Christine Essel
Encyclopedia
Christine "Chris" Essel is the Chief Executive Officer of the Community Redevelopment Agency, Los Angeles and the former Senior Vice President
at Paramount Pictures
. She was a candidate in the December 8, 2009 general election
for Los Angeles City Council
District 2.
resident, she is a graduate of Valley public schools including Shirley Ave. Elementary, Sutter Jr. High, and Chatsworth High School
. Essel attended Cal State Northridge
and finished her education with a Bachelor of Business Administration
degree.
At Paramount, she oversaw the creation of hundreds of jobs as she worked to rebuild the dilapidated Paramount lot into a state-of-the-art production facility. Essel also created mentoring, internship, and environmental programs at Paramount.
as an appointed commissioner on numerous boards; currently, she is the Vice Chair of the California Workforce Investment Board
and from 1999 to 2007, she was chair of the California Film Commission
where she is still a board member.
In 1992, she was appointed to the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board by Los Angeles Mayor
Tom Bradley
and was reappointed by the succeeding mayor, Richard Riordan
. After being elected commission chairwoman, she led the effort to turn around Hollywood Boulevard
to make it a safe and attractive destination for tourists and L.A. residents. Essel also led efforts to develop what became the Agency’s stringent green building
guidelines.
She also served on Tom Bradley’s Hollywood Mobility Action Committees. Most recently, she served as a Los Angeles World Airports
Commissioner, but resigned from the post to run for the Los Angeles City Council.
decided to allow a rock promoter to hold events at the John Anson Ford Theater, Chris created the Hollywood Terrace Homeowners and worked successfully with Los Angeles County and Los Angeles Police Department to stop the events and return the theater to its appropriate status as an acoustic-only venue.
seat, most recently held by Los Angeles City Controller
Wendy Greuel
. Essel's candidacy was endorsed by Greuel, former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan
, City Attorney
Carmen Trutanich, State Senator
Fran Pavley
, the majority of the Los Angeles City Council
as well as the 16 IATSE
west coast studio locals, AFSCME
DC 36, Los Angeles Fire Department
Chief Officers Association and most of Southern California's building trades locals. Essel was also endorsed by the Los Angeles Times
.
She placed 2nd in the September 22nd, 2009 Primary election (a field of 10 which included Los Angeles Unified School District
Boardmember Tamar Galatzan) to reach a December runoff election against then-Assemblyman Paul Krekorian
. Krekorian won the election, which was bitterly contested.
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
at Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
. She was a candidate in the December 8, 2009 general election
General election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
for Los Angeles City Council
Los Angeles City Council
The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles.The Council is composed of fifteen members elected from single-member districts for four-year terms. The president of the council and the president pro tempore are chosen by the Council at the first regular meeting after...
District 2.
Education
A long-time San Fernando ValleySan Fernando Valley
The San Fernando Valley is an urbanized valley located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California, United States, defined by the dramatic mountains of the Transverse Ranges circling it...
resident, she is a graduate of Valley public schools including Shirley Ave. Elementary, Sutter Jr. High, and Chatsworth High School
Chatsworth High School
Chatsworth High School is a public secondary school located in Chatsworth in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California, U.S..As of the 2005–06 school year, the school had an enrollment of 3183 students and 117.8 classroom teachers , for a student-teacher ratio of 27.0.- History :The campus...
. Essel attended Cal State Northridge
California State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge is a public university in Northridge, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California, United States....
and finished her education with a Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Business Administration
The Bachelor of Business Administration is a bachelor's degree in Commerce and business administration. In most universities, the degree is conferred upon a student after four years of full-time study in one or more areas of business concentrations; see below...
degree.
Senior Vice President of Paramount Pictures
In the late seventies, she moved into her first home in Studio City when she began working as an accountant at a small entertainment business. Essel began her tenure at Paramount Pictures managing budgets as a facilities accountant, and worked her way up to become a Senior Vice President managing various studio functions.At Paramount, she oversaw the creation of hundreds of jobs as she worked to rebuild the dilapidated Paramount lot into a state-of-the-art production facility. Essel also created mentoring, internship, and environmental programs at Paramount.
Los Angeles municipal appointments
She served California and the City of Los AngelesCity of Los Angeles
The City of Los Angeles was a streamlined passenger train that ran between Chicago, Illinois, and Los Angeles, California, via Omaha, Nebraska, and Ogden, Utah. Between Omaha and Los Angeles it ran on the Union Pacific Railroad; east of Omaha it ran on the Chicago and North Western Railway until...
as an appointed commissioner on numerous boards; currently, she is the Vice Chair of the California Workforce Investment Board
Workforce Investment Board
Workforce Investment Boards are regional entities created to implement the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 in the United States, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands....
and from 1999 to 2007, she was chair of the California Film Commission
Film commission
Film commissions are quasi-governmental, non-profit, public organizations that attract motion media production crews to shoot on location in their respective localities, and offer support so that productions can accomplish their work smoothly.- Introduction :Over 300 such organizations are active...
where she is still a board member.
In 1992, she was appointed to the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board by Los Angeles Mayor
Mayor of Los Angeles, California
The mayor of Los Angeles is the chief executive officer of the city. He is elected for a four-year term and limited to serving no more than two terms. Under the California Constitution, all judicial, school, county, and city offices, including those of chartered cities, are nonpartisan...
