September 15, 2009 Candidates for vacant Venice Neighborhood Council Board position The below-named individuals are the 6 candidates for the 1 vacant Board position. The election procedure will be by ballot and will be posted for public review immediately after the completion of the below process: 1. One ballot will be used listing all Board candidates. 2. Each board member will vote for 1 Board candidate; in the event of a tie between two or more candidates for the one board position, runoff votes will be held between the tied candidates until the position is filled. 3. Upon completion of the voting process, board members will sign their ballots and the ballots will be immediately posted for public review. The candidate statements & CVs are below. Candidate answers to board member questions will be included in this document when received. André Rios Bollinger Page 2 Answers to Board Member Questions Jake Kaufman 5 Answers to Board Member Questions Roland Eavey 7 10 Answers to Board Member Questions peterthottam@gmail.com 12 rt4me2@verizon.net 13 Answers to Board Member Questions Kristopher Valentine rolandeavey@gmail.com 9 Answers to Board Member Questions Arthur Kessel Jake@jakekaufman.com 6 Answers to Board Member Questions Peter Thottam arbollin@yahoo.com 4 14 kristophervalentine@gmail.com 15 17 Page 1 of 17 pages André Bollinger From: Andre Bollinger [mailto:arbollin@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 7:44 PM To: VNC board Subject: Andre Bollinger for Community Officer Dear VNC Board Members, I would like to nominate myself for the recently vacated Community Officer position. Please find attached my resume and a statement explaining my qualifications and why I wish to serve on the VNC board. I look forward to seeing you all again at the next board meeting and answering any questions you may have. Best, André Ríos Bollinger Good evening Venice Neighborhood Council, My name is André Ríos Bollinger. I currently serve on the Venice Neighborhood Council (VNC) Education Committee and presented recently to the board, with Clarence Carter and Brooke Soles, on creating an education symposium. Thank you again for funding that project. I was born and raised in Venice California. I have been a stakeholder in Venice all of my life and have only been able to drag myself away from the community I love for college and my travels abroad. As a child my first experience advocating for my community was the long years of effort to protect the Balona Wetlands. Through my experiences in the community and the surrounding Los Angeles area I have developed a deep passion for education, underserved communities and the natural beauty of California. This past year I began working toward my Juris Doctorate at Loyola Law School. During this past year I was also a Teach For America School Board Fellow with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), as well as very active on my law school campus. I have been elected by my peers into multiple leadership positions for the upcoming year including, CoPresident of the Black Law Student Association, Graduation Chair of La Raza de Loyola, and the High School Recruitment Director for the Young Lawyers Program (which has repeatedly nationally recognized for its excellence by the American Bar Association). Before beginning law school I spent three years as a teacher and administrator in South Los Angeles working with children, families and communities of color to better the educational opportunities and college prospects of inner city youth. While teaching I attended Loyola Marymount University and received my Master of Arts in Elementary Education in May of 2007. Through my education, experiences teaching and working with the LAUSD Board I have learned how to advocate for communities, work with various stakeholders, seek out the resources needed, the importance of supporting our schools, as well as how to do so. In college I worked on social justice campaigns across the state of California, worked to lobby state and federal representatives as a member of the United States Students Association and organized international service projects to help orphaned children in the Dominican Republic. I wish to join the VNC to further pursue educational excellence and equity for all the children we serve. While Venice continues to develop, gentrify and progress forward economically, the educational opportunities for children remain unacceptably limited. While Venice schools have been and continue to do amazing work with their students, we continue to hover near state averages in many of our test scores and are below average in multiple areas dealing with Black and