Letter of Appointment
May 21, 2024
Dear President Bas and members of the City Council:
Pursuant to City Charter Section 601, the Mayor has appointed the following persons as members of the following board or commission, subject to City Council confirmation:
Library Commission
Elias Lawler, to serve a three-year term beginning October 16, 2023 and ending October 15, 2026, filling a seat previously held by Angelica V alentine.
Anand Patel, to serve a three-year term beginning November 14, 2023 and ending November 13, 2026, filling a seat previously held by Caleb Smith.
Carolyn Jones, to serve a three-year term beginning June 19, 2024 and ending June 18, 2027, filling a seat previously held by Catherine Smith.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
Sincerely,
Mayor Sheng Thao
Submit Date: Feb 18, 2024
First Name Middle
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Email Address
Street Address Suite or Apt
City State Postal Code
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City of Oakland Boards & Commissions
Profile
What City Council district do you live in?
District 3
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
Library Commission: Submitted
Interests & Experiences
Please tell us how your qualifications and participation will relate to the requested board and/or commission's mission.
Libraries have been a source of comfort and community for me as far back as I can remember. I see libraries as critical to any community, because they serve as vital community hubs, fostering a sense of belonging, bridging differences between people, and providing access to information that promotes free and critical thought. The Oakland Public Library (OPL) is particularly special as it goes beyond the conventional role of a library. It stands out for its innovative approach to community involvement, exemplified by unique initiatives such as providing video games and toys alongside traditional offerings like books and movies. This approach recognizes that a library is not just a repository of information but a dynamic space that evolves with the community's needs. I believe my experiences and background align with the goals of the Library Commission, and I am eager to contribute to the community in this capacity. As a Library Technical Assistant at Grinnell College, I gained insights into budget allocation and community engagement, which I believe would be beneficial to the Commission's oversight responsibilities for Measure C and Measure D tax funds. My work in curating film displays and ensuring the acquisition of culturally significant media items at Grinnell College has given me a unique perspective on meeting diverse community preferences. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of contributing to the enhancement of the library's media offerings, aligning with the Commission's mission. In my role as a house coordinator at Grinnell College's Popcorn House, I had the opportunity to mediate conflicts, respond to emergencies, and organize events for a residential community.
Additionally, my campus-wide movie interest surveys before purchasing licenses for the Popcorn House helped to ensure that the weekly movie screenings at the college theater reflected the diverse preferences of the community. These experiences have prepared me well for the Library Commission's goal of advocating for OPL programs and services.
Elias Lawler
Oakland CA 94608
Oakland Unified School
District Elementary School Teacher
Elias Lawler
Upload a Resume
Please submit your resume or curriculum vitae. You may upload a document. (A Word format is preferred.) Alternatively, you may paste the text of your resume in the field provided below.
Please paste the text of your resume or curriculum vitae below.
Elias Lawler | Education BA in Mathematics and
Philosophy, G a (Junior Induction), Dean’s List all
semesters, Hill Award Winner for Piano 2021, PBK Sophomore Book Award 2021, Pioneer Weekend Award 2022 (2-credit educational partnership program with the local highschool), HackGC Award 2022 (mobile app that reduces food waste from the dining hall), 66th percentile Putnam Mathematics Competition 2021 Research Experience Philosophical Research Fellow July—December 2022 Department of Philosophy, Grinnell College Awarded $4500 for a research fellowship to study the philosophy of aesthetics in Florence, Italy with philosophy professor (July - August 2022) Authored senior thesis, “Italian Cinema and the Ontology of Film” (September 2022 - December 2022) Philosophy Student Researcher August 2021—December 2021 Department of Philosophy, Grinnell College Conducted research by invitation from philosophy of science professor Authored a paper consolidating foundational lexicon within the philosophy of science Work Experience 5th Grade Teacher September 2023—Current Oakland Unified School District Plan lessons in line with district standards for all 5th grade subjects Adapt instruction to individualized needs of different students Conduct daily SIPPS lessons: state required lessons to teach fundamentals of English UED tutoring to help students reclassify from being English Language Learner to Fluent English Speaker Library Technical Assistant August 2021—May 2023 Grinnell College Curated film display for the library Ensured that the library acquired notable films such as those that won film awards and nominations around the world or were culturally significant Processed and cataloged 200+ new media items for easy access Promoted to Library Technical Assistant II in August 2022 Virtual Reality Game Developer June 2022—October 2022 Hanger VR Planned and designed levels for a game in Unity that challenges users to move through