JEFF ZARRINNAM
Chairman

Ask Jeff Zarrinnam practically any question about Hollywood and he will have the answer. Jeff was born in Hollywood at Kaiser Permanente Hospital more than 50 years ago and makes his home in Hollywood. Jeff also works in Hollywood, is the President and CEO of Hollywood-based Zarco Hotels Inc. which owns the Hollywood Hotel, of which he is the hotel Director and President and CEO of Chateau Celeste Inc., which owns the Chateau Celeste Hotel in Hollywood. Jeff’s fascination with Hollywood is as deep as his roots in the community. The re-established Hollywood Hotel on Vermont Avenue was purchased by Zarco Hotels, Inc. in 1994. Jeff has amassed many original items from the hotel’s first location on Hollywood Boulevard. In addition to renovating Hollywood Hotel, Jeff is restoring the 31- suite Chateau Celeste, an upscale boutique hotel directly across the street from Hollywood Hotel, which was originally built in 1927. Jeff works tirelessly to improve Hollywood; he is the Steering Committee Chairman of the Proposed Hollywood Route 66 Business Improvement District and the Hollywood Western Business Improvement District. He is also on the Tourism Improvement District Steering Committee for the LA Tourism and Convention Board. Jeff’s philanthropic work is equally renowned. He is a founding board member and Treasurer of the East Hollywood Los Feliz Homeless Coalition, and is a sponsor of the Hollywood Christmas Parade benefitting Toys For Tots. Jeff is also a Board Member and Vice President of the LA Cedars Rotary Club and a supporter Project Angel Food, , Hollywood Boys and Girls Club, Hollywood Police Activities League and Hollywood Central Park. Anyone who knows or works with Jeff does not try to reach him in the early mornings because he hikes the Hollywood Hills daily. These treks allow him to unplug, reinforce his Hollywood footing and embrace the magnificent view that people the world over travel to see. Jeff is an avid Tennis Player and Skier. Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife Mandy, a well-known Los Angeles event planner, and his twin boys, Alex and Aiden.

BERJ TASHJIAN
Vice Chairman

Berj Tashjian has been deeply rooted in East Hollywood for over 4 decades as a Property Owner, Entrepreneur and Community Activist. Currently, he is the Executive Director of a privately held Real Estate Investment Trust. Formerly, as President/CEO of CBT Int’l Trading Corp and Proprietor of Berjo’s World Famous Discount Center, he specialized in Consumer Electronics and Home Appliances for World-Wide Sales and Distribution.

Tashjian received his Master of Public Administration (MPA) from USC Sol Price School of Public Policy with an emphasis in Organizational Development and Leadership. He is active with the Bedrossian Center on Governance and Public Enterprise and Volunteers with the Athenian Society as a Professional Mentor to International Graduate Students. In his early career, Berj earned his BS in Microbiology from Cal State LA and worked as a Research Microbiologist for Highland Laboratories. He was later selected for R&D at Aerojet Corp for the US Department of Defense; developing strategic defensive mechanisms used in biological warfare. This background gives him a unique perspective as a recent Member of the Healthcare Committee of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

A long-respected community leader, Berj has been supportive of numerous charitable organizations. For over 30 years, he has collaborated with his wife, Anita, in her work with the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of Childhelp, in combating Child Abuse and Neglect throughout the USA. He is an active member of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles (AAGLA) and the immediate past Vice-Chair of the East Hollywood BID. He serves as the Chaplain for the LA Lodge of Knights of Vartan and as an advisor to the Educational and Charitable Committee.

Born in Jerusalem, Berj immigrated to Los Angeles as a teenager settling in Hollywood. He enjoys spending time with his wife and son, often traveling together to explore the world. His extensive Fine Art and Antique collection began as a hobby and developed into a serious passion of a lifetime. Mr. Tashjian is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all the residents and business community of East Hollywood.

ELLEN ZAMAN
Treasurer

Ellen Zaman is the Executive Director, External Affairs, at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles where she is responsible for civic, government, business and external relations, public policy and advocacy.  She has advanced numerous innovative hospital and external programs in the areas of health access, behavioral health, public policy education, economic and workforce development. She also works with key federal, state, county and local elected offices to advance children’s health and behavioral health and to preserve funding for programs for underserved communities, research and education.  Ms. Zaman has served at CHLA in a range of administrative posts and has previously been responsible for the operations, clinical, teaching, and research activities of numerous Hospital Departments.

Actively working with health care, business, government, professional and civic organizations, Ms. Zaman is involved in numerous city, county and regional initiatives. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, BizFed, and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.  She also serves on the Board of Governors of the East Hollywood Business Improvement District, working with area businesses on revitalization and community development. She is a member of the California State Advocacy Committee of the March of Dimes.

Ms. Zaman is the Immediate Past Regent for Southern California of the American College for Health Care Executives, in which she represented health care leaders across the seven county region.. She is a past president of Healthcare Executives of Southern California.  She is an advisor to the National Forum of Latino Health Care Executives.

Ms. Zaman is on faculty of the Graduate Program in Health Care Management, in the College of Business and Economics, at California State University, Los Angeles, where she teaches Comparative Health Systems.

As a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Ms. Zaman is Board Certified in health care management.

Vacant
Secretary

Michael Tong
Board Member

JACQUES MASSACHI
Board Member

Lisa Nashua                                                                                          Board Member

Lisa Nashua, Ph.D. is fundraising executive with over twenty years of experience in higher education, the arts, non-profits, and healthcare carrying out successful mission driven programs and initiatives. Her expertise includes public and private higher education advancement, community outreach, and governmental relations.

Dr. Nashua's personal passion includes working with diverse constituents, international travel, and cultural education.  Her educational background includes a bachelor of arts degree in art history, a master of arts degree in leadership and management and a doctorate in education focusing on multiculturalism and diversity.  She believes in the power of the Community College in providing access and support for  the successful attainment of college education and training for diverse and underrepresented communities. Lisa comes to the Los Angeles City College Foundation from Chaffey College, where she served as the Executive Director of the Foundation and Government Relations for over seven years.

Susanna Furios 
Board Member

Jason Williams                                                        Board Member