Top 103 most influential people in Glendale and the foothills
1. LINDA MAXWELL AND JOSE QUINTANAR
Co-founders and executive directors of We Care For Youth, a local
nonprofit group that seeks to end youth violence through activities such
as job training ... both helped comfort students and relatives following
the slaying of Hoover High School student Raul Aguirre in May ...
assisted a group of young people that organized a peace walk in June ...
Both were awarded the Burtis E. Taylor Community Education Award by the
Glendale Board of Education in June ... opened Bliss Unlimited, a retail
store at the Glendale Galleria that provides job training for local teens
... Maxwell has helped set up job-training programs for young people
throughout the U.S. ... while members of the Glendale Hispanic Business
and Professional Assn., the two took part in an organization project in
which they worked with young gang members at a local school ... the
effort led them to start We Care for Youth in 1991 ... volunteer with
other organizations, including Catholic Charities and New Horizons Family
Center.
Not ranked last year.
2. JIM STARBIRD
Took over as Glendale city manager in March 1998, coming from West
Covina ... holds the strong respect of the City Council ... helped city’s
decision to approve bonds for the construction of a new jail and police
administration building ... his service as interim replacement for
Commissioner Carl Raggio on the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport
Authority resulted in a framework agreement between the authority and
Burbank over terminal expansion plans ... his presence is being felt in
Glendale’s budget process in which he is getting the city to take a
longer view over its spending, taking into account how projects such as
the new police building affect future budgets.
Last year’s ranking: 3.
3. JIM BROWN
Glendale Unified School District superintendent ... selected
California Superintendent of the Year for 1999/2000 following nomination
by the school board ... makes running a school district look easy ...
co-chairman for the state high school exit exam panel ... settled
teachers union contract before start of school ... races competitively --
did Catalina Marathon and cycles for fun ...avid reader.
Last year’s ranking: 13.
4. JAMES ROGAN
Republican congressman represents Glendale, Burbank and the foothills
in the 27th District ... His fight to keep his seat from state Sen. Adam
Schiff has become one of the most closely followed and expensive
congressional races in the nation ... the Republican Party is counting on
him to help maintain its majority in Congress ... still remembered for
his role as a House manager in the 1999 impeachment trial of President
Clinton ... member of the Commerce and Judiciary committees.
Last year’s ranking: 2.
5. ADAM SCHIFF
Democratic state senator for the 21st District, which includes
Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena and the foothills ... has become a national
figure because of his effort to unseat Congressman James Rogan in the
27th District ... former prosecutor for the U.S. attorney’s office ...
Harvard Law School graduate ... former chairman of the state Senate
Judiciary Committee ... Married to Eve, making him a target for “Adam and
Eve” jokes.
Last year’s ranking: 8
6. RUSSELL SIVERLING
Glendale police chief since 1997 after serving the same position in
Alhambra ... oversees administration for the department, which includes
340 employees and a $30-million budget ... lives in Glendale and is
active in many local and professional organizations.
Last year’s ranking: 17.
7. KEVIN WELSH and PAMELA GOOD
Co-principals at Hoover High School ... Welsh has been with the
district for 29 years and co-principal for three years ... Good has been
both with the district and co-principal for two years ... the two
administrators dealt with the stabbing death of Raul Aguirre with
sensitivity and introduced several healing measures for the student body
... Welsh created the Spirit Council to address racial and ethnic issues
on campus in 1997 and the program will expand this year due to a grant
from the Anti-Defamation League ... this year’s goal: instruction,
literacy and student connectedness.
Not ranked last year.
8. MARK GERAGOS
Seemingly unbeatable Los Angeles attorney defending Karen Terteryan,
one of the boys accused of the beating and stabbing death of a Hoover
High School student in May ... has handled several pro bono cases with
ties to the Armenian American community ... has criticized Glendale
Police for its handling of the murders of two boys on a La Crescenta
playground in July ... successfully defended Susan McDougal of Whitewater
fame.
Not ranked last year.
9. DAVE WEAVER
Glendale mayor and councilman elected in 1997 ... retired from the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ... known as a maverick who is not afraid to
take a stand that angers his colleagues or homeowner activists ... not
afraid of suggesting ideas such as bringing cable cars to downtown
Glendale and putting up a Glendale sign in the mountains similar to
Hollywood ... strong advocate for the city to look at other sources of
revenue to provide public services in the future.
Last year’s ranking: 9.
10. JACK SCOTT
Democratic state Assemblyman for the 44th District, which includes La
Crescenta, Montrose and La Canada Flintridge ... lead the Assembly
Insurance Committee hearing that helped bring about the resignation of
state Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush earlier this year ... Has
been fighting for tougher gun control measures since he entered the
Assembly in 1996 ... survived a tough primary election in March against
fellow Democratic Assemblyman Scott Wildman ... former president of
Pasadena City College.
