Brandon Ammann is the Director of Services at Trace3. Brandon is responsible for a variety of teams supporting yellowpages.com, the YP mobile app as well as Corporate Productivity services for a 5500 employee enterprise, providing media services to the nation’s small businesses.Prior to YP, Brandon has worked in both startups and large enterprises in the Los Angeles tech scene since 2000. Notable projects included core implementation of the electronic ticketing systems for two Olympic Games, the relaunch of ticketmaster.uk and standing up YP as an independent
company post sale from AT&T. Brandon began his career as a Consultant at Price Waterhouse in the Systems Integration Practice, building data warehouses for large financial institutions. Brandon earned an Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Chicago.
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Michelle Cheang, Board Secretary
Term Expires: July 2021
Dean
Los Angeles Trade-Technical College
Dr. Michelle Cheang is passionate about transforming student learning by supporting a positive school climate, increasing familial and community support, and providing high quality wraparound services. As the Dean of Pathway Innovation and Institutional Effectiveness at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College (LATTC), Michelle currently oversees K-12 partnerships, adult education, noncredit programs, academic support services, and “College to Career” grants. During her tenure at LATTC, she has led a team of over 100 faculty, staff, and directors and a budget of over $22 million. She has experience in developing, securing, and managing multiple federal, state, city, and private grants. Prior to LATTC, Michelle launched a new department focused on developing positive alternative pathways into education and careers for in and out-of-school youth for a nonprofit organization in Los Angeles. She launched three youth centers that provided comprehensive wraparound services to the community including individualized service and academic plans, case management, academic support, enrichment, supportive services, financial literacy, workforce development, soft skill development, and college readiness. Michelle obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego in Biological Anthropology and Critical Gender Studies. She then went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) from California State University, Northridge.
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Emilio Gonzalez, Board Chair
Term Expires: July 2019
Partner
Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP
Emilio Gonzalez is a Partner at the law firm of Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP, specializing in employment litigation and intellectual property litigation. In 2014, Mr. Gonzalez was named one of the top employment lawyers in California by The Daily Journal, a leading statewide legal newspaper. Before becoming a lawyer, Mr. Gonzalez was part of the founding corps of Teach For America in 1990 and spent five years teaching bilingual elementary and middle-school children in South-Central Los Angeles. Mr. Gonzalez holds a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature from Columbia University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Hastings College of Law.
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James Lee
Term Expires: August 2021
Finance & Accounting Manager
Crescenta Valley Water District
James Lee is the Finance & Accounting Manager for the Crescenta Valley Water District, a public water and wastewater utility that serves the communities of La Crescenta, Montrose, and portions of Glendale and La Cañada Flintridge. Prior to public service, James spent his career financing water districts and cities as an underwriter and advisor through revenue bonds, certificates of participation, redevelopment bonds, and private placements. James continues to advise public agencies with respect to their Securities and Exchange Commission and Internal Revenue Service bond compliance needs. James holds a B.A. in Economics-Accounting from Claremont McKenna College and a Master of Public Policy from USC’s Price School of Public Policy.
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Leticia Ochoa
Term Expires: June 2020
Senior Associate
NAC Architecture
Leticia Ochoa is a Senior Associate with NAC Architecture which recently merged with Osborn Architects, where she had been Associate Project Manager for 16 years. Leticia’s emphasis has always been educational and public facilities. Among her many clients, she has worked with school districts, private schools, and charter schools in the funding, planning, design, and construction of facilities throughout Southern California. Leticia has earned a California Charter School Association & Los Angeles Department of Building Safety certificate for completion of classes with an emphasis on charter schools. In addition to her professional responsibilities, she participates regularly in Career Day events and mentors high school seniors preparing for the transition to college. Leticia earned a Bachelor of Architecture from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
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Manuel Romero, Board Treasurer
Term Expires: June 2019
Founder and President
SimpleSend
Manuel Romero is the Founder and President of SimpleSend, a software company dedicated to making communication via e-mail newsletters simple and cost effective. SimpleSend’s clients include the City of Los Angeles, First 5 California, UCLA, USC, and many others. Prior to founding SimpleSend, Manuel created Comová, a Los Angeles based creative services firm focused on the Hispanic Market. While at Comová, Manuel supervised over 100 projects for clients that include Infinity Insurance, Padres Contra El Cáncer, La Curacao, La Opinión, LATV, Ritmo Latino Music Awards, and Univision Music Group. Manuel is also a member of the UCLA Alumni Association, the Latin Business Association, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the American Marketing Association. Manuel holds a B.A. in Latin American Studies from UCLA.
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Todd Sugimoto, Board Vice Chair
Term Expires: June 2021
Managing Director
HFF
Todd Sugimoto is a Managing Director in the Los Angeles office of HFF with over 19 years of experience in commercial real estate finance. He is primarily responsible for the origination and placement of both debt and equity transactions for all property types throughout the western United States. During the course of his career with HFF, Mr. Sugimoto has completed in excess of $4 billion in commercial real estate transactions. Mr. Sugimoto joined the firm in August 1995. Prior to HFF, he was an Associate in a Houston-based appraisal and consulting firm, where he was responsible for valuation and advisory services for all property types throughout the country.