16 Resign From RLA Board

In the first major exodus of RLA board members, 16 community leaders--including Police Chief Willie L. Williams, City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas and Southern California Edison Chairman John Bryson--have resigned from the nonprofit rebuilding agency formed after the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

At the same time, RLA, initially known as Rebuild L.A., has added 10 new board members, bringing the membership of the already massive board of directors to 87.

The new members are Japanese Business Assn. President Kazunori Amano, Deputy Los Angeles Police Chief Ronald C. Banks, Food 4 Less Chairman Ronald Burkle, contractor David Honda, Southern California Edison Vice President Mike Mendez, Black Business Assn. Chairwoman Mary Ann Mitchell, Walt Disney consumer products senior Vice President Nancy Rahnasto, pastor and religious broadcaster Gene Scott, Los Angeles Business Journal associate publisher Matt Toledo and city Councilwoman Rita Walters.

Sveral of those who have decided to leave the agency, including Ridley-Thomas and Warner Bros. senior Vice President Daniel P. Garcia, have long voiced dissatisfaction with the lack of progress by RLA.

Ridley-Thomas said Thursday that he decided to resign even though he supports RLA President Linda Griego, who took over leadership of the organization this year.

“They never wanted a preponderance of elected officials on the board and Mrs. Walters represents the South Los Angeles community as well,” Ridley-Thomas said.

Griego said the new members are “sure to strengthen the economic development efforts of RLA” and that most departing members are being replaced by people doing similar work.

Those leaving the board include American Savings Bank Chairman Mario Antoci, Hughes Aircraft Co. Chairman C. Michael Armstrong, attorney T.S. Chung (who has moved to Washington to work for the Clinton Administration), Metropolitan Theaters Corp. President Bruce Corwin, Pueblo del Rio Housing resident site coordinator Annie Mae Curry, boxer Oscar De La Hoya, pastor William Epps, city librarian Elizabeth Martinez, Southern California Gas Co. President Warren I. Mitchell, actor Edward James Olmos, Union Bank President Tamotsu Yamaguchi and developer Ira Yellin.