BOARD POSITION

# OF SEATS

ELECTED OR APPOINTED?

QUALIFICATIONS TO
RUN FOR THE SEAT

QUALIFICATIONS TO
VOTE FOR THE SEAT

Yonah Hong

As a current board member of the Wilshire Center-Koreatown Neighborhood Council, I feel honored to be working and serving in this awesome community. I have tremendously enjoyed working with the other members in making our community a better place to live, work and play and I would like to continue my efforts.

Having worked at both the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and the former Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (CRA/LA), I believe that I have the knowledge and the experience in bringing the community together in working in partnership with the local government agencies and schools to truly engage the stakeholders to make a difference and impact in the decision making process.

I truly love this community and I would greatly appreciate your vote. I look forward to working with all of you.

Thank you very much! 🙂

Yonah Hong

CANDIDATES FILED:

Thomas Kim

As someone who moved to Koreatown in 1973 and recently moved back into the area with my partner and two young children, I’m interested in working with the community to enact positive change.

Shawn Kuk

As a concerned stakeholder of the communities that lie within the boundaries of the WCKNC, and as a professional in the field of urban planning, I am convinced that our communities currently stand at a crossroads in terms of how to address our land use and community development needs and concerns. The need to engage our elected officials and the various city agencies that so greatly impact the quality of the built environment in which we live out our lives daily, and the importance of developing an informed public with the capacity to responsibly participate in the city’s decision making processes appear to be more urgent than ever. My efforts as a member of the WCKNC, if elected, will be to focus on these needs and contribute toward building a NC that can facilitate the process of building a more informed and engaged Koreatown constituency.

Richard Kim

The Wilshire Center Koreatown Neighborhood Council (WCKNC) district is one of the most densely populated and thriving neighborhoods in the Los Angeles. At the same time, it is also one of the most diverse communities within Los Angeles with people from all over the globe. I have had the privilege to serve as the Executive Vice President of WCKNC during this past term and I submit my candidacy again to continue WCKNC’s efforts to promote public safety, neighborhood beautification, and economic development. As a board member, I will help accomplish these goals with my fellow board members by encouraging civic participation among all stake holders, including various associations and community based organizations within the WCKNC district. Moreover, I will strive to work closely with all elected representatives within the district as well as city agencies in facilitating these objectives.

Manuel Flores

As a current volunteer, community organizer, and events coordinator at Unification of Disabled Latin Americans (UDLA), I would like to join the Wilshire Center – Korea town Neighborhood Council to represent the physically challenged individuals of our neighborhood. This opportunity would give us a chance to give our point of view on community activities, address community topics, and provide proactive ideas to unify our diverse neighborhood.UDLA is a non-profit organization that helps the underserved disabled individuals of our community by offering them free services and special programs that improve their quality of life. In addition, we organize activities and community events that are beneficial to our community. Above all, UDLA’s main goal, dedication, and commitment are to improve the quality of life for these individuals and to help them to recover their self-esteem and become productive members of society.

Peter Paik

CANDIDATES FILED:

Hanna Yoon

As a current WCKNC representative working in Wilshire Center/Koreatown, I hope to join the board again so I can continue trying to enhance business opportunities and residential safety in the area. I also want to increase opportunities for WCKNC stakeholders to be engaged and vested in their neighborhood and improve how our meetings are run.

I am an attorney and Managing Director for Jamison Services, Inc., a commercial real estate company. I am responsible for overseeing Jamison’s development projects including initial feasibility studies, acquisition, entitlements, and project management. Prior to joining Jamison, I worked and volunteered with various nonprofit organizations in the LA area, including the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, and Public Counsel. I am actively involved in the community, and am President of the Korean American Democratic Committee (KADC) and fellow with the Network for Korean American Leaders (NetKAL).

Steven Park

Ik Cho WITHDRAWN

Celine Park

Serving as the Secretary of WCKNC has been one of the most rewarding experiences. I hope to not only carry out the defined functions of the position, but to act as a liaison between the council and business owners, to serve as a bridge in building and transforming safer and better environments. I completed my BA from UCLA and a Masters Degree from Texas A&M and Columbia University. My background has provided me with a great passion to bring critical understanding to the problems we currently face. I worked for the New York Board of Education and Ventura County Community College District, overseeing 30 schools across LA County. I worked as a computer consultant for Columbia and the United Nations, developing tutorial programs on employee training in public administration reform and public financial management. If elected, I will ensure that we provide a voice for all members of the community.

Yeonhwa Nicole Chang

As a current WCKNC representative working in Wilshire Center-Koreatown, I hope to join the board again so I can continue working with my neighbors and communities for making better business friendly environment and residential safety in the area.

