of experience in private industry, government, and non-profit sectors. Kevin is active in the community and local politics. He’s been a resident, homeowner, small business owner, and firefighter in the City of Long Beach since 2004. He is a husband and father of two grown children. Finally, as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, he possesses a unique perspective that ultimately will benefit the community.
Reappointments
Civil Service Commission
Joen Garnica - Reappointment to Second Term through June 2027
Harbor Commission
Bonnie Lowenthal - Reappointment to Second Term through June 2029
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact.
Suggested Action
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully submitted,
Mayor Rex Richardson
April 25, 2023