Last year’s ranking: 10
11. JERRY FULWOOD
In his second year as city manager of La Canada Flintridge, where he
oversees the daily operations of the city ... is dealing with a number of
challenging issues, including sewers and the Downtown Village Specific
Plan ... a straight shooter and fiscal conservative who wants to make
City Hall more accessible to the public ... still resides in Rancho
Cucamonga, where he was assistant city manager before taking the job in
La Canada Flintridge ... is married with a daughter who just started
kindergarten at Palm Crest Elementary.
Last year’s ranking: 44
12. CAROL LIU
Democratic candidate for the 44th Assembly District, which includes La
Canada Flintridge and La Crescenta ... has served on the La Canada
Flintridge City Council since 1992, including two terms as mayor ... has
worked with several community organizations over the years, including the
La Canada Flintridge Educational Foundation and the La Canada High School
Parent-Teacher-Student Assn. ... member of the board of directors for the
La Canada Kiwanis Club.
Last year’s ranking: 78.
13. SCOTT WILDMAN
Democrat who has represented Glendale in the Assembly since 1996 ...
lost a contentious battle against fellow Democratic Assemblyman Jack
Scott in the March primary, ending his run for the 21st state Senate District seat ... instrumental in the investigation of the Belmont
Learning Complex project in Los Angeles ... plans to run for the L.A.
City Council seat that will be vacated by Jackie Goldberg in 2001 ... was
arrested during a protest organized by striking L.A. County janitors in
April.
Last year’s ranking: 7.
14. RAFI MANOUKIAN
Elected to the Glendale City Council in April 1999 ... strong advocate
for improving bus transportation and adding street lights in southern
Glendale ... helping effort to register thousands of Armenian American
voters in Glendale ... accountant.
Last year’s ranking: 56.
15. GUS GOMEZ
Top vote getter in April 1999 Glendale City Council election ... state
deputy attorney general and Adams Hill resident who has aligned himself
politically with the Glendale Homeowners Coordinating Council and has
espoused antigrowth positions ... Democrat who is seen as a future
candidate for state office.
Last year’s ranking: 26.
16. GINGER BREMBERG
Will finish her fourth and final term on the City Council in April and
plans to go into retirement ... will equal a record of longevity on the
council set by Larry Zarian ... finished her final term as mayor in April
before turning over duties to Dave Weaver ... outspoken Minnesota native
tells it like it is.
Last year’s ranking: 6.
17. SHELDON BAKER
Glendale City Councilman elected in 1993 ... has served one term as
mayor ... said he will not seek a third term when his seat expires in
April ... served four terms on the Glendale Unified school board ...
attorney who has lived in the same northwest Glendale home since 1945 ...
graduate of Rutgers and Stanford.
Last year’s ranking: 19.
18. JOHN HARRIS
L.A. County Fire Department battalion chief and wildfire specialist
who oversees fire stations 19 and 82 in La Canada Flintridge ... received
a Les Tupper Community Service Award for directing the effort to contain
the San Rafael fire in December that charred more than 500 acres in La
Canada Flintridge and Glendale, but claimed no lives or homes.
Last year’s ranking: 28
19. JEANNE ARMSTRONG
Glendale’s director of the Development Services Department, part of
the Glendale Redevelopment Agency ... her department has overseen the
processing of The Walt Disney Co. plans to expand and renovate its
campus.
Last year’s ranking: 11.
20. ANITA SIRAKI
Hoover High runner became an All-American in two sports last year as a
junior ... in cross-country, finished fourth at the Foot Locker National
in 17 minutes 23.99 seconds ... in track, won the Foot Locker National
two-mile final in Raleigh, N.C. in 10:18.03, a personal record ... has a
grade-point average of 4.2 ... considered among the nation’s elite
runners.
Last year’s ranking: 94.
21. JOHN, LEE and BOB GREGG
Owners of Gregg’s Artistic Homes, a company that plans to build a
572-home development on 238 acres in the Verdugo Mountains ... two of
three generations of Greggs who have built homes in Glendale ... Lee
Gregg is an attorney, Bob Gregg is a amateur climatologist who
contributes weather data to the News-Press ... In December, Bob warned of
fire dangers since portions of San Rafael Hill had not burned in three
decades -- two weeks later, a fire charred the San Rafael hillsides.
Last year’s ranking: 20.
22. MARC STIRDIVANT and MAX HOBBS
Stirdivant is president of Volunteers Organized in Conserving the
Environment ... VOICE is trying to preserve the 238-acre Oakmont View V
property as open space ... he is also assistant director of the NBC
television program, “Frasier.” ... Hobbs is vice president of VOICE and
president of the Oakmont Woods Homeowners Assn. ... served as chairman of
the campaign to get Gus Gomez elected to the City Council.
