October marks the start of a new fiscal year for the Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DLBA). That also includes new Board leadership for the organization. Incoming chair Loara Cadavona, a resident of the City’s first council district, took the reins from Alan Pullman, who founded the Downtown Long Beach-based architecture firm Studio One Eleven in 2000, and recently reflected on his term over the last year guiding the organization through an unprecedented period.
“I certainly saw the challenges our organization and the Downtown community had to contend with, especially as the Delta variant of the COVID-19 pandemic continued to pose a health crisis to our community. But despite these challenges, I ended the term very hopeful about the prospects for Downtown Long Beach,” said Pullman, who remains on the Board’s Executive Committee.
“During the last year, I saw businesses working tirelessly to stay open, construction and planning of new buildings continuing at a record pace, and occupancy of residences and businesses improving. As a result, regionally, Long Beach has emerged as a desirable place to live and work through the pandemic. At DLBA, we also have set the direction for the next decade by approving a new strategic plan framework and starting the work for renewing our Property Based Improvement District (PBID).”
As part of the yearly transition, the DLBA Board appointed a new Executive Committee. The following Board members are serving in executive roles for the fiscal year that runs from October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2022:
- Chair: Loara Cadavona
- Chair-Elect: Debra Fixen
- Past Chair: Alan Pullman
- Secretary: Allison Kripp
- Treasurer: Sheva Hosseinzadeh
- City Representative: John Keisler
- Alan Burks
- Denise Carter
- Sam Pierzina
During the first DLBA board meeting of the year, Cadavona reinforced initiatives for the organization. “I’m very excited to have the opportunity to connect with such a highly energized group of fellow board members, committee volunteers and staff through this unique period in the history of Downtown Long Beach,” Cadavona said in a recent press release about the new executive committee. “DLBA remains focused on responding to and advocating for our community needs. This includes implementing a new strategic plan, fueling economic recovery efforts, increasing diversity and inclusion, and preparing for a key PBID renewal.”
As Chair-Elect, Debra Fixen, General Manager of Shoreline Village, was appointed by the Board to serve as Chair for the 2022-23 fiscal year. She was DLBA Board treasurer last year. “I look forward to further supporting the organization’s efforts to contribute to the long-term vitality of our Downtown,” Fixen said.
A list of DLBA board members can be found here. In July, stakeholders ratified an approved slate of proposed directors after the DLBA Governance Committee previously reached out to the Downtown community and solicited nominations for elected positions. This includes members representing the Property Based Improvement District (PBID) and Downtown Parking Improvement District (DPIA).
The DLBA Board meets on the third Wednesday in even-numbered months, while the Executive Committee meets monthly on the first Thursday. In compliance with the Brown Act, all DLBA Board and Committee meetings are open to the public and members of the community are encouraged to attend and participate.