ICFA - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• City Council

Al Rios was sworn in as a City Council Member on April 11, 2017, to serve his first four-year term.Vice Mayor Rios is excited and grateful for the opportunity to serve the South Gate residents. For seventeen years, Vice Mayor Rios has been an educational leader who has promoted higher education in South Gate and surrounding communities as Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Political Science at ELAC, South Gate Educational Center. He has fought to increase course offerings, student services and led the effort to establish a bus shuttle service from South Gate campus to ELAC main campus. Prior to his career at the local community college, Council Member Rios has worked with several non-profit organizations in various leadership capacities. Vice Mayor Rios has lived in South Gate for the last 20 years. All of his children grew up here and attended public schools in South Gate or surrounding communities.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Member of the City Council

Daniel "Danny" Damian was elected to the Baldwin Park City Council in November 2020. He was raised with a strong work ethic, leadership, and Volunteerism. He has led the efforts and has volunteered for several community projects such as the Annual Christmas Toy Drive, Business People 4 Breast Cancer for City of Hope, Giving Thanks Giving Back Annual Turkey Drive feeding families in need, Baldwin Park Santa Clothes Program, The Back to School Backpack Giveaway, LA Voice fighting for Human and Civil Rights, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Job Titles:

• Executive Director
• Member of the Board of Directors
• Secretary for the City Council

Debbie Smith began her career working as a secretary for the City Council in the City of Burbank. Since then she has served in an administrative capacity for the Independent Cities Association (ICA), the Independent Cities Risk Management Authority (ICRMA) and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG). In her role as Executive Director for ICFA she formulates policy recommendations, manages all meetings by preparing agendas, analytical staff reports and minutes. She oversees the ICFA's financing teams, facilitates the bond offerings, and manages all marketing efforts for the organization.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors

Eddie Martinez was elected to the Huntington Park City Council in March 2020.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors

Councilwoman Emma Sharif was elected Mayor of the City of Compton in June 2021. She has previously served as representative for the 4th District of the City of Compton where she supported many projects, including implementing the Collaborative Court in the Compton Courthouse, addressing concerns of homelessness and human trafficking in local and surrounding areas, and coordinating the redevelopment and renovation of South Park to include updated amenities. Given her passion for education and public service, Emma has worked in the community for more than 20 years as a public-school teacher and as a member of the Compton Unified School District (CUSD) Board of Trustees where she has served as President, Vice President, Clerk, and Legislative Representative. Emma holds membership with the following organizations: National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), National Women's Political Caucus (NWPC), Martin Luther King Jr. Democratic Club, New Frontier Democratic Club (NFDC), and Progressive Democratic Club. She also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science/Sociology; and a Masters Degree in Public Administration. As Mayor of the City of Compton, Emma is committed to serving as a voice for the community. She is dedicated to promoting equality for Compton residents, improving community amenities, and advocating for government transparency and student success.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Treasurer
• Vice President

First elected in 2005. Councilmember Hurtado served the South Gate community in various capacities, including 12 years as Councilmember/Mayor, 5 years as Planning Commissioner, President/Board-Member Independent Cities Finance Authority, President/Board-Member Gateway Cities Council of Governments, and Co-Chair I-710 Project Committee. For his leadership, Councilmember Hurtado has received numerous Certificates of Recognition from Local, Country, State, and Federal Officials. Councilmember Hurtado was engaged in keeping South Gate from bankruptcy during the recession, helped bring in the two major shopping centers, helped establish the Neighborhood Watch Programs, helped bring improvements to South Gate parks, brought to Tweedy Mile the Tree-Lights that brighten up the City's business district at night, and many other accomplishments.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• President
• Treasurer
• Vice President

