League of California Cities announces new board officers and directors

Sep 22, 2023

Contact: Karina Gonzalez
kgonzalez@calcities.org
(916) 658-8223

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fowler Mayor Daniel Parra elected League of California Cities president

Sacramento — The League of California Cities announced its 2023-24 leadership and Board of Directors on Friday, Sept. 22, as part of the Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo.

The Cal Cities Board of Directors elected Fowler Mayor Daniel Parra to serve as president, Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Kennedy to serve as first vice president, and El Cerrito Council Member Gabe Quinto to serve as second vice president. Artesia Council Member Ali Sajjad Taj, who served as the 2022-23 president, became immediate past president.

“It is an honor to work with such diverse and seasoned city leaders,” said Cal Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman. “Each of their unique perspectives helps advance Cal Cities’ work to influence statewide policy for the benefit of city residents and strengthen the capacity of city officials and staff. I look forward to working with them to protect local decision-making and improve the quality of life in the Golden State.”

Parra has served on the Fowler City Council since 2008. During his tenure, Parra has been instrumental in the revitalization of Fowler’s downtown using 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 a past president of the Cal Cities Latino Caucus.

A native of the Central Valley, Parra is active in several community organizations including the Fowler Lion’s Club and the local chapter of the Knights of Columbus. Parra previously served in the United States Air Force.

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:

Walter Allen III, Mayor, Covina
Andrew Chou, Mayor, Diamond Bar
Britt Huff, Mayor, Rolling Hills Estates
Lisa Middleton, Council Member, Palm Springs
Ana Maria Quintana, Vice Mayor, Bell
Cindy Silva, Mayor, Walnut Creek

The 2023-24 Cal Cities Board of Directors are:

Officers:

President Daniel Parra, Mayor, Fowler
First Vice President Lynne Kennedy, Mayor Pro Tem, Rancho Cucamonga
Second Vice President Gabe Quinto, Council Member, El Cerrito
Immediate Past President Ali Sajjad Taj, Council Member, Artesia

Directors:

Teresa Acosta, Council Member, Carlsbad – At-large
Ashleigh Aitken, Mayor, Anaheim – Large City
Walter Allen III, Mayor, Covina – At-large
Jan Arbuckle, Mayor, Grass Valley – At-large
Al Austin, Council Member, Long Beach – Large City Representative
Melanie Bagby, Council Member, Cloverdale – At-large
Karen Bass, Mayor, Los Angeles – Large City
Scott Bauer, Council Member, Eureka – Redwood Empire Division
LaTanya Bellow, Deputy City Manager, Berkeley – Personnel and Employee Relations Department
Priya Bhat-Patel, Mayor Pro Tem, Carlsbad – Women’s Caucus
James Bozajian, Council Member, Calabasas – Los Angeles County Division
London Breed, Mayor, San Francisco – Large City
Andrew Chou, Mayor, Diamond Bar – At-large
David Cohen, Council Member, San Jose – Large City Representative
Karen Comstock, Mayor Pro Tem, Chino – Inland Empire Division
Christine Dietrick, City Attorney, San Luis Obispo – City Attorneys Department
Alice Dowdin Calvillo, Mayor, Auburn – Sacramento Valley 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, Mayor Pro Tem, La Palma – At-large
Eric Guerra, Mayor Pro Tem, Sacramento – Large City Representative
Rene Guerrero, Director of Public Works, Pomona – Public works Department
Mike Healy, Council Member, Petaluma – North Bay Division
Britt Huff, Mayor, Rolling Hills Estates – At-large
Randi Johl, Legislative Director/City Clerk, Temecula – City Clerks Department
Dan Kalb, Council Member, Oakland – Large City Representative
Jim Lewis, City Manager, Atascadero – City Managers Department
Ray Marquez, Council Member, Chino Hills – At-large
Lisa Middleton, Council Member, Palm Springs – At-large
John Minto, Mayor, Santee – San Diego County Division
Scott Nassif, Mayor, 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 – At-large
Roberta Raper, Dir. Of Finance and Technology, West Sacramento – Fiscal Officers Department
Dana Reed, Council Member, Indian Wells – Riverside County Division
David Sander, Vice Mayor, Rancho Cordova – NLC
Cindy Silva, Mayor, Walnut Creek – At-large
Jeff Smith, Police Chief, Pismo Beach – Police Chiefs Department
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
Anna Velazquez, Mayor, Soledad – Latino Caucus
Malia Vella, Council Member, Alameda – API Caucus
Tyller Williamson, Mayor, Monterey – LGBTQ Caucus
Dan Wright, Council Member, Stockton – Central Valley Division

Fowler Mayor Daniel Parra elected League of California Cities president

Sacramento — The League of California Cities Board of Directors elected Fowler Mayor Daniel Parra to serve as the organization’s 2023-24 president. Parra was installed on Sept. 22 as part of the Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo.