Latino students. That is unacceptable to me. I want to advocate for our schools, families and community needs so that we can support our students with the resources they need to become successful. I also have grown up surfing, walking, biking, going to school and working in Venice. I was a Lifeguard for the Los Angeles Fire Department for seven years and have a strong passion for protecting our beaches and encouraging the community to use our beaches and boardwalk responsibly. As I have grownup I have seen the amazing transformation of areas like Abbott Kinney and the Board Walk. I have seen the fabulous programs the VNC has organized such as neighborhood walks, emergency preparedness events, art walks and various festivals. I wish to become a part of this tradition of excellence that neighborhood councils around Los Angeles have aspired to. I am asking to become a member of the VNC Board so that I can work with you, the community and the City of Los Angeles to organize, research and propagate these issues, as well as those that community members raise, in order to find the best solutions for our community. Sincerely, André Ríos Bollinger Page 2 of 17 pages André Ríos Bollinger 650 Ocean Park #7, Santa Monica CA, 90405 ▪ (858)336-1564 ▪ andre.bollinger@gmail.com Education Loyola Law School J.D. – expected graduation May 2011 Loyola Marymount University M.A. Elementary Education and California Teaching Credential University of California at San Diego B.A. Ethnic Studies and Minor in Latin American Studies Los Angeles, CA (2008 – present) Los Angeles, CA (2005 – 2007) San Diego, CA (2000 – 2005) Professional Experience American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Legal Intern (Summer 2009) Supported the Director of Racial Justice with the development of a statewide litigation strategy around civil rights and discrimination in post-Proposition 209 California Drafted mission critical research on various initiatives and cases for the Director of Racial Justice Teach For America School Board Fellows Program Los Angeles, CA LAUSD School Board Fellow (2008 – 2009) Working with school board member Marlene Canter’s Office, specifically with the Innovation Division/iDesign and LAUSD policy development Teach For America/KIPP Academy of Opportunity Los Angeles, CA Teacher and Grade Level Leader (2005 – 2008) Supervised grade level team teachers and mentored new and struggling instructional personnel Member of the school leadership team coordinated grade level initiatives and managed 5th grade team growth Coordinated, facilitated and translated grade level meetings to increase student achievement and parent meetings to increase parent involvement Member of national corps of outstanding college graduates who teach in under-resourced urban public schools and work towards ending education inequity Executed innovative standards based curriculum that led students to average more than two grade levels of growth in a single year as measured by the California Standards Test Planned and coordinated an international field lesson for students to experience life, culture and their curriculum abroad in Costa Rica Teach For America San Diego, CA Campaign Coordinator (2003 – 2004) Met or exceeded all goals for recruiting diverse pool of highly qualified applicants by strategizing and implementing all San Diego area chapter projects Cross-Cultural Center, UCSD San Diego, CA Peer Educator (2001 – 2002) Designed and facilitated workshops and trainings on multicultural issues Created and executed strategies to increase the center’s visibility and outreach to students, staff and faculty Los Angeles County Fire Department Ocean Lifeguard and Emergency Medical Technician Los Angeles, CA (summers 2000-2006) Community and professional affiliations Black Law Student Association, Loyola Law School Co-President La Raza de Loyola, Loyola Law School Graduation Chair Los Angeles, CA (2009 – 2010) Los Angeles, CA (2009-2010) Languages Fluent Spanish, proficient Portuguese Interests Politics, languages, water polo, and soccer Page 3 of 17 pages Answers to Board Member Questions Page 4 of 17 pages Jake Kaufman ---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Jake Kaufman <Jake@jakekaufman.com> Date: Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 1:31 PM Subject: Position on VNC Board of Officers To: ira.koslow@venicenc.org Hi Ira, My name is Jake Kaufman; I live at 648 California Avenue in Venice. I am interested to actively supporting and joining the VNC. I will certainly be at the August 18 meeting. I am a Mechanical Engineer and have lived in California for the past 10 years. I've always been enjoyed politics