Tom Bradley
Tom Bradley (politician)
Thomas J. "Tom" Bradley was the 38th Mayor of Los Angeles, California, serving in that office from 1973 to 1993. He was the first and to date only African American mayor of Los Angeles...
and was reappointed by the succeeding mayor, Richard Riordan
Richard Riordan
Richard J. Riordan is a Republican politician from California, U.S.A. who served as the California Secretary for Education from 2003–2005 and as the 39th Mayor of Los Angeles, California from 1993–2001...
. After being elected commission chairwoman, she led the effort to turn around Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood Boulevard
-Revitalization:In recent years successful efforts have been made at cleaning up Hollywood Blvd., as the street had gained a reputation for crime and seediness. Central to these efforts was the construction of the Hollywood and Highland shopping center and adjacent Kodak Theatre in 2001...
to make it a safe and attractive destination for tourists and L.A. residents. Essel also led efforts to develop what became the Agency’s stringent green building
Green building
Green building refers to a structure and using process that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition...
guidelines.
She also served on Tom Bradley’s Hollywood Mobility Action Committees. Most recently, she served as a Los Angeles World Airports
Los Angeles World Airports
Los Angeles World Airports or LAWA is the airport oversight and operations department for the city of Los Angeles, California, United States...
Commissioner, but resigned from the post to run for the Los Angeles City Council.
Community service
She has also volunteered as a neighborhood organizer. When Los Angeles CountyLos Angeles County, California
Los Angeles County is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 9,818,605, making it the most populous county in the United States. Los Angeles County alone is more populous than 42 individual U.S. states...
decided to allow a rock promoter to hold events at the John Anson Ford Theater, Chris created the Hollywood Terrace Homeowners and worked successfully with Los Angeles County and Los Angeles Police Department to stop the events and return the theater to its appropriate status as an acoustic-only venue.
Campaign for City Council
In June 2009, Essel announced her candidacy for the vacant 2nd District Los Angeles City CouncilLos Angeles City Council
The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles.The Council is composed of fifteen members elected from single-member districts for four-year terms. The president of the council and the president pro tempore are chosen by the Council at the first regular meeting after...
seat, most recently held by Los Angeles City Controller
Los Angeles City Controller
The Los Angeles City Controller is an official in the government of the city of Los Angeles, California. The City Controller is the auditor and chief accounting officer of the city. Along with the Mayor and the City Attorney, the City Controller is chosen by popular vote every four years.The...
Wendy Greuel
Wendy Greuel
Wendy Jane Greuel is a municipal American politician. She is the 18th and current Los Angeles City Controller and former President Pro Tempore of the Los Angeles City Council representing the 2nd District, which includes portions of the San Fernando Valley.-Early Life, Education, and Early...
. Essel's candidacy was endorsed by Greuel, former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan
Richard Riordan
Richard J. Riordan is a Republican politician from California, U.S.A. who served as the California Secretary for Education from 2003–2005 and as the 39th Mayor of Los Angeles, California from 1993–2001...
, City Attorney
City attorney
A city attorney can be an elected or appointed position in city and municipal government in the United States. The city attorney is the attorney representing the city or municipality....
Carmen Trutanich, State Senator
State Senator
A state senator is a member of a state's Senate, the upper house in the bicameral legislature of 49 U.S. states, or a legislator in Nebraska's one house State Legislature.There are typically fewer state senators than there are members of a state's lower house...
Fran Pavley
Fran Pavley
Frances J. "Fran" Pavley is a Democratic politician who currently represents Senate District 23, including portions of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties in the California Legislature. She previously served as a California Assemblywoman and as the first mayor of the Southern California community of...
, the majority of the Los Angeles City Council
Los Angeles City Council
The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles.The Council is composed of fifteen members elected from single-member districts for four-year terms. The president of the council and the president pro tempore are chosen by the Council at the first regular meeting after...
as well as the 16 IATSE
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, or I.A.T.S.E., is a labor union representing technicians, artisans and craftspersons in the entertainment industry, including live theatre, motion...
west coast studio locals, AFSCME
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is the second- or third-largest labor union in the United States and one of the fastest-growing, representing over 1.4 million employees, primarily in local and state government and in the health care industry. AFSCME is part of the...
DC 36, Los Angeles Fire Department
Los Angeles Fire Department
The Los Angeles Fire Department is the agency that provides fire protection and emergency medical services for the city of Los Angeles....
Chief Officers Association and most of Southern California's building trades locals. Essel was also endorsed by the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
.
She placed 2nd in the September 22nd, 2009 Primary election (a field of 10 which included Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles Unified School District is the largest public school system in California. It is the 2nd largest public school district in the United States. Only the New York City Department of Education has a larger student population...
Boardmember Tamar Galatzan) to reach a December runoff election against then-Assemblyman Paul Krekorian
Paul Krekorian
Paul Krekorian is an American politician and member of the Los Angeles City Council representing the second district. He was previously a member of the California State Assembly, and the Assistant Majority Floor Leader representing California's 43rd Assembly District...
. Krekorian won the election, which was bitterly contested.