Sylmar Neighborhood Council: SNC Board


Name:	Quyen Vo-Ramirez
Role:	President
Representing:	Retail
Term Ends:	June 2010
Contact:	Email Quyen
Bio:	As a wife, parent and business owner, education is and has been an important part of my life. From kindergarten to Grover Cleveland High School, I grew up in LAUSD. I furthered my education with a B.A. from Occidental College. I then received my Masters in Landscape Architecture from Cal Poly Pomona. As President, I see myself as a mediator and problem solver between the SNC Board and the community to enhance the quality of life in Sylmar.
Goals:	My goal is to collaborate and foster partnerships with our community based organizations and the City entities to ensure we receive our fair share of services.

Name:	Tammy Flores
Role:	Vice President of Administration
Representing:	Renters
Term Ends:	June 2010
Contact:	Email Tammy
Bio:	I am a 7 year resident of Sylmar. I have been with the SNC since 2004 and proudly served as the first President of this board until 2008. I graduated with honors from a certification program in Zoology from UCLA and continued my work in exotic animal conservation with the Wildlife Waystation. I currently serve as an Ambassador for the Make a Wish foundation where my role is to grant wishes for children with life threatening diseases; a few of which are from our community. I have been a City of LA Crisis Response team member for 3 years which helps families by being a liaison between them and the public safety services during the time of a crisis due to death or any homeland security issue. As a trained Ambassador for the Emergency Preparedness team developed by the Mayor’s office, my job is to also make sure that our community has a plan in place in case of catastrophic disaster. In 2005, I graduated from the Valley Leadership Program. My background is in Marketing and Financial Planning.
Goals:	My goal is to promote community involvement in all issues pertaining to a cleaner safer community. My biggest goal at this time is to green our freeways, and with the help of our elected officials, upgrade our community so that we get the services that we are long overdue for.

Name:	Rick Donnelly
Role:	Vice President of Communications
Representing:	Senior
Term Ends:	June 2010
Contact:	Email Rick
Bio:	He and his wife of 37 years have 4 children and 5 grandchildren living in Sylmar. He has owned and operated a small business in Sylmar where he has lived for the past 38 years.
Goals:	He has a strong desire to have every stakeholder aware of the services this Neighborhood Council can provide to make our community a better place to live, work and play.

Name:	Randall Kelly
Role:	Treasurer Budget Committee Chair
Representing:	Faith Based Organization
Term Ends:	June 2010
Contact:	Email Randall
Bio:	I am a native of the North Valley; born in Sun Valley, raised in Lakeview Terrace and living in Sylmar for almost 20 years. I am a graduate of Olive Vista Junior High, Kennedy High, and Humboldt State University with a BA Degree in Recreation Administration and a Minor in Business. I have served the community for over 27 years through the City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks department, currently serving as a Recreation Supervisor.
Goals:	As Superintendent of Youth Activities at Bible Baptist Church in Sylmar, I am working to develop responsible youth for a life time of service.

Name:	Nicholas J. Krall
Role:	Public Relations Coordinator
Representing:	At Large
Term Ends:	June 2010
Contact:	Email Nick
Bio:	Nick Krall is a 4 year Sylmar resident, horse owner, musician, motorcyclist and novice hang-glider. His career has gone from teaching to programming, to business and financial consulting. Nick says, "When I received the notice of the first election for the Sylmar NC Anne and I thought this would be a great way to get plugged-in to our new community. So we both ran, I got elected, and the rest, as they say, is history!"
Goals:	My goals on the council have been to get to know the wishes of our community, and to improve the responsiveness of the Los Angeles City agencies to those wishes, and I am excited about the progress we are making.

Name:	Erlin Arellano
Role:	Beautification & Grants Sub Committee Chair
Representing:	Youth
Term Ends:	June 2010
Contact:	Email Erlin
Bio:	I have been a resident of Sylmar since I was born in May of 1991. I am currently a Student at Options For Youth Charter School and Los Angeles Mission College; I will be a graduate of Options For Youth in June of 2008. I am very involved within the community and am part of Richard Alarcon’s Young Senators Program.
Goals:	I have many aspirations to make a difference in the community and to bring the youth together to create a movement in which the youth will make a difference .

Name:	Bonnie Bernard
Role:
Representing:	Retail
Term Ends:	June 2010
Contact:	Email Bonnie
Bio:	I began the grassroots efforts for the SNC in 2001 and was the Point person until the council became certified by the City.
Goals:	I serve as Vice President and wish to assist this council evolve and serve as an active vehicle for improved quality of life and enhance the community overall.

