LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced that she has appointed Commissioners to the Board of Public Works who will serve all of Los Angeles by ensuring that city services to clean, maintain and improve communities are effectively delivered to neighborhoods. These appointments come as Mayor Bass continues urgent preparations for major world events coming to Los Angeles, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Today, Mayor Bass signed an executive directive to help City departments plan to complete projects like better streets, more parks and new bridges more efficiently and cheaper to serve the people of Los Angeles for generations to come.
“The priority of the Commission must be improving and upgrading the delivery of city services to Angelenos and businesses with a focus on customer service and outcomes ahead of upcoming major world events,” said Mayor Bass. “These Commissioner appointees have committed their lives to serving the people of Los Angeles, and I believe that their collective expertise will bolster our commitment to cleaner, safer streets, better maintained infrastructure and more vibrant parks and public spaces. I want to thank the outgoing Commissioners Aura Garcia, Teresa Villegas, Susana Reyes and Dr. Mike Davis for their outstanding service over many years to the nearly 4 million people who call our city home."
Mayor Bass has made the following appointments to the Board of Public Works:
Jenny Chavez has served the people of Los Angeles in the communities of San Pedro, Watts, Harbor City, Wilmington during her time working in City Hall. Ms. Chavez managed numerous infrastructure projects in the area with close coordination of community stakeholders and based on resident and business input. Recently, Ms. Chavez held a senior executive role at the LA Tourism and Convention Board where she coordinated coalitions to boost local tourism, create jobs and grow the local economy. Ms. Chavez will make sure that businesses within the community are accessing necessary city services to thrive in the local economy.
John Grant brings decades of experience fighting for a better future for the working people of Los Angeles. Most recently, he served as the President of a union, where he collaborated to secure more than 100 contracts for more than 30,000 workers. He brings experience representing the interests of a broad set of stakeholders, managing an annual operating budget of over more than $25 million and leading more than 125 staff members. As Public Works Commissioner, he will harness this experience as an advocate, collaborator and leader to ensure that the City’s Public Works Departments are delivering for the people of Los Angeles day in and day out.
Steve Kang is a fierce advocate for the Korean and Asian American Communities in Los Angeles, Mr. Kang has previously served in leadership roles of organizations dedicated to empowering the Angelenos of Korean descent and ensuring that the Korean American communities have a seat at the table. Mr. Kang most recently served as Director of External Affairs for the Koreatown Youth and Community Center (KYCC) where he provided direct social services throughout the City of Los Angeles ranging from youth services, mental health counseling, affordable housing, financial literacy, tree planting, graffiti abatement, drug treatments, and more. Mr. Kang will work tirelessly to make sure that neighborhoods can successfully access city services to make communities safer, cleaner and more welcoming for residents, businesses and visitors alike.
Faith I. Mitchell is a recently-retired Administrative Law Judge from the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board. Prior to joining the Board in 2008, Ms. Mitchell served as a mediator and arbitrator engaged in helping parties resolve litigation in public contract, eminent domain and tort liability disputes. As a civil litigator in the public and private sectors, she has represented Caltrans and other public entities in matters related to contracts, tort liability, infrastructure projects and more. Ms. Mitchell is a longtime resident of South Los Angeles with previous service to the City as a member of the Area Planning Commission for South Los Angeles (2007-2014). She served as a member of Friends 4 Expo Transit Steering Committee, a grassroots organization of volunteers, advocating for the construction of the Expo Line from downtown Los Angeles to the beach of Santa Monica. She is keenly aware of the power and potential of residents to effectively voice their needs to elected and appointed officials. A respected community advocate, she will remain deeply engaged in the community to ensure that quality city services are delivered to Angelenos.
Mr. Grant was confirmed by the City Council in September 2024. Commission appointments for Ms. Chavez, Mr. Kang and Ms. Mitchell will be considered by the City Council’s Public Works Committee and the full City Council.
Vahid Khorsand, Board of Public Works Commissioner and Valley Advisor to Mayor Bass, helps ensure that San Fernando Valley communities have a strong voice and advocate at City Hall. Among his achievements as Public Works Commissioner, he spearheaded a task force within the Board of Public Works Office of Accounting that successfully reduced the processing time for Office of Community Beautification vendor invoices by 50% within 12 months of its launch. He also leads the Mayor's Office Quarterly Infrastructure Series, which offers neighborhood council leaders valuable updates from public works bureaus and creates a platform for collaboration on area-specific issues. This initiative fosters open communication and strengthens partnerships to address community needs effectively. Vahid is a long time valley leader and small business owner and since 2007 has served on the boards of 13 community based organizations, and five municipal stakeholder bodies prior to serving on the Board of Public Works. Mr. Khorsand continues his appointment following his reapproval by Council in June 2022.
Outgoing Commissioners leave lasting and outstanding contributions to the people of Los Angeles. Ms. Aura Garcia established workforce development programs that directly contributed to improving the quality of life for Angelenos while providing steadfast leadership and stability through numerous challenges. Ms. Teresa Villegas secured permanent funding for regionwide water quality investments and championed green infrastructure projects. Dr. Mike Davis promoted Community Level Contracting and ensured that bureau hiring reflected diversity, equity and inclusion principles. Ms. Susana Reyes actively promoted sustainability initiatives focused on waste reduction, recovery programs, and the development of wastewater reclamation and recycling infrastructure.