Last year’s ranking: 20 and 43.
23. LORENE GONIA
La Canada Unified School District superintendent turned down a pay
raise last month when she received a two-year contract extension ... has
withstood a flurry of criticism over the district’s initial failure to
secure nearly $7 million from the state for school modernization ... was
hit with several key resignations, and the retooling of the district’s
special education program.
Last year’s ranking: 47
24. PAM ELLIS
Vice president of the Glendale Unified school board ... elected to the
school board in 1995 ... ran unopposed and began a second term in 1999
... served as president in 1997-98 ... children attend Glendale schools:
son Derek is at Hoover and daughter Alexandra is at Toll ... happiest
being involved with youth activities ... treasurer for The Alex Film
Society ... married to Brian.
Last year’s ranking: 84.
25. CHUCK SAMBAR
Elected to Glendale Unified School District school board in 1997 ...
often ignored or passed over by fellow school board members ... outspoken
community activist on school and political issues ... spent 21 years as a
teacher and administrator at Hoover High and 14 years at Crescenta Valley
High before retiring ... president of the Crescenta Valley Chamber of
Commerce ... member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.
Last year’s ranking: 25
26. JEANNE BENTLEY
Glendale Unified school board president for the third time ... serving
a second term on the board ... brings a continuity to the district due to
her 23 years as a teacher and counselor for Glendale Unified ...
reelected delegate for the California School Board Assn ... member and
former chairwoman of the board of directors for the Glendale Youth
Coalition ... has been named by the Character and Ethics Project as
Community Hero, exemplifying courtesy ... member of the Glendale City/
District Safety Committee.
Last year’s ranking: 57.
27. LINA HARPER
Glendale Unified school board member, elected to the school board in
1995 ... ran unopposed and began a second term in 1999 ... her accounting
skills enable her to act as a gatekeeper on district financial matters
... president of L.A. County School Trustees Assn. ... treasurer of
Assistance League of Glendale ... put two sons through the Glendale
schools ... former president of PTA Council and longtime parent volunteer
in school and youth organizations. Married to Homer.
Last year’s ranking: 24.
28. SCOTT HOWARD
Glendale city attorney since February 1990 who started with the city
in 1977 ... graduate of USC who finally got revenge a year ago on his
assistant, Ron Braden, a UCLA graduate who had been decorating Howard’s
office with Bruin garb when his team repeatedly won the cross-town
football game.
Last year’s ranking: 27.
29. ALICE PETROSSIAN
Assistant superintendent for Hoover school cluster and elementary
policy ... has served as an English teacher and in multiple
administrative roles in her 23 years with the district ... longtime PTA
parent and advocate ... a compassionate advocate of children’s issues and
committed community volunteer ... great interest in making diverse ethnic
groups in the city a part of the educational process ... a YWCA Legacy
Award recipient.
Last year’s ranking: 14.
30. CARL POVILAITIS, CARL MESECK and GERALD BRIGGS
Povilaitis is one of Glendale’s three members of the
Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority finishing his first term ...
Glendale police officer who is a member of the community policing unit.
... Meseck is president of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport
Authority who is known as conciliatory ... former Glendale mayor and
director of the YMCA for 33 years. ... Briggs is active in Chevy Chase
Homeowners Assn. for years ... member of the Airport Authority and one of
its biggest proponents of airport expansion.
Last year’s ranking: not ranked, 70 and 69.
31. LARRY and RALPH CIMMARUSTI
The brothers who are as well-known in Glendale for their wealth as
their generosity ... both men run Cimms, Inc., which owns 140 Burger King
and 12 Tony Roma’s restaurants ... million-dollar donors in the
Cimmarusti Science Center project at Glendale Community College ...
helped organize this year’s “Life Run,” which benefited the Heart and
Comprehensive Cancer centers at Glendale Memorial Hospital.
Last year’s ranking: 1.
32. IRSHAD UL-HAQUE
President of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce ... owner of three
businesses, including Stor It All, a self-storage warehouse at the
Glendale-Los Feliz border ... the Pakistani native came to the U.S. in
1960 and went from earning $1 an hour working at a toy factory to
becoming one of the most successful business owners in the area ...
active in several community organizations including the Glendale Kiwanis
Club, Glendale Adventist Medical Center Foundation and the Glendale Assn.
for the Retarded ... hopes to increase chamber membership to 2,000.
Not ranked last year.
33. GARY TURNER
Began 16th year as principal of Verdugo Hills High School, which is
undergoing modernization along with dozens of other school in the L.A.