Name:	Hiral Bhakta
Role:	Co-Chair Outreach Committee
Representing:	Retail
Term Ends:	June 2010
Contact:	Email Hiral
Bio:	Graduate from San Fernando HS in 2003 and UC Santa Cruz in 2006 w/ B.S. in Business Management Economics and Accounting Concentration. I have lived in Sylmar for 9 years as my family runs a small business in Sylmar. My experience in both living and running a business in Sylmar with my academic experience and my youthful energy will be the catalyst that illuminates the greatness of Sylmar.
Goals:	To eliminate the fear of "darkness" in Sylmar. To bring a "Night Culture" in Sylmar where both young and old can both together enjoy, without being in fear.

Name:	Cheri Blose
Role:
Representing:	Equestrian
Term Ends:	June 2010
Contact:	Email Cheri
Bio:	I
Goals:	I

Name:	Hector Cabrera
Role:
Representing:	At Large
Term Ends:	June 2010
Contact:	Email Hector
Bio:	Born in Cananea Sonora, Mexico Masters of Arts from U.C. Berkeley, in Psychology M.Div. from Jesuit School of theology Elected to SNC June 18, 2005 Hector currently serves on City of San Fernando Children, Youth and Families Advisory Committee, was co-chair from 2004 to 2006 and Chair 2006 to 2007 Hector has worked for fourteen years as a Foster Care Social Worker in Los Angeles and San Francisco. He was Director of the Welfare to Work Program For Catholic Charities Program 1999 to 2000. He was named Special Assistant Congressman Gamez from Sonora from 2000 to 2003. He was named to serve on the Synod for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles from 2002 to 2003. He presently working with at risk youth programs.
Goals:	Having been past Chair and Co-chair of SNC, Public Safety Committee he continues to be very involved in local schools that youth are safe. Hector is very passionate about having better lit streets and more street humps to secure safety of residents.

Name:	Gene Gatmaitan
Role:
Representing:	HCO
Term Ends:	June 2010
Contact:	Email Gene
Bio:	I was born in Manila, Philippines and educated by the Jesuits. While in Manila, joined and organized reform movements and communities during the Marcos Era of Martial Law. Migrated to the Los Angeles, California, United States of America in Septmber of 1980 and became its citizen by choice. Married for 36 years blessed with three children and their spouses and six grandchildren; Joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) from 1995 to the present.
Goals:	To protect and serve the community Specifically: Will try to seek GREEN ALTERNATIVES for Sylmar community by coordinating with local schools and colleges for possibilities of offering Alternative Energy Courses to students to help solve the nation's energy crisis; Will be a part of solving the 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. traffic crunch in the corner of Gladstone & Maclay Sts. by coordinating with Alarcon's office. Will try to organize regular community workshops on matters of local interest thru the help of our local schools and colleges.

Name:	Fabian Garcia
Role:	Chair Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee
Representing:	Renter
Term Ends:	June 2010
Contact:	Email Fabian
Bio:	I'm a lifelong resident of Sylmar; received my Bachelors Degree from UC Santa Barbara. Involved in Outreach Committee.
Goals:	My goal is to ensure that our community's diverse interests are heard by the board and will work to develop key relationships with other city officials.

Name:	Saul Gonzalez
Role:	Chair Education Committee
Representing:	Community Based Organization
Term Ends:	June 2010
Contact:	Email Saul
Bio:	I have been a Sylmar resident for over 23 years. Cal State Northridge Graduate, U.S. Air Force Veteran and Local Business Owner, I have worked for local Community Based Non Profits assisting Families and Youths throughout the City of Los Angeles. I recognize the importance and challenges of the Council and understand the significance of public service.
Goals:	My goal on the council is to be a voice for our community stakeholders. I want to personally work with our stakeholders, and with a vision, we are building a safe community with a commitment to thoughtful design, planned growth and quality services. I want Sylmar to continue to thrive as community, by improving local business opportunities and assisting current businesses find success in our local marketplace. We live in a community rich with diversity and ideas, all of our residents deserve to be heard, and to live in safe community, experiencing the best quality of life possible.