obstacles by grappling onto floating objects Ensured that the physics of the game were fine-tuned to be dynamic and realistic for users by incorporating beta testers’ feedback Wrote C# code to support the PC version of the game House Coordinator August 2021—May 2022 Grinnell College Popcorn House Applied for and won a ‘project’ house spot on campus to establish a space for film fans and named it ‘Popcorn House’ Responsible for allocating $3800 house budget Mediated conflicts between house members, promoting a harmonious residential community Responded to emergency situations on campus as an on- call student leader Coordinated campus events for 400+ students e.g. Valentine’s Day event Conducted campus-wide movie interest surveys before purchasing movie licenses Organized 2 movie screenings/week at the campus theater including postering, social media posts, campus wide emails and food arrangements Community Experience Philosophy SEPC Treasurer August 2022—May 2023 Department of Philosophy, Grinnell College Led interviews with students and authored in-depth evaluations to inform critical faculty promotion decisions Interviewed prospective faculty, providing insightful assessments to support the faculty hiring committee Oversaw and allocated the department's financial resources for various academic events International Culture and Cuisine Organization Cabinet Member August 2022—May 2023 Grinnell College Planned and hosted weekly dinners including Japanese Dinner, Korean Dinner, Indian Street Food Night, etc. Hosted 400+ students at the Annual International Dinner in collaboration with 10 cultural and religious organizations Skills and Interests Languages: French (intermediate), Urdu (beginner) Skills: Java, Javascript, C++, Python | Adobe Photoshop, Alma, LaTeX, Maple Interests: horror movies, Russian film, reading, playing and making video games, piano, cooking
Elias_Lawler_Resume_2024_det.docx-
1.pdf
Elias Lawler
Please click the acknowledgement below.
Service on City of Oakland boards, commissions, and committees may require filings of the FPPC's Statements of Economic Interest (Form 700). Upon appointment and determination of filing status, I will comply with all filing obligations.
I Agree
*
Elias Lawler
Elias Lawler
Education
BA in Mathematics and Philosophy, Grinnell College May 2023 Phi Beta Kappa (Junior Induction), Dean’s List all semesters, Hill Award Winner for Piano 2021, PBK Sophomore Book Award 2021, Pioneer Weekend Award 2022 (2-credit educational partnership program with the local highschool), HackGC Award 2022 (mobile app that reduces food waste from the dining hall), 66th percentile Putnam Mathematics Competition 2021
Research Experience
Philosophical Research Fellow July—December 2022
Department of Philosophy, Grinnell College
❖ Awarded $4500 for a research fellowship to study the philosophy of aesthetics in Florence, Italy with philosophy professor (July - August 2022)
❖ Authored senior thesis, “Italian Cinema and the Ontology of Film” (September 2022 - December 2022) Philosophy Student Researcher August 2021—December 2021 Department of Philosophy, Grinnell College
❖ Conducted research by invitation from philosophy of science professor ❖ Authored a paper consolidating foundational lexicon within the philosophy of science Work Experience
5th Grade Teacher September 2023—Current
Oakland Unified School District
❖ Plan lessons in line with district standards for all 5th grade subjects ❖ Adapt instruction to individualized needs of different students ❖ Conduct daily SIPPS lessons: state required lessons to teach fundamentals of English ❖ UED tutoring to help students reclassify from being English Language Learner to Fluent English Speaker Library Technical Assistant August 2021—May 2023
Grinnell College
❖ Curated film display for the library
❖ Ensured that the library acquired notable films such as those that won film awards and nominations around the world or were culturally significant
❖ Processed and cataloged 200+ new media items for easy access ❖ Promoted to Library Technical Assistant II in August 2022 Virtual Reality Game Developer June 2022—October 2022
Hanger VR
❖ Planned and designed levels for a game in Unity that challenges users to move through obstacles by grappling onto floating objects
❖ Ensured that the physics of the game were fine-tuned to be dynamic and realistic for users by incorporating beta testers’ feedback
❖ Wrote C# code to support the PC version of the game
HouseCoordinator August 2021—May2022Grinnell CollegePopcornHouse❖ Appliedfor andwona‘project’ housespot oncampustoestablishaspacefor filmfansandnamedit ‘PopcornHouse’❖ Responsiblefor allocating$3800housebudget❖ Mediatedconflictsbetweenhousemembers, promotingaharmoniousresidential community❖ Respondedtoemergencysituationsoncampusasanon-call student leader❖ Coordinatedcampuseventsfor 400+studentse.g. Valentine’sDayevent❖ Conductedcampus-widemovieinterest surveysbeforepurchasingmovielicenses❖ Organized2moviescreenings/weekat thecampustheater includingpostering, social mediaposts, campuswideemailsandfoodarrangementsCommunityExperiencePhilosophySEPCTreasurer August 2022—May2023Department of Philosophy, Grinnell College❖ Ledinterviewswithstudentsandauthoredin-depthevaluationstoinformcritical facultypromotiondecisions❖ Interviewedprospectivefaculty, providinginsightful assessmentstosupport thefacultyhiringcommittee❖ Oversawandallocatedthedepartment'sfinancial resourcesfor variousacademiceventsInternational CultureandCuisineOrganizationCabinet Member August 2022—May2023Grinnell College❖ PlannedandhostedweeklydinnersincludingJapaneseDinner, KoreanDinner, IndianStreet FoodNight, etc.❖ Hosted400+studentsat theAnnual International Dinner incollaborationwith10cultural andreligiousorganizationsSkillsandInterests❖ Languages: French(intermediate), Urdu(beginner)❖ Skills: Java, Javascript, C++, Python| AdobePhotoshop, Alma, LaTeX, Maple❖ Interests: horror movies, Russianfilm, reading, playingandmakingvideogames, piano, cooking Submit Date: Jan 17, 2024