I joined the neighborhood council in 2010 to advocate directly for real change in our communities. Over those two years I’ve served on the outreach committee and beautification committee. I’ve given my time for many other events that WCKNC has been involved in. Also I worked with many other community groups such as Unification Disabled Latinos Association (UDLA), Los Angeles Area Mongolian Association (LAMA) and local government agency such as Los Angeles Police Department Olympic Station.

I was always looking for direct ways to make a difference in our communities on the issues they care about most: crime, roads and streets, gangs and the economy.

Shalom Kim

I am running for WCKNC Representative because I want represent the students and families that attend our school in the Wilshire Center-Koreatown. As a teacher who worked for three years in the neighborhood, I can represent the families and express their needs. I participate in events that involve parents, guardians and students where I can listen and share ideas. My two main priorities are maintaining public safety and creating safe learning environment for the students to become future leaders of this neighborhood.

Alex Cha

I am currently an executive board member of WCKNC. I previously served as the treasurer of Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council. This community is one of the most vibrant communities in the City of Los Angeles and I am very interested in making our community a safer and better place to live and work.

I am an attorney in Koreatown, having had my law office for more than 10 years. I also serve as a commissioner for the City of Los Angeles as a board member of Rent Adjustment Commission.

CANDIDATES FILED:

Aura Vasquez

I am running for WCKNC Representative because I want to help enact positive changes for our vibrant and thriving community. My goal is to work with residents, community groups, and business owners to improve our neighborhood’s conditions. Living and working here for the past few years, I understand what matters to my neighbors and me: reducing litter, improving public safety, and building community involvement.

As a political strategist and community organizer for the Sierra Club, I work daily on issues such as public safety, immigrant rights and the environment. And promote citizen involvement in government. If elected, I will bring the same passion, experience and determination that I bring to my job. I will be your sounding board and your guiding force, and support our community.

Mi meta es porsperar nuestra comunidad: reduccir la basura, aumentar la seguridad pública y la participación de la comunidad.

CANDIDATES FILED:

Jane Oak

I am currently the President of the Korean American Bar Association of Southern California. I have been on the KABA Board for over 7 years, and I served on the HOA Board of my condo in 2011. I have been practicing immigration and real estate law in Koreatown for over 12 years now. I was very active in the Redistricting public hearings and I have found myself very interested in City matters. I am confident that I can make positive impact in my neighborhood council by serving on the WCKNC Board.

Monkhzul Damdinbazar

Has been a resident of Korea Town for the past ten years and has served on many community groups during that time. Presently and for the past six years I have served and am serving as President LAMA, Board Director MACC, and Chairperson APEX.

I am a graduate of California State Northridge with a Business Science degree in Finance. My involvement with our community organizations include liaison between communities, organization of events, community and after school programs, organizing international business and government representative visits.

Representing the community and individuals is my passion and vocation. Should I be elected as a council member I shall promote our community unification, culture and heritage, business development, job creation, housing conditions and the safety of the environment we live in. As a rapidly growing community it is important that we represent ourselves as true leaders and creators of stable self-sustaining communities with a “can do” philosophy.

CANDIDATES FILED:

Gary Benjamin

I am running for Wilshire Center-Koreatown Sub-District 2 representative to ensure that services are delivered to the community and to beautify the neighborhood. I am especially interested in organizing community cleanup events, monitoring urban design and development in the area, and promoting the greening of Koreatown.As a second-year Master’s student in urban planning at UCLA and an intern with the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, I can offer the Council in-depth knowledge of planning-related issues and an intimate understanding of the Department and neighborhood council system.

I am energetic and eager to serve the community and thank you for your vote!

CANDIDATES FILED:

Justin Kim

I have been a board member of the WCKNC for the past two years.

I am the Chair of the Public Safety Committee and serve on the Land Use and Planning Committee also.

I would like to serve another term as I feel that my skills and experience can be beneficial to serving the community in the future.

CANDIDATES FILED:

Michael Russell

Born and raised in Los Angeles, I’m a small business owner and a community activist. I have been involved in community work since 1995 when I began participating in beautification, cleanup and tree planting events in partnership with organizations such as the CRA, KYCC, WCBIC, the Chamber of Commerce and Tree People. I believe strongly in the effectiveness of local government and I’m involved in many aspects neighborhood life. As the past Co-Chair of the LAPD Olympic Station Community Police Advisory Board (C-PAB), I worked on public safety, quality of life and traffic issues every month. As a Board Memeber of the Wilshire Center/Koreatown Neighborhood Council for the past two and half years I have addressed a wide variety land use and planning issues on a weekly basis. I strongly hope you will consider voting for me.

Thank you,
Michael Russell