ABOUT
President's Message
January 6, 2026
Dear LA-ABOTA Member:
The theme for the year is “I Love LA – ABOTA,” and the Executive Committee will focus on membership experience through high-quality chapter meetings and meaningful programming.
To support this focus, our standing committees are organized around five core pillars: Operations, Membership, Member Experience, Education, and Finances. Leadership is as follows:
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Member Experience: Lourdes DeArmas
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Education: Christa Ramey
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Membership: Alice Chen Smith and Ibiere Seck
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Treasurer / Finance: Chris Aumais
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Operations: Thomas Johnston, Shawn McCann and Rahul Ravipudi
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We are pleased to return our Executive Committee veterans from 2025 and welcome new Executive Committee members: Eddie Ward, Justin Sanders, Haytham Faraj, Ibiere Seck, Ryan Saba, and Ninos Saroukhanioff, and to welcome back Denise Taylor as our Sergeant-at-Arms. We are also delighted that Jenny Blevins has returned as Co-Executive Director, joined this year by Will Hixson.
Please be on the lookout for information about upcoming programs and chapter events throughout the year. Be sure to check the calendar on the website often for updates.
Please also join us for our Installation and President’s Dinner Dance at the Beverly Hills Hotel on January 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. We will honor two of our best, Brian Panish (Lee B. Wenzel Civility Award) and Steve Pasarow (H. Gilbert Jones, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award). The theme is Night of Western Elegance—gowns, tuxes, bolo ties, and boots. Cowboy hats will be provided, and there will be dancing. See the link below to register.
Finally, Member Experience Chair Lourdes DeArmas and I would value your feedback on your experience as a chapter member. Please take a few minutes to complete this confidential survey by clicking here.
Thank you for being part of LA-ABOTA. I look forward to a terrific year together.
Very truly yours,
Thomas Johnston
President, LA ABOTA
“I Love LA – ABOTA”