First Name Middle
Initial
Last Name
Email Address
Street Address Suite or Apt
City State Postal Code
Primary Phone Alternate Phone
Employer Job Title
City of Oakland Boards & Commissions
Profile
What City Council district do you live in?
District 6
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
Library Commission: Submitted
Interests & Experiences
Please tell us how your qualifications and participation will relate to the requested board and/or commission's mission.
I am writing to express my interest in serving on the Library Commission, and I believe my experience and commitment make me well-suited for this role. Over the past six years, I have dedicated my time and efforts to the Visit Oakland Board of Directors, where I played a crucial role in overseeing the CEO and staff. This involved providing strategic input on the allocation of TBID funds ($1.50 per hotel room night sold) and Measure C funds (1.5% of the 14% hotel tax collected). My focus has always been on responsible resource utilization to foster the growth of Visit Oakland as a prominent brand for marketing the city as a desirable destination. My motivation to join the Library Commission is deeply rooted in my role as a parent. With two children aged 7 and 5, our regular visits to the Montclair Branch have illuminated the invaluable role libraries play in our community. The Montclair library has not only become a cherished space for exploration and bonding within our family but has also allowed us to encourage other families to explore their local branches. Our efforts have resulted in successfully enrolling our children's friends for library cards. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of contributing to the Library Commission and would welcome the opportunity to discuss my candidacy further. Thank you for considering my application.
Please submit your resume or curriculum vitae. You may upload a document. (A Word format is preferred.) Alternatively, you may paste the text of your resume in the field provided below.
Anand B Patel
OAKLAND CA 94619
Bespoke Group Hospitality Consultant
Anand B Patel
Upload a Resume
Please paste the text of your resume or curriculum vitae below.
ANAND B. PATEL OAKLAND, CA Education: University of
Central Florida - Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Orlando, FL Masters of Science, Hospitality and Tourism Management, August 2007 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ Bachelor of Science, Business Economics, May 2005 Experience:
Independent Hospitality Consultant January 2008 - Present • Perform consulting services for hotel owners in various markets nationwide • Strategically assess hotels for the purpose of acquiring and selling hotel based real estate • Analyze company financial statements involving profit/loss, revenue, and expenses in detail • Manage room rate and room inventory in order to maximize Rev Par • Develop and maintain internet marketing strategies including SEO and pay per click • Oversee rate and inventory management for third party online travel agents • Conduct data analysis and apply results toward current and future real estate planning • Execute franchise and lease contract terms most beneficial to long-term success • Forecast monthly room revenues based off of historical and environmental factors • Implement strategies for full renovation and restoration in order to complete franchise conversion Hedge Fund Valuation Specialist November 2007 – April 2013 Caledonian Global Fund Services Limited, Orlando, FL • Build and maintain asset valuation models for a variety of onshore and offshore hedge fund partnerships with $15 billion in assets under administration • Ability to value and service all types of investment products including derivatives, swaps, options, futures, and forwards • Coordinate and interact with hedge fund managers, prime brokers, custodians, and investors • Experience with master- feeder, multi-manager and offshore fund structures • Efficiently coordinate procedures with accounting, IT, and market data departments to improve daily operations and meet critical deadlines in a demanding industry Managing Director: June 2005 – November 2007 Major Universal Lodging, LLC, Orlando, FL • Developed and managed several franchised hotels in Central Florida • Generated e-commerce strategies, promotions, and inventory control on third party sites • Controlled rate and room inventory in order to ensure projected revenue forecasts were met • Audited daily cash flow and prepare monthly reports based on revenue and expense • Consulted clients and vendors in order to reach sales and purchase agreements • Advised general managers on day to day hotel operations to increase productivity Business Development Coordinator: June 2003 – August 2005 Wellesley Inn Lake Cecile, Kissimmee, FL • Renovated, and re-launched bank owned property • Annual room revenue increased from $0 to over $1.6 million in two year span • Developed strategies to promote sales in order to achieve 100% sales growth • Assisted sales department to market to existing and potential clients • Assisted considerably in purchasing assets for hotel’s re-opening • Completed all accounts payable and receivable procedures Affiliations: AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Owners Association) Member since 2004 Please click the acknowledgement below.
