John A. Pérez
John A. Pérez is Speaker Emeritus of the California Assembly, former Chair of the University of California Board of Regents and recently served as Vice President of the Port of Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners.
As Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Pérez had direct responsibility for 1300 employees and a $156 million budget, and ultimate responsibility for passing the state budget, which, during Mr. Pérez’s tenure, reached $179 billion. The California Legislature’s responsible budgeting from 2010-2014, based on the blueprint established by Mr. Pérez, helped California grow from the world’s seventh largest economy to the world’s fourth. In response to the Great Recession, Mr. Pérez crafted the California Jobs Budget¸ which included a $10 billion private-sector job creation fund. Mr. Pérez also authored the ballot initiative creating California’s Rainy-Day Fund and authored the Legislation that led to California's landmark Middle Class Scholarship program, which has benefitted more than 350,000 California students at UC and CSU.
Mr. Perez served as Assembly Speaker during the 2013 Rim Fire and led efforts to improve the state's wildfire preparation, response, and recovery systems. A longtime labor leader, Mr. Perez also authored and supported several pieces of legislation to ensure firefighters had the tools they need along with appropriate compensation, retirement and benefits for their survivors. As Chair of the UC Board of Regents, Mr. Pérez oversaw a budget of $41.6 billion and a workforce of 236,000 faculty and staff. He has focused on ensuring UC provides an elite education without elitist barriers and ensuring the cost of education at UC be affordable, equitable, and predictable.
He also helped create the University Working Group on Innovation Transfer & Entrepreneurship, which is tasked with optimizing moving UC discoveries from the laboratory to the marketplace. Coming from a Labor background, Mr. Pérez helped UC settle contract disputes that had been unresolved for years.
Mr. Pérez grew up in the working-class communities of El Sereno and Highland Park, California. Prior to his election to the Assembly, Mr. Pérez served on a variety Boards and Commissions including the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency, the California League of Conservation Voters, and the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation.
Yolanda Regalado
Yolanda Regalado was born and raised in San Pedro CA, and has been driven by a spirit of giving back. Coming from a family deeply rooted in the ethos of First Responders, I followed suit by joining the esteemed ranks of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The LASD is the largest Sheriff’s Department and the third largest local police agency in the United States. During my tenure, I served in various units, including Narcotics, Gang, and Patrol. I distinguished myself as a trailblazer, as part of the select group of Deputies who pioneered the groundbreaking Inmate Answering Service at Sybil Brand Institute Jail. My commitment to excellence led me to be stationed at Mens Central Jail, Norwalk Station, Lomita Station, East LA Station, where I made impactful contributions both within the force and the community.
My passion for service extended beyond my law enforcement career. Recognizing the importance of community involvement, I played a pivotal role in establishing the Los Angeles County Volunteer Program. Even after retiring due to an on-duty injury, my entrepreneurial spirit remained undeterred.
I founded 10-8 Designs, a thriving Embroidery and Promotional products business, showcasing resilience and adaptability.
Not content with just one venture, My vision and determination led me to establish SIRENS JAVA & TEA LLC in 2014, an upscale Artisan coffee house dedicated to First Responders, Military personnel, and Union members. This unique establishment quickly gained recognition, earning the prestigious title of the coffee house for the US Navy in Los Angeles. My entrepreneurial acumen was further acknowledged in 2017 when I received the Women of Distinction Award for the 70th State Assembly District and Small Business Owner of the Year.
My commitment to my community is exemplified by my active involvement in various organizations and committees. I currently serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce, LA Waterfront and Tourism, Events & Marketing, Pubic Access Funding, and the Taste of San Pedro Committees.
Furthermore, I hold the esteemed position of Executive Chair of the San Pedro Property Business Improvement District (PBID), where I continue to champion initiatives for the betterment of the downtown San Pedro Historic District.
In 2018, I and my husband Ray Regalado, expanded our investment in the downtown San Pedro Historic District, becoming Commercial Property Owners. Our commitment to revitalizing the area speaks volumes about their dedication to community development.
In 2023, Citizen Meritorious Metal of Honor from the Los Angeles Port Police. Not content with resting on my laurels, my entrepreneurial spirit continues to drive me forward. In 2024, I launched my second sustainability coffee company, SIRENS BY THE SEA INC, located in the Port of Los Angeles.
In 2024 I was instrumental in working with CD15 in establishing First Responder Square Public Safety Square dedication on the corner of 7th & Mesa in downtown San Pedro.
In 2024 I was honored to be awarded LAFD Honorary Chief for South bureau. Through my unwavering dedication and tireless efforts, I have left an indelible mark on the fabric of Los Angeles County and City, embodying the values of service, leadership, and innovation.