Prior to serving on City Council, Solache was elected to the Lynwood Board of Education in Nov. 2003, making history as the youngest Latino board member of Lynwood Unified School District. He was re-elected in 2007 and in 2011, serving as Vice President for the board during his third term in office. The Board of Education represents over 15,000 students, over 600 teachers, and over 750 service employees. He has also served as Board President three times, each lasting a year. As an alumnus of the Lynwood K-12 educational system, Solache's first-hand experience allows him to identify the district needs and participate in the process of providing a quality education that prepares students for college and career. In 2013, he ran for Lynwood City Council and was elected. Solache graduated from California State University - Dominguez Hills with a bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies with an option in Spanish. Solache has been a leader in public service since an early age. While completing his degree at CSU Dominguez Hills, he served as Student Body President for two terms, followed by winning a statewide election to chair the largest student-run organization - the California State Student Association (CSSA). As chairman of CSSA, he served and protected access and affordability to a quality public higher education for the under-served communities in California. Solache is currently pursuing a Masters of Arts degree at the University of Southern California, while also serving as the Director of Community and Government Relations for a local non-profit organization.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors

Job Titles:

• President

Mike McCormick, President of the ICFA board, is appreciative of Mrs. Ballin's work on the board. "She is a valuable addition to our board, and we are fortunate to have someone who is so dedicated to ICFA's mission and values."

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, all meetings of the Executive Committee shall be noticed and held in strict compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code Section 54950 et seq.), as amended and then in effect.

Job Titles:

• President
• Board Member Feature

Sylvia Ballin was elected to serve on the San Fernando City Council on March 8, 2011. She served as Mayor there from March 2014-2015. She was re-elected on March 2015 to serve another four-year term, and was selected by her peers to serve as Vice-Mayor for 2015-2016. Prior to serving on the council, she served as a City of San Fernando Transportation & Safety Commissioner from 2009-2011. In 2007, Mrs. Ballin was appointed by the mayor to represent the City of San Fernando on the Metropolitan Water District Board of Directors. Uniquely, prior to becoming a Metropolitan Water District board member, she was an employee there. She retired in 2007 from her position as a Principal Administrative Analyst in the Facilities Management division, after 21 years of service. Mrs. Ballin also served as President of two Metropolitan employee organizations: The Woman's Association for Equal Opportunity and the Hispanic Association. In addition, she served as Vice President of the Native American Alaska Native Employees Association, and Vice President of AFSCME Local 1902, Group 12. She is currently a board member of the California Latino Water Coalition and Chair of the California Latino Water Coalition Foundation. Sylvia Ballin has served on the board for the Independent Cities Finance Authority since 2013. She is proud to have attended every meeting since her appointment. Her commitment to ICFA has been fueled by her desire to help improve disadvantaged communities. "This is one board I really enjoy," commented Ballin. "Everyone is focused on the same goal, which is to offer opportunities for affordable housing, improve living conditions for negatively impacted communities, and improve the quality of life for many mobile home parks." Mayor Sylvia Ballin is serving her third term on the San Fernando City Council (November 2018 - November 2022), first elected in 2011, again in 2015, and most recently in 2018. Councilmember Ballin previously served as Mayor from March 2014 to March 2015 and March 2017 to December 2018, Vice-Mayor from March 2015 to March 2016 and December 2018 to December 2019, and as a member of the City's Transportation and Safety Commission from 2009-2011. Sylvia has a long history of service in the San Fernando community. Prior to being elected to the City Council, she was appointed by the Mayor in 2007 as the City's representative to the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) Board of Directors. Interestingly, before becoming a MWD board member, she was an employee. She retired in 2007 from her position as a principal administrative analyst, in the Facilities Management section, after 21 years of service. Sylvia also served as past president of several Metropolitan employee organizations, including The Woman's Association for Equal Opportunity and the Hispanic Association, past vice president of the Native American Alaska Native Employees Association, and past vice president of AFSCME Local 1902, Group 12. She is a board member for the California Latino Water Coalition and is Chair of the California Latino Water Coalition Foundation. Sylvia graduated from the University of La Verne with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.

Job Titles:

• Leader