League of California Cities announces new board officers and directors

Sep 9, 2022

Contact: Kayla Sherwood
ksherwood@calcities.org
(530) 844-1744

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Artesia Council Member Ali Sajjad Taj elected League of California Cities president

Sacramento — The League of California Cities announced its 2022-23 leadership and Board of Directors on Friday, Sept. 9, as part of the Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo.

The Cal Cities Board of Directors elected Artesia Council Member Ali Sajjad Taj to serve as president, Fowler Council Member Daniel Parra to serve as first vice president, and Palm Springs Mayor Lisa Middleton to serve as second vice president. Walnut Creek Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Silva who served as the 2021-22 president, became immediate past president.

“I am thrilled to work alongside this dedicated group of city leaders,” said League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman. “Each of our board officers and members are dedicated public servants who bring tremendous knowledge and insight, and I look forward to all we will accomplish in the coming year to advance our communities.”

Taj has served on the Artesia City Council since 2013 and has served two terms as mayor. Throughout his tenure on the city council, Taj has focused his efforts on solving day-to-day quality of life issues for Artesia residents by supporting projects that improve the city’s lighting, street quality, and traffic safety, while being an advocate for bringing new businesses that generate revenue for city services and provide new amenities for residents.

Taj worked in the financial services industry for two decades and held several key leadership positions, including district manager, regional manager, managing principal, and vice president of multinational firms like American Express, Ameriprise Financial, Weddell & Reed, and T.D. Ameritrade.

Taj represents Artesia on numerous regional boards and committees, including as board member and vice president for the California Contract Cities Association and as chair for the Eco-Rapid Transit Authority of Los Angeles County.

Under the Cal Cities’ bylaws, officers are elected to serve a one-year term with the outgoing president becoming immediate past president. Along with Cal Cities Executive Director Coleman, the four officers comprise the organization’s executive committee. Individual releases for each of the board officers can be found at the end of this release.

The board also elected six at-large directors who will serve a two-year term. These directors are:

Teresa Acosta, Council Member, Carlsbad
Jan Arbuckle, Vice Mayor, Grass Valley
Melanie Bagby, Council Member, Cloverdale
Marshall Goodman, Council Member, La Palma
Ray Marquez, Mayor, Chino Hills
Jaime Patino, Council Member, Union City

The 2022-23 Cal Cities Board of Directors are:

Officers:

President Ali Sajjad Taj, Council Member, Artesia
First Vice President Dan Parra, Council Member, Fowler
Second Vice President Lisa Middleton, Mayor, Palm Springs
Immediate Past President Cindy Silva, Mayor Pro Tem, Walnut Creek

Directors:

Teresa Acosta, Council Member, Carlsbad – At-large
Jan Arbuckle, Vice Mayor, Grass Valley – At-large
Al Austin, Council Member, Long Beach – Large City Representative
Melanie Bagby, Council Member, Cloverdale – At-large
LaTanya Bellow, Deputy City Manager, Berkeley – Personnel and Employee Relations Department
London Breed, Mayor, San Francisco – Large City
Joe Buscaino, Council Member, President Pro Tem, Los Angeles – Large City Representative
David Cohen, Council Member, San Jose – Large City Representative
Michael Colantuono, City Attorney, Grass Valley – City Attorneys Department
Phil Dupper, Mayor, Loma Linda – Inland Empire Division
Jerry Dyer, Mayor, Fresno – Large City
Neysa Fligor, Council Member, Los Altos – Peninsula Division
Edgard Garcia, Council Member, El Centro – Imperial County Division
Todd Gloria, Mayor, San Diego – Large City
Karen Goh, Mayor, Bakersfield – Large City
Marshall Goodman, Council Member, La Palma – At-large
Eric Guerra, Council Member, Sacramento – Large City Representative
Rene Guerrero, Director of Public Works, Pomona – Public works Dept.
Mike Healy, Council Member, Petaluma – North Bay Division
Lindsey Horvath, Council Member, West Hollywood – NLC Board of Directors
Britt Huff, Mayor Pro Tem, Rolling Hills Estates – At-large
Randi Johl, Legislative Director/City Clerk, Temecula – City Clerks Department
Dan Kalb, Council Member, Oakland – Large City Representative
Ellen Kamei, Council Member, Mountain View – Women’s Caucus
Lynne Kennedy, Mayor Pro Tem, Rancho Cucamonga – At-large
Jim Lewis, City Manager, Pismo Beach – City Managers Department
Corina Lopez, Council Member, San Leandro – NLC Board of Directors
Gloria Ma’ae, Council Member, Anaheim – Large City Representative
Ray Marquez, Mayor, Chino Hills – At-large
Steve Martin, Mayor, Paso Robles – Channel Counties
Porsche Middleton, Mayor, Citrus Heights – At-large
John Minto, Mayor, Santee – San Diego County Division
Richard Montgomery, Mayor Pro Tem, Manhattan Beach – At-large
Scott Nassif, Council Member, Apple Valley, Desert Mountain Division
Eric Nelson, Planning Commissioner, Dana Point – Planning and Community Development Department
Kim Nguyen, Council Member, Garden Grove – Orange County Division
Lori Ogorchock, Council Member, Antioch – Mayors and Council Members Department
Jaime Patino, Council Member, Union City – At-large
Dave Potter, Mayor, Carmel – Monterey Bay Division
Ana Maria Quintana, Vice Mayor, Bell – Los Angeles County Division
Gabe Quinto, Mayor, El Cerrito – At-large
Roberta Raper, Dir. Of Finance and Technology, West Sacramento – Fiscal Officers Dept.
Dana Reed, Mayor, Indian Wells – Riverside County Division
Jeff Smith, Police Chief, Pismo Beach – Police Chiefs Department
Esmeralda Soria, Council Member, Fresno – Latino Caucus
Dan Stefano, Fire Chief, Costa Mesa – Fire Chiefs Department
Kuldip Thusu, Council Member, Dinuba – South San Joaquin Valley Division
Racquel Vasquez, Mayor, Lemon Grove – African American Caucus
Malia Vella, Vice Mayor, Alameda – API Caucus
Tyller Williamson, Council Member, Monterey – LGBTQ Caucus
Dan Wright, Council Member, Stockton – Central Valley Division
Nancy Young, Mayor, Tracy – At-large

