LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Susana Reyes, vice president of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners, was unanimously confirmed by the Los Angeles City Council today to serve on the Board of Public Works, with several council members praising her record leading environmental and sustainability efforts.
``It gives me great comfort to know that someone with your background, Susana, is going to be here. Your background on sustainable practices that we can lean on to make great things happen,'' said Councilman Bob Blumenfield, chair of the council's Public Works Committee.
Councilman Mike Bonin said he has known Reyes for 26 years, calling her ``one of the people who was implementing some of the very first environmental initiatives in Los Angeles.''
He added that she was ``sort of a pioneer'' in the effort to get the city to start recycling and to create markets for recycled products. Reyes was previously the director of the Department of Water and Power's Low-Income Customer Access program, which provides low-income ratepayers with financial assistance, discounts and rebates.
She also founded and serves as CEO of the advocacy and consulting firm AgilEngines, which focuses on community outreach and civic engagement strategies.
``Susana is a selfless public servant who has spent her career building a more resilient and fair Los Angeles,'' Mayor Eric Garcetti said when he nominated Reyes. ``Her strong commitment to equity, environmental justice and public safety will make her a powerful addition to the Board of Public Works.''
Reyes was also senior sustainability analyst for Garcetti's sustainability team, where she helped the city get a $1.7 million grant from the California Air and Resources Board to help launch the electric car sharing pilot program BlueLA, according to her biography supplied by the DWP.
The five-member Board of Public Works serves as an executive team overseeing the Department of Public Works' operations and 5,000 employees within the Bureau of Contract Administration, Bureau of Engineering, Bureau of Sanitation, Bureau of Street Lighting and Bureau of Street Services.
The board's responsibilities include the design, construction, renovation and operation of public projects throughout the city, including bridges, wastewater treatment plants, graffiti removal, sidewalk and street maintenance and more.
``The city of Los Angeles is at a pivotal point when it comes to advancement of its critical infrastructure projects, resources, assets and services to the city's residents and businesses,'' Reyes said after Garcetti nominated her.
``I am honored by this opportunity to lead with equity, creativity and innovation, using my diverse perspectives and wealth of experience gained from decades of leadership positions within the city to further our commitments to cleaner neighborhoods, sustainable infrastructure, public safety, and healthy land, water and air.''