and been active within the community. I would like to help maintain the traditions and history of Venice while helping to make it an even better home for all of us. I am an open-minded person and like to listen and learn before taking any position. I am comfortable changing my original position if persuaded by others' opinions. However, I am also comfortable in a taking a leadership role and standing up for myself, my opinions and those of the people I am working and living with and supporting. I will send a formal note with the details requested below to Board@VeniceNC.org, but I wanted to write to you personally and introduce myself. I know the meeting is coming up quickly, but if you do have the time and would like to meet for a coffee and talk prior to the meeting, that would be excellent for me! Best regards, Jake Kaufman ==================== Jake Kaufman 648 California Avenue Venice, CA 90291 USA 310-463-0299 ==================== Page 5 of 17 pages Answers to Board Member Questions Page 6 of 17 pages Roland Eavey -----Original Message----From: Roland Eavey [mailto:rolandeavey@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 4:46 PM To: secretary@venicenc.org; info@venicenc.org Subject: Board Position Hi There, I am interested in filling the vacant board position and will attend the board meeting tonight. Please find my resume attached. I have developed a passion for public service through my volunteer work with the West LA VA Medical Center and the Children's Lifesaving Foundation, a non-profit housed in the Venice Boys & Girls Club. I feel I have developed the leadership skills essential to effective public service through these roles, as well as during my undergraduate years both at Princeton, where I was Editor-in-Chief of a campus publication and held several fraternity leadership roles, and at the University of Cape Town, where I organized fundraisers for HIV awareness and prevention. I am an independent thinker and doer, having lived abroad in four foreign countries (Spain, Australia, South Africa, Argentina), experiences through which I have gained fluency both in language (Spanish, some French, some Italian) and foreign cultural perspectives. I draw upon these broad viewpoints in my service, while still maintaining, at my young age of 27, a deep connection and affection for the rights and values of the young and otherwise lessenfranchised. Since moving to Venice I have become active in the homeless and recovery communities and feel the position of Community Officer would enable me to make use of my community organizing skills in strengthening the values my consituents are passionate to uphold and modifying those practices my constituents show the will to have changed. Thank you for your time and consideration, Most sincerely, Roland Eavey Page 7 of 17 pages Roland D. Eavey rolandeavey@gmail.com 854 Rose Ave Venice, CA 90291 Education: 2007-2009 UCLA LOS ANGELES, CA Completion of postbaccalaureate premedical studies (physics, chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, psychology, neuroscience, statistics, public health). Cumulative GPA 3.98. Currently applying to medical schools. 2000 – 2004 PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRINCETON, NJ Phi Beta Kappa BA, English, Magna Cum Laude GPA: 3.90 (cumulative), 3.97 (departmental) English Department Comprehensive Prize (given to one senior) Editor-in-Chief, The Princeton Spectator 2004 BRIDGE-LINGUATEC, INC. BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA Received certification in TEFL (Teacher of English as a Foreign Language) instruction upon completion of a four-week CELTA-based course. Experience: 2007-2009 WEST LA VA MEDICAL CENTER LOS ANGELES, CA Conduct academic and laboratory-based epilepsy research under the guidance of Claude Wasterlain, MD, Chief of Neurology, VA Medical Center; and Vice Chair of Neurology, UCLA Medical Center. Also serve as volunteer patient escort to veterans. 2007-2009 CHILDREN’S LIFESAVING FOUNDATION VENICE, CA Serve as a volunteer tutor to at-risk youth with this organization housed in the Venice Boys & Girls Club. Also help organize fundraisers and field trips. All of our children attend local Venice and Santa Monica schools. 2009- LAUNCH EDUCATION SANTA MONICA, CA Private tutor to high-school aged students in Venice, Santa Monica, and Pacific Palisades. 2007-2009 IVYSTAR TUTORS SANTA MONICA, CA Private tutor to high-school aged students in Venice, Santa Monica, and Pacific Palisades. 2006-2007 LIGHTSTORM ENTERTAINMENT SANTA MONICA, CA Floater/Runner. Assisted accounting, production, and art departments. Mail, filing, copies, phones, and courier service. 