Artesia Council Member Ali Sajjad Taj elected League of California Cities president

Sacramento — The League of California Cities Board of Directors elected Artesia Council Member Ali Sajjad Taj to serve as its 2022-23 president. Council Member Taj was installed on Sept. 9 as part of the Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo.

“I have benefitted both personally and professionally from my involvement in Cal Cities throughout my 9 years in public service, and I’m excited to give back as president,” said Council Member Taj. “I look forward to working alongside such skilled, thoughtful, and insightful local leaders as we advocate for policies that enhance our communities and the lives of our residents.”

“Ali has been an insightful and valued member of Cal Cities for many years,” said League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman. “Ali brings expertise, commitment to public service, and dedication to the belief that effective, locally- led policymaking builds stronger communities.”

During its meeting this week, the Cal Cities Board of Directors also elected Fowler Council Member Daniel Parra to serve as first vice president and Palm Springs Mayor Lisa Middleton to serve as second vice president. Walnut Creek Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Silva, who served as the 2021-22 president, became immediate past president.

Fowler Council Member Daniel Parra elected League of California Cities first vice president

Sacramento — The League of California Cities Board of Directors elected Fowler Council Member Daniel Parra to serve as the organization’s 2022-23 first vice president. Parra was installed on Sept. 9 as part of the Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo.

“I am honored to serve as first vice president for the leading voice for California cities,” said Council Member Parra. “I look forward to working together with local leaders from throughout the state to find solutions to our communities’ most pressing challenges.”

Parra has served on the Fowler City Council since 2008 and has been a strong voice for his community since being elected to local office. During his tenure on the city council, Parra was instrumental in the revitalization of Fowler’s downtown through the use of redevelopment funds. The effort not only helped bring new jobs to Fowler, but also brought the community together and encouraged residents to buy and stay local.

Parra has been actively involved with the League of California Cities for many years, having served twice as chair of the Transportation, Communications, and Public Works Policy Committee. Parra has previously served as state director for Cal Cities’ South San Joaquin Valley Division and is past president of the Cal Cities Latino Caucus.

“Dan is a committed and enthusiastic city leader who is devoted to empowering California communities,” said League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman. “Dan’s insight and leadership will be integral as we face new challenges and opportunities in the coming year.”

A native of the central valley, Parra is active in several community organizations including the Fowler Lion’s Club, the local chapter of the Knights of Columbus, and the Fowler NFL Flag Football League. Parra previously served in the United States Air Force.

During its meeting this week, the Cal Cities Board of Directors also elected Artesia Council Member AIi Sajjad Taj to serve as president and Lisa Middleton to serve as second vice president. Walnut Creek Mayor pro Tem Cindy Silva, who served as the 2021-22 president, became immediate past president.

Lisa Middleton elected League of California Cities second vice president

Sacramento — The League of California Cities Board of Directors elected Palm Springs Mayor Lisa Middleton to serve as the organization’s 2022-23 second vice president. Middleton was installed on Sept. 9 as part of the Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo.

“Throughout my tenure in public service, I have witnessed Cal Cities’ effective advocacy work on behalf of all California residents and experienced Cal Cities’ educational resources and professional development opportunities,” said Mayor Middleton. “I am honored to serve as second vice president, and I look forward to working beside such esteemed local leaders as we to drive pragmatic, practical solutions that improve the lives of every Californian.”

Middleton is a community activist and longtime public servant who was first elected to the Palm Springs City Council in 2017. In December 2021, Middleton became the Mayor of Palm Springs. She is the first transgender Mayor in California’s history. During her time on the city council, she has helped improve local transportation systems, ensure full quality of life for LGBTQ residents, combat the climate crisis, support local businesses, enhance affordable housing opportunities, and support unhoused residents.

Middleton has been actively involved with the League of California Cities for many years. She is the Immediate Past President of Cal Cities’ Riverside County Division, and previously served as the vice chair of the Cal Cities Revenue and Taxation Policy Committee. Middleton is also a former board member of the Cal Cities LGBTQ Caucus.

“Lisa is a lifelong advocate and dedicated city leader who is committed to improving California’s communities,” said League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman. “Her vast knowledge, leadership skills, and passion will be a huge asset to Cal Cities as we collectively advocate for the issues that matter most to California cities.”

Middleton currently serves on the Riverside County Transportation Commission and the Sunline Transit Board of Directors, where she works with partners from neighboring cities to provide high-quality transportation services to the region. She is also a dedicated regional and statewide leader as a member of the CalPERS Board of Administration.

During its meeting this week, the Cal Cities Board of Directors also elected Artesia Council Member AIi Sajjad Taj to serve as president and Fowler Council Member Daniel Parra to serve as first vice president. Walnut Creek Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Silva, who served as the 2021-22 president, became immediate past president.

Established in 1898, the League of California Cities is a nonprofit statewide association that advocates for cities with the state and federal governments and provides education and training services to elected and appointed city officials. Cal Cities’ mission is to expand and protect local control for cities through education and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for all Californians.

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