Unified School District ... strong advocate for his school who is
outspoken in fighting against inequities ... loves the 63-year-old
school’s architecture, which will remain intact ... has seen standardized
test scores improve over the past two years along with more participation
in advanced placement courses ... has built a strong faculty ...
published author who writes book reviews and short stories.
Last year’s ranking: 92
34. EDITH FUENTES
Glendale zoning administrator who approved variances for the El Tovar
mansion but rejected one that would have allowed South Brand auto dealers
erect a billboard on the Ventura (134) Freeway ... active member in the
Filipino business group ... governor-elect of Soroptimist International’s
Camino Real Region.
Not ranked last year.
35. BOB YOUSEFIAN
Member of the Board of Zoning Adjustments who has been unsuccessful in
his bid for Glendale City Council ... expected to be a prime contender in
April if he runs ... challenged variance granted to owners of El Tovar
mansion.
Last year’s ranking: 86.
36. RAHIM KARJOO
Owner of the El Tovar mansion with his son, Ramin ... has spent years
trying to get home through city approvals, winning some battles and
losing some others ... suing Glendale to obtain a permit to be able to
occupy the overbuilt home.
Not ranked last year
37. NELLO IACONO
Glendale parks director since 1988 ... his office has pushed for the
creation of more parks in the city ... works with such groups as the
Glendale Rose Float Assn.
Not ranked last year.
38. VACHE MANGASSARIAN
Host and producer of “Armenian National Network” on Charter Cable
Channel 17 ... fought Charter Communications rate hike earlier this year
... plans to run for Glendale City Council in April ... an actor who has
appeared on television shows such as “Murphy Brown” and “Melrose Place”
... worked with a group that in the mid-1990s worked to help artists and
their families in Armenia.
Not ranked last year.
39. LARRY ZARIAN
Former 16-year veteran of the Glendale City Council ... oft-rumored
candidate for state office who always teases but never runs ... former
host of a radio call-in program has turned to cable television, hosting a
Thursday night show on Channel 36 ... will give up show next month to
allow James Rogan and Adam Schiff to debate.
Last year’s ranking: 12.
40. ANTHONY PORTANTINO
La Canada Flintridge City councilman is considered very accessible
.... established open office hours for residents to voice their concerns,
the only council member to do so ... has proposed a series of
neighborhood town hall meetings beginning in November as a way to bring
city government to residents ... has focused on city’s youth by pushing
for new sports fields and a teen center ... a member of the Santa Monica
Mountains Conservancy advisory committee, and the city’s joint-use
committee, which works closely with the La Canada Unified School
District.
Not ranked last year
41. JOHN DAVITT
Superintendent and president of Glendale Community College for 15
years ... under his leadership, campus has expanded to a functional,
modern facility with reputation for academic excellence ... active in the
Glendale Chamber of Commerce, Glendale Partners and the Love Ride
Foundation.
Last year’s ranking: 34.
42. RICK YOUNG
Glendale Police Department sergeant who is the agency’s spokesman,
most notably following the deaths of a Hoover High School student who was
stabbed and beaten to death in May and the beating deaths of two boys on
a La Crescenta playground in July ... has been with the department for 19
years, with assignments ranging from gang investigator to school resource
officer ... sits on the Governor’s Task Force for California Safe
Schools.
Last year’s ranking: 76.
43. RABBI CAROLE MEYERS
Rabbi at Temple Sinai of Glendale ... the temple is the only Jewish
congregation in the Glendale area ... works with Glendale Religious
Leaders Assn.
Not ranked last year.
44. THE REV. VAZKEN ATMAJIAN
Leader of St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church ... has been a part of
the congregation for a year and three months ... came from St. Garaben in
Hollywood where he served since 1993 ... big focus has been on
revitalizing the church’s Sunday school program -- buying new classroom
materials and renovating classrooms to attract more children ... recently
started a Bible study program geared toward those between the ages of 18
and 30.
Not ranked last year
45. FATHER JOE SHEA
Pastor at Holy Family Catholic Church ... known for throwing the
popular fund-raiser “A Midsummer Night’s Cuisine” ... this year’s event
attracted about 1,300 people.
Not ranked last year.
46. THE REV. JOHN DAY
Serving his sixth year as rector of St. George’s Episcopal Church in
La Canada Flintridge ... the former vice president of First Interstate
Bank finally realized his calling and became a priest in 1991 ... he is a member of the La Canada Ministerial Assn. and is chairman of the
Episcopal Community Federal Credit Union, which aids in community
redevelopment.
Not ranked last year.
47. FATHER GLENN SEQUEIRA
Pastor at Holy Family Catholic Church ... held prayer/healing service
for Hoover High students after student Raul Aguirre’s death ... known for
playing Jesus during the stations of the cross, a reenactment of Christ’s
final days from condemnation to death ... annually puts his long hair up
for auction.
