The Leadership Long Beach Institute Class of 2013 began their program year with a well-attended Community Welcome Reception on Monday, August 27 at Rancho Los Alamitos.  Friends, family, elected officials, and community members were all a part of this recognition for the newest class to join the 1000+ network of Leadership Long Beach alumni.

After providing a tour and brief history of Long Beach, Rancho Los Alamitos Executive Director Pamela Seger welcomed the class and guests to the grounds of the Rancho.  Both LB Councilman Gary DeLong (3rd District) and Vice Mayor Robert Garcia, LLBI '03 (1st District) spoke to the class and guests about the importance and significance of the LLB program in informing, teaching and cultivating these emerging leaders to continue doing great things for the city of Long Beach. Arriving a bit later, LB City Councilman James Johnson, LLBI '08 (7th District) spoke about the values and experiences gained through the program and the leadership and involvement expections the city has on this new class of emerging leaders.

LLB Board President James Kruger (LLBI '08) introduced the many VIPs in attendance including former Governor George and Gloria Deukmejian, former LB Mayor Eunice Sato, and Signal Hill Councilman Larry Forester.  In addition, Helene Ansel (LLBI '95) from State Senator Alan Lowenthal, Alex Gurfinkel from Assemblyman Isadore Hall and Connie Sziebl from Supervisor Don Knabe's office were in attendance, plus former LLB Past Presidents (Colleen Bentley LLBI '93, Minnie Douglas LLBI '94, Dennis Smith LLBI '99, CJ Harmatz LLBI '01, Carolyn Smith Watts LLBI'01, Tom Farrand LLBI '08) and current board members.  Rich Archbold handled the introductions of the current class while and the Class of 2012 came forward and presented writing journals to the class as a gift for them to write and remember their experiences for the upcoming year.

The Community Welcome Reception ended with LLB partners having the opportunity to show their belief in the program and provide scholarships to members of the Class of 2013. John Glaza LLBI '06, interim Executive Director of the Arts Council for Long Beach, presented the scholarship to Gabriela Martinez of MOLAA; Tamika Lang of The Boeing Company presented their scholarship to Jennifer Blackwell-Trotter of the LA Community Development Foundation; and Art Levine EQS F'95 and LLBI '03, a board member of the LB Police Foundation, announced the board's awarding a scholarship to Sergeant Tyae Burford. LLB thanks and appreciates the organizations and companies that demonstrate the vision to the principled leadership program to scholarships and awarding them deserving individuals.