2005-2006 JAMES CAMERON’S “AVATAR” MARINA DEL REY, CA Production Assistant/Assistant Floor AD. Summer 2005 “APPRECIATE YOU” (MUSIC VIDEO) VENICE, CA Production Assistant. Art dept. assistant, stand-in, craft services, runs. 2004-2005 BRIDGE-LINGUATEC, INC. BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA ESL Instructor. Clients drawn mainly from multinational corporations. Summer 2002 PAYROLL NETWORK, INC. KENSINGTON, MD Intern. Solicited new clients for a small, growing payroll firm. Summer 2002 ON TAP NEWSPAPER WASHINGTON, DC Intern. Wrote teasers and reviews for Events and Live Music sections. Summer 2002 MIRACLE TOUCH ACADEMY CLIFTON, VA Teacher. Designed and led a seven week PSAT/SAT verbal course. Summer 1999 THINK NEW IDEAS, INC. BOSTON, MA IT Assistant. Software and hardware maintenance, inventory, runs. Skills: Foreign Language. Fluent in Spanish. Computing. Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Photoshop, Final Draft, GarageBand Page 8 of 17 pages Answers to Board Member Questions Page 9 of 17 pages Peter Thottam From: Peter Thottam [mailto:peterthottam@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 8:09 AM To: Board@VeniceNC.org Cc: ira.koslow@venicenc.org; Peter Thottam Subject: Aug. 18th mtg : Peter Thottam - resume/application for Dexter's Community Officer position (VNC Board of Officers) I am submitting the attached resume for the below position. I am a local real estate attorney (longtime resident of Mar Vista/Venice) who has spent the bulk of my post-law school career (I graduated from Boalt Law School in 1999) dedicated to Community and progressive causes (zoning ordinance and development disputes, workers' rights, anti-war, impeachment, environmental issues, reform [public education, immigration and healthcare] -- to mention only a few). Bill Rosendahl and others (Venice Beachhead's staff, for example) will vouch for me and my commitment to community issues and improvement. My wife, son and I live in Venice. We are sending our son to Walgrove and are committed to seeing meaningful public safety and other improvements in the district to improve the quality of life for all Venice residents. My skills include financial analysis, fluency in Spanish, business development and web design (see, e.g., my State Assembly campaign website at www.peterthottam.com). Currently, I have a great deal of time available to focus on Council matters and public outreach efforts. I am prepared to give the Council position and its responsibilities the full attention of my time and energy. You can reach me at (310) 497-7255 or via peterthottam@gmail.com if you have any further questions. Otherwise, I look forward to making the candidates' opportunities to make their case on August 18th at 7 pm. Sincerely, Peter Thottam (JD MBA) Venice, California Page 10 of 17 pages Peter Thottam (JD ’99; MBA’06) Los Angeles, CA 90048; www.peterthottam.com; T: (310) 497-7255 • peterthottam@gmail.com EXPERIENCE CONTRACT WORK Los Angeles, CA • General contract real estate and corporate work for various law firms. 11/06-present McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP – Corporate & Transactions Associate Los Angeles, CA • Prepared leases for TESCO retail chain rollout (purchase and sale agreements, ground leases and retail leases). 03/06-11/06 • Represented real estate owners, for-profit and nonprofit developers, institutional investors, high net worth individuals and real estate investment companies in complex real estate transactions, including the acquisition, financing, development, leasing and sale of apartment complexes, condominiums, shopping centers, and mixed-use projects.. • Drafted, reviewed and negotiated easements, loan documents, deeds, bills of sale, assignment and assumption agreements, property management agreements, legal opinions, leases, and entity formation documents including operating agreements, limited partnership agreements and bylaws; review land surveys and title documentation. LRN, The Legal Knowledge Company™Business Development Director Los Angeles, CA • Worked as business development director for Syndicated Legal Research Division and oversaw three employees. 2002-2003 • Coordinated staffing of 16 Fortune 500 corporate research projects with certified legal specialists; edited and finalized projects. O’Melveny & Myers LLP – Corporate Associate San Francisco, CA • Advised on two $50 million financings including one real estate investment trust secondary offering. 