People in the News
Crescenta-Cañada Y to honor volunteer
Brent Wallace will be presented today with the President’s Volunteer Service Award from the Crescenta-Cañada YMCA, it was announced last week. Wallace has been a volunteer at local Y since May 2006 and has given approximately 142 hours of service there.
Wallace, a resident of Glendale, started volunteering at the Y while in high school. It began as a means to gain some job experience and “because my mom encouraged me to do some sort of volunteering,” he said. He added he has made many friends and enjoys working directly with members at the Welcome Center.
Henry Lee, supervising manager on duty, says: “Brent Wallace has been a valuable volunteer. He is a very responsible and likable young man. Brent works hard at what he does, he learns quickly and is always quick to respond with a smile. Brent has been a pleasure to work with and I thank him for his service to the CCYMCA.” Since his time at the Y has become an integral part of his life, Wallace has continued to volunteer at the La Cañada facility, in spite of the fact he is now attending Glendale Community College, considering a possible career in journalism.
When not at the Y or involved with his college classes, Brent enjoys playing video games and staying in touch with friends. He resides with his family in Glendale.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award, conceived in 2003, was created by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their commitment and example, inspire others to engage in service to their communities. The award is given at varying levels, dependent on the number of hours given by an individual volunteer or group of volunteers.
Glendale man joins local hospital board
Steve Wilder, a 14-year resident of Glendale, has been named to a two-year term on the Verdugo Hills Hospital board of directors, it was announced earlier this month by the hospital.
“The hospital is a wonderful resource for the community,” Wilder stated. “The quality of medical care is probably second to none. Anything I can do to further that is exciting.”
Wilder is the vice president, risk management for The Walt Disney Company. His department is responsible for directing Disney’s worldwide corporate risk management programs. Previously, he was risk manager for Whittaker Corporation, a diversified manufacturer with operations in health care, chemicals, marine products, and technology. Earlier in his career, Wilder also worked in the insurance brokerage industry.
Len LaBella, the local hospital’s president and chief executive officer, said he believes Wilder will be especially helpful to the hospital in meeting its patient safety and risk management goals.
Conzonire begins as Tournament chief
Ronald “Corky” H. Conzonire, president of Pasadena’s Tournament of Roses Association, announced his first official duty, the leadership for the 2008-’09 Tournament year.
Ira C. Matthiessen, a Tournament volunteer since 1979, was elected to the Executive Committee and will serve as the Tournament’s president in 2016. The officers elected to serve with Matthiessen on the 14-member Executive Committee are Gary J. DiSano, executive vice president; Jeffrey L. Throop, treasurer; and Richard W. Jackson, secretary. CL Keedy III, president of the Association in 2007-2008, is immediate past president.
Re-elected to the Executive Committee are Vice Presidents Sally M. Bixby, R. Scott Jenkins and Richard L. Chinnen. The five appointed at-large members are Ernesto Cardenas, Brian K. James, Karen W. Jong, Amit R. Patel and Mary C. Pings.
Conzonire also announced the election of two new members of the Association’s Board of Directors, Pamela S. McNeely and Jon T. Montgomery.
The 120th Rose Parade, which will carry the theme “Hats Off To Entertainment,” will take place Jan. 1, 2009.