Tuesday, December 17, 2002 10:14 PM
The results of our recent election are now official. Four new members have been elected to the 12-member board, joining two current directors who have been re-elected as voters also approved an overhaul of the club’s bylaws, according to Election Commissioner Jim Foy.
Gary Gentile is a business writer at the Associated Press, covering entertainment, aerospace and energy issues.
The ballots were counted at the club offices Nov. 18, Newly elected for a two-year term beginning Jan. 2003. are Gary Gentile, Michael Collins, Roy Ulrich and Eleodoro Z. “Leo” Ventocilla. In addition, current board members Karen Ocamb and Ted Johnson, who is also club Secretary, were re-elected. Voters also overwhelmingly approved a new set of bylaws, which will be in place when the LAPC converts to non-profit sta- tus, expected sometime in 2003. The changes include expanding the board from 12 directors to 14 members; adding a new mem- bership category of “member emeritus” for members no longer working as journalists; and adding a non-discrimination clause.
The new and returning board members officially begin their terms at the Monday, Jan. 21 board meeting, where new officers for the year will also be elected.
Collins, who writes The Collins Connection for The 8-Ball, is an investigative journalist whose stories have appeared in L.A. Weekly, Los Angeles magazine and elsewhere.
Ulrich is a journalist and civil rights attorney, who has been an important force in the club’s efforts to open public records and meetings through its Sunshine Coalition.
Ventocilla is an international journalist (from Peru) who also has been a news producer, photographer and copy editor.
Johnson is a national writer for TV Guide who was appoint- ed to the board in 2001. Ocamb, a journalist for prominent gay and lesbian publications, has been a leader of the Sunshine Coalition.
All of the winning candidates were on the slate of directors endorsed by the current board. Members chose six directors from a field of ten candidates. Gentile garnered 69 votes, the most of any candidate, followed by Collins (68), Johnson (65), Ocamb (58), Ulrich (51) and VentOcilla (46). All were elected.
The other candidates were Norma Zager, ; Benoit Claire, , Matt Welch and Joe Shea. The new board will be seated at the meeting on January 20, 2003.
Foy, who served as election commissioner, chose not to run for a new term. Others departing the board are Mardi Rustam, after serving the maximum two terms; Brad Pye Jr.; and Jose Luis Fernandez.