Name:	Martin Laufer
Role:	Co-Chair of the Bylaws Committee
Representing:	HCO
Term Ends:	June 2010
Contact:	Email Martin
Bio:	Martin has lived in his home in Sylmar for twenty years. He has a wife and two adult sons who are both married. Martin and his wife Bea are REALTORS and help people to buy and sell homes and land in Sylmar and the North Los Angeles County. Martin was on the original bylaws committee and was instrumental in getting the Sylmar Neighborhood Council certified.
Goals:	Martin's goal is to work with the neighborhood council to facilitate getting our fair share of city services including street paving, traffic safety, police and fire protection, and an effective education environment in our public schools. I desire to work with the city councilman's office of Richard Alarcon, and the various agencies to have open and meaningful communication that can improve the daily lives of the Sylmar stakeholders.

Name:	George Ortega
Role:	Chair Land Use Committee
Representing:	Recreation / Open Space
Term Ends:	June 2010
Contact:	Email George
Bio:	I have a BS Degree in Civil Engineering and have worked 22 years in the City of Burbank Public Works Dept: 4 years with Sanitary Engineering, 10 years with Permits, 8 years with Traffic Engineering.
Goals:	My goals are to lend some expertise to the board about improving infrastructure, advocate improving and increasing parks and recreational facilities and being a voice of deliberation and reason. Specially working on improving bus stops in our community.

Name:	Guillermo (Memo) Reyes
Role:	Co Chair Public Services Committee
Representing:	HCO
Term Ends:	June 2010
Contact:	Email Memo
Bio:	I was born and raised in Los Angeles, moving further east in my young adult years. In 2002, I came to Sylmar to work and, met my wife Ana. From there my life changed, since Ana gave me the confidence to do basically any thing I want to do. I involved myself with the Sylmar Chamber of Commerce while becoming a real estate agent. Since living in Sylmar I started noticing the deteriorated condition of local streets. Instead of laying back and complaining, however, I decided to become involved with the Sylmar Neighborhood Council. Before I became a board director I was involved with the Land Use, Public Services, the Beautification and the Outreach Committee.
Goals:	My goal is to make Sylmar a better community. I want our main corridors to stand out. I want people passing through our town and say, “What a nice community!”

Name:	Jeanne Rowe
Role:	Co-Chair Bylaws Committee Co-Chair Outreach Committee
Representing:	Education
Term Ends:	June 2010
Contact:	818-367-5410
Bio:	I have been a Sylmar resident since 1960. Began my business, Rowe Accounting Service in 1962. Clients over the last 45 years have included legal, educational, and general office, Orange Julius stores, contractors, plumbing, electrical, construction, retail. Past president of Sylmar Chamber of Commerce, Mission College Foundation, SF Emblem Club #37, Co-Founder Foothill Advisory Booster Association, Active Board Mission Community Police Council, Support of Corral #12, SIBL, Friends of Library.
Goals:	My goal is to include and serve as many neighbors, businesses and issues that effect the community as possible.

Name:	Jan Sandstrom
Role:	Chair Commercial and Business Interests Committee
Representing:	Industrial
Term Ends:	June 2010
Contact:	Email Jan
Bio:	Jan Sandstrom has lived in Sylmar since 1970 and has been an active member of several community organizations. She was part of the formation group for the Sylmar Neighborhood Council. As publisher of the Smart Shopper magazine she meets and speaks with various business owners throughout Sylmar listening to their suggestions and concerns.
Goals:	I

Name:	Jim Schopper
Role:	Co Chair Public Services Committee
Representing:	Home / Condo Owner
Term Ends:	June 2010
Contact:	Email Jim
Bio:	I
Goals:	I

Name:	Esteban Tavares
Role:	Chair Events Committee
Representing:	Community Based Organization
Term Ends:	June 2010
Contact:	Email Esteban
Bio:
Goals:	My goals are to become more involved in our community and make sure that our youth are being represented like they should be. I also plan to help in the process of making our comunnity a safe place for every one to enjoy. I also plan to educate our community on the effects of cancer and how to prevent it. If you have any questions,comments, and or concerns please feel free to contact me.

Name:	Lynn Zekanis
Role:	Co-Chair Bylaws Committee
Representing:	At Large
Term Ends:	June 2010
Contact:	Email Lynn
Bio:	I have been a resident of Sylmar for 4 years and enjoy the low-density and agricultural zoning that allows us a taste of rural living in the suburbs.
Goals:	My goals are to improve the functioning of the SNC as a tool for communication within the community and facilitating community improvement.