Service on City of Oakland boards, commissions, and committees may require filings of the FPPC's Statements of Economic Interest (Form 700). Upon appointment and determination of filing status, I will comply with all filing obligations.
I Agree *
Anand_B._Patel_Resume_Master.doc
Anand B Patel
ANAND B. PATEL
OAKLAND, CA
Education: University of Central Florida - Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Orlando, FL Masters of Science, Hospitality and Tourism Management, August 2007 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ Bachelor of Science, Business Economics, May 2005
Experience: Independent Hospitality Consultant January 2008 - Present Perform consulting services for hotel owners in various markets nationwide Strategically assess hotels for the purpose of acquiring and selling hotel based real estate Analyze company financial statements involving profit/loss, revenue, and expenses in detail Manage room rate and room inventory in order to maximize Rev Par Develop and maintain internet marketing strategies including SEO and pay per click Oversee rate and inventory management for third party online travel agents Conduct data analysis and apply results toward current and future real estate planning Execute franchise and lease contract terms most beneficial to long-term success Forecast monthly room revenues based off of historical and environmental factors Implement strategies for full renovation and restoration in order to complete franchise conversion
Hedge Fund Valuation Specialist November 2007 – April 2013 Caledonian Global Fund Services Limited, Orlando, FL
Build and maintain asset valuation models for a variety of onshore and offshore hedge fund partnerships with $15 billion in assets under administration Ability to value and service all types of investment products including derivatives, swaps, options, futures, and forwards
Coordinate and interact with hedge fund managers, prime brokers, custodians, and investors Experience with master-feeder, multi-manager and offshore fund structures Efficiently coordinate procedures with accounting, IT, and market data departments to improve daily operations and meet critical deadlines in a demanding industry Managing Director: June 2005 – November 2007
Major Universal Lodging, LLC, Orlando, FL
Developed and managed several franchised hotels in Central Florida Generated e-commerce strategies, promotions, and inventory control on third party sites Controlled rate and room inventory in order to ensure projected revenue forecasts were met Audited daily cash flow and prepare monthly reports based on revenue and expense Consulted clients and vendors in order to reach sales and purchase agreements Advised general managers on day to day hotel operations to increase productivity Business Development Coordinator: June 2003 – August 2005 Wellesley Inn Lake Cecile, Kissimmee, FL
Renovated, and re-launched bank owned property
Annual room revenue increased from $0 to over $1.6 million in two year span Developed strategies to promote sales in order to achieve 100% sales growth Assisted sales department to market to existing and potential clients Assisted considerably in purchasing assets for hotel’s re-opening Completed all accounts payable and receivable procedures Affiliations: AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Owners Association) Member since 2004
Submit Date: Nov 27, 2023
First Name Middle
Initial
Last Name
Email Address
Street Address Suite or Apt
City State Postal Code
Primary Phone Alternate Phone
Employer Job Title
Upload a Resume
City of Oakland Boards & Commissions
Profile
What City Council district do you live in?
District 6
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
Library Commission: Submitted
Interests & Experiences
Please tell us how your qualifications and participation will relate to the requested board and/or commission's mission.
I'm a lifelong library patron (the past 30-plus with the Oakland Public Library), obsessive reader and strong believer in literacy efforts. I regularly tutor elementary students in Oakland Unified in reading, volunteer at Oakland Tech as a college essay mentor and participate in other community projects such as litter pick-up on MacArthur Blvd. I'm also block co-captain on our block in Maxwell Park. Earlier this year, I served as a Fulbright Specialist in Albania teaching media literacy. I'm totally committed to improving Oakland and promoting, protecting and bolstering the Oakland Public Library, which is one of the best assets in our community.