2001-2002 • Sucessfully resolved million-dollar contract disputes between domestic distribution agents and international publisher; prepared demand letters, reviewed client contracts, researched applicable UCC Article 9 provisions and bank lockbox arrangements. • Conducted all real estate and financial contract due diligence for legal opinion on $240 million Golf Trust REIT credit restructuring. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati – Corporate Securities Associate Palo Alto, CA • Originated two client relationships; Managed corporate records for Palm, Sun Microsystems, HP and Homestore. 1999-2001 • Collaboratively negotiated 5 M&A transactions; Worked on equity offerings, venture capital financings, and SEC filings. Goldman Sachs & Co. – Analyst New York, NY • Management Controls and Equities divisions - Implemented operational, strategic, and risk analyses. 1993-1995 EDUCATION UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management. Los Angeles, CA M.B.A. (emphasis in Finance and Real Estate) 03/2006 (early graduation) • Leadership: Riordan Fellows Mentor Program volunteer. Ocean Park Community Center Volunteer. AREA Newsletter editor. • Relevant Coursework to date: Urban Land Economics, Real Estate Development, Operations Management, Investments, Finance, Private Equity & Venture Capital; M&A, Restructurings & Corporate Governance; Statistics, and Financial Accounting. UC Berkeley - Boalt Hall School of Law Berkeley, CA J.D., (law degree, graduated in top 30% of Class). 05/1999 • High Honors (top 10%) in 3 classes; Moot Court Competition: Awarded school-wide prestigious Best Brief honor. • Berkeley Technology Law Journal. Leadership: Development Editor (1997-98). Raised $30,000 in 1997-98. Published author. Yale University New Haven, CT B.A., (Majors : (1) Economics & (2) Ethics; Politics & Philosophy). Graduated cum laude with Distinction Honors. 05/1993 ADDITIONAL • Urban Land Institute Young Leader. Regularly attend networking meetings and local real estate conferences. • Interests include film, travel, tennis, hiking and investing. Recent travel experiences include Mexico, Mali & Ethiopia. • PC Applications skilled in: Dreamweaver and Adobe Master CS3, Photoshop, MS Office 2007, Quickbooks, and other software. • Southern California Development Forum – Member; International Council of Shopping Centers – Member; Fluent in Spanish. Page 11 of 17 pages Answers to Board Member Questions Page 12 of 17 pages Arthur Kessel From: ARTHUR KESSLER [mailto:rt4me2@verizon.net] Sent: Tuesday, August 11, 2009 9:03 AM To: board@venicenc.org Subject: self-nomination for VNC Board seat Dear Sir or madam: I attached my resume and wish to self-nominate for the open Board seat. I will be in Grand rapids MI on business and cannot appear before the board on 8/18. I will be back in Venice on 8/25 and will be happy to appear at any other time. Thank you for your consideration. Arthur Kessler Arthur B. Kessler 935 Sunset Avenue Venice, CA 90291 phone 310 314-5533 fax 310 314-5544 cell 310 650-7900 Education: Employment: Far Rockaway High School-Academic Degree Adelphi University-Bachelor of Business Administration New York University School of Law-Bachelor of Laws Member of the New York State Bar 1965-78 Practiced law in the First Judicial District of New York City General corporate practice and family law emphasis 1965-69 Attorney with U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development 1969-73 Assistant Commissioner New York City Dept. of Commerce & Industry and Economic Development Administration. I helped create a department to keep business in NYC by building vest pocket industrial parks. I made presentations to various government officials and neighborhood groups of 60-400 people. I was put in charge of the redevelopment of Yankee Stadium and dealt with print and television media as well as Yankee management, government officials and local planning councils. 1978-92 Chicago Board Options Exchange options and stock trader Managed my own account and supervised other traders 1992-96 Stockbroker-Merrill Lynch Won numerous awards during training and in work situations 1996-97 Stockbroker-Dabney/Resnick 1997-present Licensed Real Estate Agent-California 1997-98 Commercial Real Estate Agent-Diversified Commercial Investments 1998-present F. G. Property Management, Inc., Vice-President 1998-present Regional Director-Global Food Industries, Inc. Marketing and sales responsibility for California, Nevada, Arizona. I developed and implemented marketing and sales strategies. I opened these states for the company by making presentation to administrators and staff often to large groups. In addition, to hospitals, nursing homes and corrections work, I was the first sales person to open new sales to public schools. 