Mayors and Council Members

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The Mayors and Council Members Department provides networking opportunities and fosters professional development for department members through Cal Cities' educational and communication tools. It also serves as a technical and advisory resource to Cal Cities through its policy committee representatives.

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Department Officers

President - Melissa Hunt, Council Member, Anderson
First Vice President - Debbie Baker, Mayor, La Palma
Second Vice President - Kuldip Thusu, Council Member, Dinuba
Immediate Past President - Susannah Meyer, Vice Mayor, Brentwood
Department Director - Lori Ogorchock, Council Member, Antioch

Policy Committee Representatives

Appointed by the department president, each department has at least one representative on each of the Cal Cities' standing seven policy committees that can provide technical information to the committee as a whole to ensure that the department has a voice in the decision-making process, and make recommendations to the board of directors on legislative and policy issues.

Community Services – Liz Wynn, Council Member, Visalia
Environmental Quality – Anissa Williams, City Council Member, Oakley
Governance, Transparency, and Labor Relations - Eniko Gold, Council Member, Hidden Hills
Housing, Community, and Economic Development – Sharon Springer, Council Member, Burbank
Public Safety – Michael Vargas, Mayor, Perris
Revenue and Taxation – Jack Balch, Council Member, Pleasanton
Transportation, Communication, and Public Works – Ann Schneider, Council Woman, Millbrea

Leadership Academy Torch Program

The League of California Cities Mayors and Council Members Department honors the hard work and dedication of its peers through the Mayors and Council Members Torch Program. Each year, elected officials from throughout California earn recognition as they progress upward through three sequential levels of achievement:

Level I – Leadership
Level II – Advanced Leadership
Level III – Leadership in Action

Apply Now

*if you are completing the Torch application for anyone other than yourself, contact Meghan McKelvey.

What is the program?

The Torch Program is an educational program for mayors and council members who are seeking continuing education to enhance their own knowledge and skills in order to better serve the public. The Torch Program is voluntary and achievements are self-reportable.

Be recognized for your achievements

Mayors and Council Members who reach Advanced Leadership and Leadership in Action levels of the Leadership Academy are honored at the League of California Cities' Annual Conference with a certificate and torch lapel pin. Cal Cities can also arrange for recognition at your own city council meeting and/or via a news release.

Apply now and be recognized for your achievements. Contact Meghan McKelvey, Manager, Department & Membership Services, for more information or to submit your qualifications.

A list of Mayors and Council Members who have received recognition since 2003 can be found here: Leadership (Level 1), Advanced Leadership (Level 2) and Leadership in Action (Level 3).

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