Not ranked last year.
48. MIKE ANTONOVICH
Glendale resident and Los Angeles County 5th District supervisor ...
former Republican state assemblyman ... recently called for immediate
testing for cancer causing chemical Chromium 6 in area’s drinking water.
Last year’s Ranking: 41.
49. JIM WOODY
Glendale Police sergeant who heads the Glendale Police Officers Assn.
... has worked for the department for 22 years, five of which spent as
the association’s president ... longtime Glendale resident.
Not ranked last year.
50. DAVE SPENCE
Succeeded Carol Liu this year as mayor of La Canada Flintridge ...
serving second term as mayor ... elected to the City Council in 1992 ...
played a major role in the development of the city’s Downtown Village
Specific Plan ... had a hand in balancing the budget and providing city
employees with a new contract ... travels throughout the region looking
for ways to operate the city more efficiently ... active in Contract
Cities Assn., the League of California Cities, and the Joint Powers
Insurance Authority ... has lived in La Canada Flintridge since 1969 ...
married with two sons.
Not ranked last year
51. PETE LOPORCHIO
Former coach of the Crescenta Valley High aquatics program ... last
year, led boys’ water polo team to CIF Southern Section Division III
title game and the boys’ swimming team to its third consecutive Division
II championship ... retired after eight years of coaching the Falcons ...
won four boys’ swimming titles during that run.
Not ranked last year.
52. LARRY NAEVE
Coach of the La Canada High boys’ water polo team ... led squad to its
second CIF Southern Section Division III title in the past three years
and third in school history, joining championship in 1979 ... also
coaches boys’ swimming team ... has arguably one of the best boys’ water
polo programs in Southern California ... also teaches special education
at La Canada High.
Not ranked last year.
53. ANDREW MESSER
Boy Scout executive/chief executive officer of the Verdugo Hills
Council of the Boy Scouts of America ... has worked for the Scouts for 16
years, and locally since December ... Eagle Scout ... oversees 229 troops
with 4,696 participating in the Learning for Life program in schools and
5,338 uniformed traditional scouts ... big focus has been on developing
and updating Camp Verdugo Oaks near Castaic that is used by the Scouts
and the community.
Not ranked last year.
54. NORBERT OLBERZ
Owner of Sport Chalet sporting goods store chain started in La Canada
Flintridge ... bought store about 40 years ago with $4,000 ... now has 22
stores throughout Southern California ... pushed for building a new
shopping complex on Foothill Boulevard, but project was shot down in
1999.
Last year’s ranking: 4.
55. PHYLLIS KENNEY
The Glendale News-Press’ 1999 Woman of Achievement is the only woman
to serve two terms as president of the 75-year-old Breakfast Club, which
lends financial support to nearly two dozen charitable organizations ...
a longtime member and former president of Verdugo Hills Business and
Professional Women ... member of The Alex Theatre Associates board of
directors ... a former vice president of the Glendale Burbank League of
Women voters.
Not ranked last year
56. JACK KABATECK
The Glendale News-Press’ 1999 Man of Achievement has not missed a
Glendale Rotary club meeting in 12 years ... vice president of the
Glendale Symphony Orchestra Assn. board of directors ... has served for
eight years on the board of the Glendale/Crescenta Valley chapter of the
American Red Cross ... is active with the Verdugo Hills Council of Cub
Scout and Boy Scout troops ... a writer and producer.
Not ranked last year
57. RITCH WELLS
Glendale’s public information officer who puts out news releases for
the city and oversees the operation of city programming on Charter Cable
Channel 6.
Last year’s ranking: 61.
58. ELLEN KETCHUM
Took center stage at The Alex Theatre in June as its executive
director, replacing Martin Kagan ... oversaw the theater’s 75th birthday
street fair celebration this month ... goals include adding more music,
dance and theatrical performances and starting a children’s series ...
was a theater manager at USC and Occidental College before coming to The
Alex.
Not ranked last year.
59. OLIVER SHOKOUH
Founder of the Love Ride, which since 1984 has been a trek of
Harley-Davidson riders that raised $1.3 million last year for the
Muscular Dystrophy Assn. and Los Angeles Times’ Reading by 9 program ...
owner and general manager of a Harley-Davidson dealership in Glendale
that is one of the top dealerships in the nation.
Last year’s ranking: 74.
60. DEBORAH ORLIK
La Canada Flintridge councilwoman is not afraid to speak her mind ...
an attorney who lends her legal perspective to council issues ... gets
things done ... has worked to make City Hall more accessible to the
public, which has added a Web site, and has made the city’s municipal
code available on the Internet ... has played a major role in reducing
speed limits in the city.