“It is an honor to serve as president for Cal Cities during its 125th year of advocacy and education on behalf of California cities,” said Mayor Parra. "I'm eager to help lead California cities in fostering diverse, inclusive, and equitable communities that cater to the needs of all Californians."

“Daniel is a strong and experienced leader, and I have seen firsthand his dedication to Cal Cities,” said Carolyn Coleman, League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO. “As president, Daniel will spearhead our unified efforts at safeguarding local government and advocating for the issues that are most important to California cities.”

This week the Cal Cities Board of Directors also elected Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Kennedy to serve as first vice president and El Cerrito Council Member Gabe Quinto to serve as second vice president. Artesia Council Member Ali Sajjad Taj, who served as the 2022-23 president, became immediate past president.

Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Kennedy elected League of California Cities first vice president

Sacramento — The League of California Cities Board of Directors elected Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Kennedy to serve as the organization’s 2023-24 first vice president. Kennedy was installed on Sept. 22 as part of the Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo.

“It is with great honor that I take my place among the esteemed leadership team of the League of California Cities,” said Mayor Pro Tem Kennedy. “I am committed to furthering Cal Cities’ mission to protect local decision-making and educate city officials. It is my priority to ensure the needs of cities are a priority in state-level decisions.”

Kennedy, a lifelong public servant with a 40-year career in education and city administration, has been a Rancho Cucamonga City Council member since 2014. Her diligent work ensured a balanced city budget and the preservation of essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since 2021, Kennedy has been involved with the League of California Cities, participating in the Transportation, Communications, and Public Works Policy Committee, and serving on the Cal Cities Inland Empire Division Legislative Task Force.

“Lynne’s passion and dedication as a city leader and member of Cal Cities is inspiring,” said League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman. “She is sensitive to the concerns of individual cities and the importance of working together to find solutions to the difficult challenges all our cities face.”

A resident of the Inland Empire, Lynne is active in several community organizations, including the San Bernardino Valley Chapter of The Links, Inc., and serves as Executive Director of Equity and Inclusion at the Chaffey Joint Union High School District.

This week, the Cal Cities Board of Directors also elected Fowler Mayor Daniel Parra to serve as president, and El Cerrito Council Member Gabe Quinto to serve as second vice president. Artesia Council Member Ali Sajjad Taj, who served as the 2022-23 president, became immediate past president.

El Cerrito Council Member Gabe Quinto elected League of California Cities second vice president

Sacramento — The League of California Cities Board of Directors elected El Cerrito Council Member Gabe Quinto to serve as the organization’s 2023-24 second vice president. Quinto was installed on Sept. 22 as part of the Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo.

“As an active member of Cal Cities since 2015, I have had the honor of being part of an organization that has helped cities in the state of California on the most critical issues of our time,” said Council Member Quinto. “I look forward to further fostering positive change for California cities through our collaborative efforts.”

When Quinto began his first term on the El Cerrito City Council in 2014, he became El Cerrito’s first Filipino-American, and first LGBTQ Council Member. Quinto has prioritized equity and diversity in El Cerrito and on all the boards he's served on over the years.

Quinto's extensive involvement with Cal Cities includes past presidencies on its Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, LGBTQ Caucus, and East Bay Division, as well as committee roles in Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Governance, and Environmental Policy.

“Gabe’s involvement in Cal Cities has been invaluable,” said League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman. “His wealth of experience as a Council Member, Mayor, and regional leader in El Cerrito has greatly enriched our organization and I look forward to his growth as a statewide leader and contributions in the coming year.”

Quinto is active in several organizations, including Equality California and CivicWell. He also serves as a board member of A Wider Bridge.

This week, the Cal Cities Board of Directors also elected Fowler Mayor Daniel Parra to serve as president and Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Kennedy to serve as first vice president. Artesia Council Member Ali Sajjad Taj, who served as the 2022-23 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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