Edmond Lelo Elected to Second Term as Chair

More than 150 people, including Los Angeles Chief of Police William Bratton, celebrated “The Spirit of Partnerships” at the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles’ 92nd Annual Meeting on June 27 at The California Endowment.

Edmond Lelo, executive vice president and area manager of Wells Fargo Commercial Banking Group in the Greater Los Angeles region, was re-elected chapter chairman, and Peter O’Keefe, David Fuhrman, and Christine Neal were elected vice chairs. Gary Campanella and Jeff Sakaguchi were elected secretary and treasurer, respectively.

The following board members were elected to a three-year term: Wendy Marlett, Chris Brandt, John Packwood, Ellis Stanley, Peter O’Keefe, Edmond Lelo, Jeff Sakaguchi, and Csaba Takach. Christine Neal, Kirk Nelson, Rene Mortensen and Frank Bell were elected to a one-year term.

Special guest Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton talked about the importance of community organizations and individuals working together to solve the city’s problems. Guest speaker Jim Featherstone, general manager of the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department (and previously a member of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), discussed the important relationship between the LAFD and the Red Cross. As a firefighter, he witnessed first-hand how the Red Cross’ assistance makes all the difference to a disaster victim’s recovery and self respect.

Featherstone also accepted the Spirit of Partnership award on behalf of the City for its critical assistance in helping the Red Cross secure a Homeland Security Grant and for assisting the Red Cross with its plan to distribute containers with disaster supplies throughout the city.

Other recipients of the partnership awards included the County of Los Angeles, which partnered with the Red Cross to provide disaster preparedness training to all of its employees; June Loo of the Salvation Army and the Emergency Network of Los Angeles; and the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, a partner with the Red Cross since 1968. Super Estrella 101.7 received the Media Award for working with the Red Cross to raise funds for international disaster victims following the major earthquake in Peru and flooding in Mexico.

Also helping the chapter celebrate its 92nd annual meeting were George Elsey, past president of the national American Red Cross from 1970 to 1983 and an advisor to Presidents Truman and Roosevelt; past Los Angeles chapter CEO James Haigwood; as well as numerous Red Cross chapter executives from throughout Southern California.

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Photo: Los Angeles Chief of Police William Bratton (center) celebrates with Edmond Lelo (left), re-elected chapter chair, and Paul Schulz, chapter CEO, at the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles’ 92nd Annual Meeting.

Tags: annual meeting, board of directors, Edmond Lelo, partnerships