- Former Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff
- Owner of 10-8 Designs Promotional Product Company.
- Past Vice President of Sister Cities of Long Beach Inc.
- Executive Board member of San Pedro Chamber of Commerce
- President of the San Pedro Property Owners Alliance Business
- Executive Director of the San Pedro PBID Historic District
- Owner CEO of Sirens Java & Tea LLC
- Honorary LAFD Chief
- Owner CEO of Sirens by the Sea Inc
- Citizen Meritorious Metal of Honor
- Woman of Distinction-Assembly District 70
- Woman of the Year-City of Los Angeles
- Woman of Impact Award- CD15
- Los Angeles Area Planning Commission- Commissioner
Dr. Jerry P. Abraham, MD, MOH, CMQ
Dr. Jerry P. Abraham, MD, MPH, CMQ is a Los Angeles–based Family & Community Medicine Physician, Injury Epidemiologist, Public Health leader, and Community Advocate dedicated to advancing Health Equity and Public Safety. He serves as Director of Public Health, Integration, Street Medicine & Workforce Development at Kedren Community Health Center, an Acute Psychiatric Hospital APH & Federally-Qualified Health Center FQHC in South LA, where he leads innovative programs serving underserved and underrepresented communities across Los Angeles, including People Experiencing Homelessness PEH, Serious Mental Illness SMI, Substance Use & Addiction SUD, Justice-Involved, HIV, among others.
Dr. Abraham holds academic appointments at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Psychiatry & Family Medicine and at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and the USC Keck School of Medicine, and is actively engaged in training the next generation of Physicians and Health Professionals. He is a recognized leader in Organized Medicine, currently serving as Chair of the American Medical Association AMA Council on Constitution and Bylaws CCB and as Trustee of the California Medical Association CMA, in addition to serving as Past President of Los Angeles County Medical Association LACMA.
A longtime advocate for community health, emergency preparedness, and health equity, Dr. Abraham brings a frontline clinical perspective and deep commitment to service in his role as Fire Commissioner for the City of Los Angeles.
José Cornejo
José Cornejo’s journey is defined by hard work, resilience, and a deep commitment to community. Raised in rural California as the son of Mexican immigrants, he learned the value of perseverance early delivering newspapers at 10 and as a farm worker in the fields by age 12.
A graduate of CSU Sacramento with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Economics, José built his career in public service, rising from a junior legislative staffer to Chief of Staff.
He later founded a successful public affairs firm, representing business associations and nonprofits across Southern California and helping navigate complex local and state policy. Known for building coalitions and driving results, José has become a trusted voice in public policy and advocacy.
At his core, José is a family man, guided by the same values he now passes on to his children, and driven by a lifelong commitment to service, community, and opportunity.
José and his wife, Lupita, are raising their two children in the Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley.
Beth Garfield
Beth Garfield graduated with distinction from Stanford University and attended the University of Michigan Law School. At Stanford, Beth was Co-President of the Associated Students and one of the founders of the Center for Research on Women, now the Clayman Institute for Gender Research.
She moved to Los Angeles after graduating from law school. She was the Chief of the Legal Division and Director of the Healthcare and White-Collar Divisions at a public sector union representing county workers. She later co-founded a law firm specializing in the representation of unions in both the public and private sectors where she worked for several decades.
Beth was also an elected member of the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees. During a dire financial crisis, she was elected President of the Board and led a massive reorganization of the district. This experience taught Beth how important collaboration among all interest groups is to achieve change.
Beth’s introduction to the Los Angeles Fire Department was in 2012 when she was hired to represent the United Firefights of Los Angeles (UFLAC) and serve as the union’s chief negotiator. She represented UFLAC for several years and negotiated three collective bargaining agreements. During this time, she learned a great deal about the Fire department and how to find resolution to issues that impact both the department and the union.
After retiring, she joined the Board of Directors of A Community of Friends. ACOF is an organization that builds permanent supportive housing for people who are unhoused and suffer from mental illness.
Beth is also the Senior Co-Director of Minds Matter Southern California, which is a non-profit organization that provides a three-year program that assists high-achieving, low-income high school students in applying to and preparing for college.
She also serves on the Advisory Council of the Clayman Institute for Gender Research at Stanford, which is the organization that she helped found when she was a student.
Beth lives in Windsor Square with her husband, Wally Knox. Wally was a union lawyer and an elected member of the California Assembly. Beth and Wally recently celebrated their 46th anniversary! They have two incredible daughters, Aviva and Tamara, and one very energetic and delightful grandson named Wilder.