Last year’s ranking: 60
61. KERRY MORFORD
Glendale public works director who is a member of the Environmental
and Planning Board ... his department oversaw a study on whether Glenwood
Road should be closed to traffic. Last year’s ranking: 54.
62. JULIA GASKILL
Community activist who moved to La Canada Flintridge in 1985 ... leads
Friends of 91011, a political action group that opposes overdevelopment
... pressured the City Council to reject Sport Chalet’s plan to develop a
Shopping Center along Foothill Boulevard ... sits on the board of the
Roger Barkley Community Center.
Last year’s ranking: 21
63. BOB MCFALL
Glendale assistant city manager who filled the interim role of city
manager before Jim Starbird was named to the position ... served in
current job since 1988 ... parks superintendent from 1977 to 1987 and parks director from 1987 to 1988.
Not ranked last year.
64. JOHN MCKENNA
Glendale planning director who is retiring from the city at the end of
the year after 26 years ... his office processed the Oakmont View V
development ... a member of the Environmental and Planning Board.
Not ranked last year.
65. ARMOND GORGORIAN
Executive director of Glendale “Ararat” Chapter of Homenetmen ... the
group is an international athletic and schooling organization that
received $158,000 from the state recently ... was reappointed to the
Civil Service Commission.
Not ranked last year.
66. JIM SMILEY
Coach of Crescenta Valley High boys’ basketball program ... led team
to third round of CIF Southern Section Division IAA ... is just the third
coach in rich CV basketball history ... team is heavily involved in
community, with each player volunteering countless hours to charity.
Not ranked last year.
67. ROBIN TOMA
Glendale resident and acting executive director of the L.A. County
Human Relations Commission ... his office has assisted the community to
deal with interracial tensions following the beating and stabbing death
of Hoover High School student Raul Aguirre ... fellow of the Kellog
National Fellowship Program ... recognized by U.S. Justice Department as
national leader in fight against hate crimes.
Not ranked last year.
68. MADALYN BLAKE
Director of Community Development and Housing Department for Glendale
... her department has been active in finding ways to increase home
ownership in Glendale, opening applications for Section 8 housing and
providing winter shelter for the homeless.
Last year’s ranking: 46.
69. RICHARD RAMIREZ
President of the Glendale Homeowners Coordinating Council ... headed
the Rossmoyne/Mountain Homeowners Assn. ... professional geologist.
Not ranked last year.
70. INGRID HERSKIND
Flintridge Prep boys’ cross-country coach ... her team won CIF
Southern Section Division V title last year and state titles each of the
past two years ... has established herself as one of the premier female
coaches of a boys’ program in Southern California.
Not ranked last year.
71. JAMES JENKINS
Senior swimmer and basketball player at CV ... a double winner in CIF
Division II swimming finals, winning the 50- and 100-meter freestyles ...
in basketball, his 18.5 point-per-game average and 12.3 rebounds a
contest landed him a spot on the first team of Division IAA ... named
most valuable player in Pacific League in basketball last year.
Not ranked last year.
72. MIKE POST
Glendale Police captain who heads up all criminal investigations ...
serves as historian for the department and author of a pictorial history
book about Glendale Police ... has spent 28 years with the department ...
developed and manages the city’s coyote management program.
Not ranked last year.
73. PATRICIA and CARVEL GAY
Volunteers for variety of organizations, including American Red Cross,
Jaycees and Chamber of Commerce ... own and operate Gay’s Automotive and
Towing Service ... he is involved with the Glendale National Guard unit
... she was the Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year in 1998.
Last year’s ranking: 31.
74. ARA KHACHATOURIAN
Editor of the English-language section of Asbarez, a daily Armenian
newspaper published in Glendale ... host of “Community Forum,” an
English-language talk show on Charter Cable Channel 55 that addresses
cultural, political and social issues ... member of the board of
directors of the Armenian National Committee ... ran with the bulls in
Pamplona, Spain in 1998 and was not hurt.
Last year’s ranking: 50.
75. SHARON BEAUCHAMP
Executive vice president of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce ...
former Glendale Board of Education member ... ran against three others
for the Republican nomination in the 21st state Senate District primary
in 1996 and lost.
Last year’s ranking: 55.
76. CHIP STONE
Financial consultant for 20 years and senior vice president for
Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. ... member of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce
... belong to several chamber committees -- founder of the Education
Committee and is co-chair of the Character & Ethics Project ... active
member of the Advisory Bond Committee -- coordinates spending of Measure
K school bonds ... member of the School-to-Career Coalition ... voted
Glendale Man of the Year in 1999 ... member of the Glendale Kiwanis Club
... enjoys backpacking and coaching youth sports ... married to Nancy ...
has daughter Sarah, 14, and son, Rob, 13.
