League of California Cities Announces New Board Officers Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard Elected President

The League of California Cities announced and introduced its newly elected 2012-13 board of directors’ executive committee today, Friday, Sept. 7, during the League’s 114th Annual Conference & Expo in San Diego.
Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard was elected to serve as the League’s president, replacing Mountain View Mayor Mike Kasperzak who held the role for the past year. San Francisco Treasurer José Cisneros was elected as first vice president and Arroyo Grande Mayor Tony Ferrara joins the League’s executive committee as second vice president.
Under the League’s bylaws, officers serve a one-year term with the outgoing president, Kasperzak, now becoming immediate past president of the League and remaining a member of the League’s executive committee. Bogaard advances to his current position after serving the past year as first vice president and Cisneros transfers to first vice president after serving his past term of second vice president.
“Mayor Kaperzak has worked tirelessly on behalf of California cities as president. He focused his efforts on strengthening California cities and helping navigate the challenges this year presented with the elimination of redevelopment in February. During his presidency, he’s called attention to the Healthy Eating Active Living Campaign and the importance of policies at the city level that promote wellness,” said League Executive Director Chris McKenzie.
Mayor Bogaard, the new League president, is currently in his fourth term as Pasadena mayor. He assumed office in 1999 as the city’s first directly elected mayor. During his tenure, the city has achieved great success including the arrival of the Gold Line light rail transit system, significant investment in new housing and the construction of a new convention center. Previously, Bogaard served on the Pasadena City Council from 1978 – 1986, including as mayor in his final two years when the mayor was a rotating position. Bogaard is also chair of the Pasadena Bioscience Collaborative and the city of Pasadena’s Emergency Services Council. The mayor has served on the League board of directors since 2007.
After graduating from Loyola Marymount University, Bogaard went on to serve as a U.S. Air Force Captain. He went on to graduate from Michigan Law School and practiced law prior to becoming the executive vice president of First Interstate Bankcorp. He serves as an arbitrator of business disputes and has taught at the University of Michigan Law School and the University of Southern California Law School.
Outgoing League President and Mountain View Mayor Mike Kasperzak welcomed the incoming president saying, “I am passing the gavel to a dedicated public servant who is prepared to lead the League in what continues to be very challenging times. Serving as his city’s mayor since 1999, Bill brings great expertise and integrity to this position.”
Founded in 1898, the League of California Cities is an association of California city officials who work together to enhance their knowledge and skills, exchange information, and combine resources so that they may influence policy decisions that affect cities. The League’s mission is to restore and protect local control for cities through education and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for all Californians.

More from Arcadia Weekly