People

Spotlight on achievers

M. Neel Buell

Senior citizen activist, Costa Mesa

Each member of Congress selects a delegate for the White House Conference on Aging. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach) chose Buell to represent the 45th Congressional District.

About 200 delegates from 50 states and U.S. territories are expected to attend the conference, scheduled for May 2-5 in Washington. Delegates will make policy recommendations on issues of aging.

Buell is an activist for senior citizens and served as a commissioner on the California Commission on Aging from 1989 to 1993.

The Costa Mesa resident has served as an officer in a number of senior organizations and is a fellow at the UCLA/USC Gerontology Center, Coastline Community College.

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Nivia Roman

Student, Garden Grove

Roman received help toward finishing her Associate of Arts degree at Coastline College from the Soroptimist International of Garden Grove, which awarded her a $750 scholarship.

She came to the United States from Cuba in 1971 and worked as a teacher’s aide in the Garden Grove Unified School District. Roman, a single mother, plans to enroll in a four-year college and work toward a degree in school counseling.

Soroptimist International gives the award to mature women who want to go back to school, return to the work force or improve their skills with additional training.

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The Rev. Colin Henderson

Shelter director, Laguna Beach

Henderson, executive director of Laguna Beach Friendship Shelter, received the Rainbow of Hope award from HomeAid Orange County, a nonprofit group that builds and renovates shelters for homeless people in Orange County.

HomeAid honored him for “exceptional leadership and effectiveness in meeting the needs of Orange County’s homeless,” according to a statement released by the group.

Friendship Shelter, which offers temporary housing and other services for homeless adults, has helped about 1,900 people since opening in November, 1988.

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Donald F. McIntyre

General manager, Orange County Sanitation Districts

McIntyre, 64, has been appointed general manager for the districts from a field of more than 50 applicants.

McIntyre worked for 30 years in city management and administration, including 17 years as the city manager of Pasadena.

He is the president and chief executive officer of the Central City Assn. of Los Angeles, a membership group of business leaders and professionals.

--COMPILED BY LESLEY WRIGHT, WITH DEBRA CANO, LESLIE EARNEST, BERT ELJERA AND RUSS LOAR