Please submit your resume or curriculum vitae. You may upload a document. (A Word format is preferred.) Alternatively, you may paste the text of your resume in the field provided below.
Carolyn Jones
Oakland CA 94619
CalMatters Education reporter
Carolyn Jones
Please paste the text of your resume or curriculum vitae below.
C
Award-winning reporter with 25 years’
e d education, government, politics,
environment, human interest features, breaking news and other topics for a broad and diverse audience. * Collaborated closely with editors, photographers, graphic artists and other reporters to create comprehensive, accurate and lively stories on daily deadlines. * Translated complex and nuanced information into accessible, engaging stories for a general audience. * Created long-term coverage plans for complicated and rapidly shifting stories. * Solid knowledge of AP Style, social media, radio, television and digital media. CalMatters, 1017 L Street #261, Sacramento CA 95814 K-12 education reporter, July 2023 - present Covered policy and trends related to California's 1,000 school districts and 6 million students. EdSource, 436 14th St., Oakland CA 94612 Senior Reporter, Oct. 2019 – present.
Reporter, Jan. 2017 – July 2018. Covered special education, student wellness, homeless youth, math, science, environmental and computer education, and general education stories. XQ Institute (a division of the Emerson Collective), 8th and Broadway, Oakland CA Senior Writer, July 2018 – Oct. 2019 Wrote and edited stories, web content and other materials focusing on high school education reform in the U.S. Oakland Magazine, 1305 Franklin St., Oakland CA Columnist, contributing writer, 2015 – 2020 East Bay Regional Park District, 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland CA Public information supervisor, 2015 – 2017 Created media plans, wrote press releases, responded to media requests. San Francisco Chronicle, 901 Mission St., San Francisco CA Staff Writer, 1998 – 2015 Covered regional and local news for Northern California’s largest newspaper. Collaborated with photographers, designers, editors and colleagues on a wide range of deadline stories. Awards Fulbright Specialist in Albania, 2023 Education Writers Association, beat reporter of the year finalist (small newsroom), 2021 California Newspaper Publishers Association, numerous awards for writing and reporting, 2005 - present Harold Gilliam Award for Excellence in Environmental Reporting, 2011 East Bay Press Club, numerous awards for features and news reporting, 2005 – 20011 Education University of California, Berkeley, bachelor’s degree in English Volunteer service Mentor and tutor for students in Oakland Unified College essay coach at Oakland Technical High School Block captain
Please click the acknowledgement below.
Service on City of Oakland boards, commissions, and committees may require filings of the FPPC's Statements of Economic Interest (Form 700). Upon appointment and determination of filing status, I will comply with all filing obligations.
I Agree *
Carolyn Jones
1 APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
________________________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. ______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY
MAYOR SHENG THAO
A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS OF
ELIAS LAWLER, ANAND PATEL, AND CAROLYN JONES TO THE
LIBRARY COMMISSION
WHEREAS, Section 601 of the City Charter provides that members of City boards and commissions shall be appointed by the Mayor subject to confirmation by the affirmative vote of five members of the City Council; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 8064 C.M.S, adopted Nove mber 13, 1969 and amended by Ordinance Nos. 11730 C.M.S., 12879 C.M.S, 13174 C.M.S., 13560, and 13757 C.M.S., establishes the Library Commission, as recently renamed from the Library Advisory Commission, to advise and make recommendations on the operation and future development of the library system and to act a s a liaison between the Library Department and the Mayor and City Council; and
WHEREAS, the Library Commission consists of fifteen (15) members serving not more than two consecutive three-year terms; and
WHEREAS, the Honorable Mayor Sheng Thao has appointed Elias Lawler, Anand Patel, and Carolyn Jones to serve three -year terms subj ect to confirmation by the City Council; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That pursuant to City Charter Section 601, the City Council hereby confirms the Mayor’s appointments to the Library Commission of:
Elias Lawler, to serve a three-year term beginning October 16, 2023 and ending October 15, 2026, filling a seat previously held by Angelica Valentine.
Anand Patel, to serve a three-year term beginning November 14, 2023 and ending November 13, 2026, filling a seat previously held by Caleb Smith.
2 Carolyn Jones, to serve a three-year term beginning June 19, 2024 and ending June 18, 2027, filling a seat previously held by Catherine Smith.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES – FIFE, GALLO, JENKINS, KALB, KAPLAN, RAMACHANDRAN, REID, AND
PRESIDENT FORTUNATO BAS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
3349750v2/MJM
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California