Not ranked last year.
77. JARRETT ANDERSON
Glendale resident and attorney who is executive director of the
Glendale Motorcar Dealers Assn., a trade organization of car dealers
along South Brand Boulevard.
Last year’s ranking: 49.
78. STEVE BUSSJAEGER
President of Star Auto Group in Glendale and advocate for South Brand
auto dealers ... appears extensively in television commercials promoting
the dealerships.
Not ranked last year.
79. FRANK ROBERTS
Affectionately known as “Mr. Montrose” for his civic contributions, he
is a past president of the Montrose Shopping Park Assn. ... has left his
imprint on several community events, including the Montrose Arts & Crafts
Festival and the annual Christmas parade, which he founded 24 years ago
... he and wife Elinor sold their Candle Tree gift store this summer
after 25 years on Honolulu Avenue ... Elinor died less than a month after
the shopping park association threw a retirement party for the couple.
Not ranked last year.
80. YASMIN KAMRIA
Deputy city manager in Glendale and former president of the
Soroptimist International of Glendale ... working on the city’s budget,
long-range financial plan and capital improvement program.
Not ranked last year.
81. MIKE LEUM
La Crescenta resident ... always on call to rescue stranded and lost
hikers from the Angeles National Forest ... captain of Montrose Search
and Rescue Team, which has been in existence for about 53 years ... the
team covers 500 square miles from Altadena to Interstate 5.
Not ranked last year.
82. CHAHE KEUROGHELIAN
Operates an Armenian-American television call-in show ... was Glendale
Police Department’s primary spokesman for the week following the
discovery of the bodies of two boys who were beaten to death on a La
Crescent playground ... has worked for department for 10 years ... has been fighting personal legal battles for more than a year.
Not ranked last year.
83. CRAIG KUPKA
Musical director at Hoover High ... has been a music teacher at Hoover
for seven years ... keeps a rigorous concert and competition schedule
during the school year that involves the Hoover Jazz Ensemble, Jazz
Combo, chamber and orchestra groups ... the Jazz Ensemble won first place
in the DownBeat Magazine competition ... musical program has generated 13
DownBeat awards in the last four years -- the most of any high school in
the nation ... for the first time took a group of students to The North
Sea Jazz Festival and Montreaux Festival in Europe.
Not ranked last year.
84. BOB DAVIDSON
Co-athletic director and boys’ and girls’ tennis coach at Glendale
High ... led Nitro boys’ tennis squad to Pacific League crown in 1998 ...
very involved in community ... has been a big part in bringing the Nitro
athletic programs back to prominence, along with co-athletic director Tim
Butler.
Not ranked last year.
85. GARRY ACKERMAN
Head of Glendale Rose Float Assn. who was former president of the
Adams Hill Homeowners Assn. ... member of Glendale Youth Alliance, “Days
of Verdugo,” Glendale Human Relations Coalition and National Night Out
committees.
Not ranked last year.
86. MARY LEE TIERNAN
Co-president of the Sunland Tujunga Merchants Assn. ... keeps
community up to date on events and club meetings through the Community
Calendar, which she publishes through her company, Snoops Desktop
Publishing ... has also published a number of books in past two years on
the history of Sunland and Tujunga.
Not ranked last year.
87. MEREDITH CERVENKA
Senior softball pitcher at CV ... earned national recognition last
year for setting a state record, at 292, for most consecutive innings
pitched without allowing an earned run, breaking former La Canada
standout Lindsay Parker’s mark of 268 ... led Falcon softball team CIF
Division II semifinals last year, posting an earned-run average of 0.03
... won third consecutive Pacific League most valuable player honor and
was named first team All-CIF for the third time as well.
Not ranked last year.
88. SHARON BENOIT
La Crescenta resident and founder of RV club Love Those Wheels! ...
broke a 1991 county ordinance prohibiting parking of recreational
vehicles in front or side yards ... started Wheels as a support base for
changing the ordinance ... the group is made up of several hundred RV
owners throughout the county.
Last year’s ranking: 42.
89. GREG SWITZER
Hoover High cross-country and track coach ... guided his boys’
cross-country team to its sixth Pacific League title in a row and 11th in
14 years ... has coached four All-Americans in his tenure, including
current Hoover runner Anita Siraki.
Last year’s ranking: 85.
90. JERRY MARTIN
Second year La Canada Flintridge councilman does his homework and is
always prepared ... analyzes issues on their merit and not their
political consequences ... opposes plan to pay for Sewer District 2 final
design before public votes on assessment district ... opposes the city’s
tendency toward mansionization ... retired from IBM, where he spent 37
years in marketing ... has lived in La Canada Flintridge for 35 years ...
married with three sons.