2003-present Business Broker-Sunbelt Business Brokers of West Los Angeles. Qualifications: I am intelligent, personable and have a keen sense of humor. Excellent people skills and work ethic. Excellent oral and written communication skills. I managed staff since 1978. I am loyal, a self-starter and a team player. Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel. I would like to serve on the VNC board because I am a homeowner in Venice since 2000 and love the mixed community that Venice is. I believe I can represent the various components that comprise the Venice. I have years of government experience and a legal background. I have a good relationship with Councilman Rosendahl and I will have his ear on issues of importance to VNC and the Venice community. I would like to serve on the Homelessness and vehicular living Ad Hoc committee. Page 13 of 17 pages Answers to Board Member Questions Page 14 of 17 pages Kristopher Valentine Hello, my name is Kristopher Valentine, and I would like to be considered for the open community officer seat. I grew up, graduated college, and built a career in Los Angeles, but I chose Venice to be my home because I wanted to move to a place that inspires creativity, supports small business, respects the environment, and has a sense of community. Venice has gone through countless transformations yet has always maintained its eclectic essence. Its recent prosperity is welcoming, but we must not allow the sterilization of Venice to occur or we won’t know where Marina del Rey ends and Santa Monica begins. Overnight parking, height of fences, and summer concerts are examples of neighborhood concerns, which have lead to emotional debates, and too often discourteous accusations and defiant remarks. We as a community are better than that. How can we expect leaders in Sacramento or Washington to resolve their problems, if we cannot? We all came to Venice for the same reasons, and as Venetians we have more common ground than differences. Working together to solve problems is why I want to be appointed as a community officer. I know this is hard work and I relish in the challenges. I will work on any pressing issues that appear our way. I come with no preconceptions, just a principle in pragmatism. As an officer I would champion the reduction of trash on our beaches and streets. Los Angeles plans to make plastic bags extinct, and we should hold them accountable. Also in our streets are fliers. A goal of mine is to reduce unsolicited fliers and menus on homes and vehicles, and make distributors responsible for the clean up. Time and time again I have worked hard for jobs and earned them not because I was the most seasoned but because I showed passion and drive. I set goals such as running marathons and raising money for juvenile diabetes and I accomplish them. If appointed I will make it my priority to reduce litter, favor small business over chains, encourage solutions to our most pressing issues, and help out the VNC wherever needed. Thank you for your consideration. I appreciate you giving me the time. I am Kristopher Valentine and I want to be a community officer for Venice. Page 15 of 17 pages Kristopher C. Valentine 1520 Venice Blvd Apt. 2, Venice, CA 90291 kristophervalentine@gmail.com 805.341.4577 WORK EXPERIENCE 2008 January – September Post-Production Coordinator “Fear Itself” – NBC/Lionsgate 2007 November – 2008 January Post-Production Coordinator “Hindsight” (Pilot) – Lifetime/Lionsgate 2007 March – September Post-Production Coordinator “The Kill Point” - Spike TV/Lionsgate 2006 August – 2007 March Post-Production Coordinator / Assistant to E.P. “Hidden Palms” - The CW/Lionsgate 2006 Summer, 2007 Summer Teacher Chaminade Middle School 2005 August – December Theatrical Creative Intern DreamWorks SKG 2003 August – November Production Assistant “Alien vs. Predator” – ADI/20th Century Fox 2001 July – December Production Assistant / Writer’s Office Intern “Malcolm in the Middle” – Fox/20th Century Fox EDUCATION 2006 California State University - Northridge Bachelors of Arts, Magna Cum Laude Major: Film Production, Emphasis in Editing Minor: Political Science AWARDS/HONORS Producers Guild of America Member Hollywood Foreign Press Fellow Polonsky Undergraduate Critical Writing Scholarship 1st Place (Argument/Persuasion Essay) & Published in 9th edition of Wings Marc Yobs Memorial Scholarship Conejo Valley Teacher’s Association Scholarship Dean’s List 2001 - 2006 ACTIVITIES Wrote & directed Senior Thesis Project “Chum” California International Marathon in Sacramento, CA Juvenile Diabetes Walk in Oxnard, CA Rock N’ Roll Marathon in San Diego, CA Page 16 of 17 pages Answers to Recent Board Member Questions Page 17 of 17 pages