The Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DLBA) is proud to introduce you to Jeremy Ancalade, our new Chief Financial Officer. In this role, Ancalade will be responsible for planning, implementing, and managing all of DLBA’s financial functions, and making sure DLBA remains in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles, along with all local, state and federal regulations.
Ancalade hails from Triumph, a small town (population: 216) in the Mississippi Delta region of Southern Louisiana. “Early on, no one would have anticipated this career path for me,” he said. “It was expected that I would remain in Louisiana and might even be a tugboat captain, as my father had been. I don’t think anyone would have guessed I’d be working in Southern California.”
While studying Theater and Business at Loyola University, New Orleans, Ancalade’s career path came into focus. “I’ve always been driven and inspired by volunteerism and community-based service work, which was solidified by the Jesuit education I received at Loyola,” he explained. “The Jesuit traditions of being a person for and with others resonated deeply with me and remain a core part of my personal values.”
While going through one of the most difficult times of his life — Hurricane Katrina — Ancalade moved to Long Beach in 2005 to enroll in a post-graduate pilot program in Theatre Management at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), earning Master’s Degrees in Business Administration and Fine Arts. “It is at CSULB where I really developed the skills to do my work,” he said. “The business curriculum prepared me for the logistical components of what I do, and the arts curriculum empowered me to think differently about how I approach business matters, and, most importantly, how to effectively communicate business-related concepts.
“The city of Long Beach took me in, and it has become home for me,” Ancalade continued. “It is my hope that during my tenure at DLBA, I can work to return that favor, helping the Downtown Long Beach community to heal as we continue through the pandemic. Our mission is to cultivate, preserve and promote a healthy, safe and prosperous Downtown and I want to do just that. I want to facilitate healthy conversations between our partners: the City of Long Beach and our stakeholders.”
Ancalade’s charitable inclinations extend to his hobbies; An avid Star Trek fan, he is a member of a group that, besides encouraging fandom, is focused on helping charitable organizations and promoting volunteerism. “I enjoy volunteer work,” he said. “I serve on the Board of Shanti Orange County, a nonprofit strengthening individual’s health and wellbeing through individualized, culturally sensitive, and life affirming mental health services, and supportive services for those affected by HIV/AIDS and other chronic diseases. I have also volunteered with the American Legion’s California Boys State program preparing meals with Project Angel Food.”
During his annual visits to Triumph, where most of his family still lives, Ancalade shares stories of his new adventures. “I love the rich cultural diversity of Downtown Long Beach,” he said. “The art, the food, and the people are all simply wonderful. It is all concentrated into this perfect snapshot of hope for what can be.”