Not ranked last year.
91. JANE CLARK
Real estate agent and community activist ... active in getting
Neighborhood Advisory Council, which has now become the Sunland-Tujunga
Neighborhood Council, established in community ... currently serving as
its chair ... newlywed recently changed name from Fangianello.
Not ranked last year.
92. CHARLES UNGER
Glendale attorney who also holds a doctorate in psychology ... regular
News-Press columnist ... drew national attention with a case involving a
Jehovah’s Witness woman who was hit by a drunken driver and died after
refusing a blood transfusion ... Unger’s client was found not guilty of
murder.
Last year’s raking: 80.
93. STEVE GILMER
Glendale Fire Department captain who received the agency’s
Distinguished Service Award for his three years of work in researching
and designing an aerial ladder truck that is now being used by a company
that manufactures the trucks ... joined the department in 1970 as a
firefighter, was promoted to engineer five years later and became a
captain in 1978 ... married with three grown children.
Not ranked last year.
94. SHANE HACKETT
Former Verdugo Hills High pole vaulter ... won state title in boys’
pole vault last year with a leap of 16 feet 4 inches ... a three-time
City Section winner in the pole vault ... now attends UCLA.
Not ranked last year.
95. PAUL ZEE
Republican challenger to state Assemblyman Jack Scott in the 21st
state Senate District race ... Has served on the South Pasadena City
Council since 1991, including two terms as mayor ... born in China ...
came to the U.S. in 1977 and started a small business that has grown into
a large safety supply company.
Not ranked last year.
96. SUSAN CARPENTER MCMILLAN
Republican seeking to fill the 44th Assembly District seat that
Democrat Jack Scott will vacate this year ... a well-known victims’
advocate who gained national notoriety as a spokeswoman for Paula Jones,
who sued President Clinton for alleged sexual harassment ... an activist
who has fought to toughen penalties for rapists and child molesters.
Not ranked last year.
97. JANO BAGHDANIAN
Traffic and transportation administrator for Glendale ... handles
reports on possible closure of Glenwood Road and dealing with traffic
calming projects in city neighborhoods ... oversees Beeline bus service.
Last year’s ranking: 88.
98. WES SEASTROM
La Canada Flintridge Realtor was named La Canadan of the Year for 1999
by the Kiwanis Club of La Canada for his long-standing commitment to the
volunteering in the community ... is president of the Spartan Boosters
Club, which received a Les Tupper Community Service Award for raising
more than $120,000 this year for La Canada High athletic, academic and
extracurricular programs ... 1972 LCHS graduate ... married with two
sons.
Not ranked last year
99. LOUISE FOOTE
Glendale Unified school board member, elected in 1997 to first term
... representative to the Advisory Bond Committee ... member of board of
directors for L.A. County School Trustees Assn... has served as clerk for
1999-2000 and 2000-01 ... has lived in Glendale for more than 35
years...put four children through the Glendale school system ... PTA
member...teaches fifth grade at Riverside Drive Elementary School in
Sherman Oaks.
Last year’s ranking: 95.
100. JIM SWINFORD
Glendale Police captain who is coordinating the building of the new
police building, under construction across Isabel Street from the current
station ... has worked for the department for 29 years and heads its
Administrative Services Division.
Not ranked last year.
101. CRAIG MISSAKIAN
Republican candidate in the 43rd Assembly District race ... member of
the board of directors for the Glendale Youth Alliance ... sits on the
advisory board for New Horizons Family Center ... took a lot of heat in
the primary election from fellow Republican contender Liz Michael for his
support of Proposition 22 ... former L.A. County district attorney ...
Ran for the Assembly in 1996 and lost.
Not ranked last year.
102. DARIO FROMMER
Democrat hoping to win the 43rd Assembly District seat in November ...
former appointment secretary to Gov. Gray Davis ... Hoover High School
alumnus ... UC Davis Law School graduate ... has worked on several
political campaigns, including Davis’ 1998 run for office.
Not ranked last year.
103. KELLY KHOURY
Local business owner who is fighting a Glendale Municipal Code
ordinance that places restrictions on flying the American flag ... his
battle has made him a celebrity locally and beyond and led the Glendale
City Council to request a review of the ordinance that requires
permission to display Old Glory when used for advertising purposes ...
has made a tradition of flying many American flags at his gas station
every summer, from Independence Day to Labor Day, which he says is a sign
of his patriotism ... opened his Pacific Avenue business in 1982 ...
Jordanian native who came to the U.S. in 1975 ... sings in one of the
choirs at St. Anne Melkite Church in North Hollywood ... owns race horses
... is married with four children.
Not ranked last year.