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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The deputy director of planning and land use for Councilman Bob Blumenfield was confirmed by the City Council today to serve on the Los Angeles Board of Public Works after he was appointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti.
Vahid Khorsand will fill the seat vacated by Greg Good, the board's former president. Good has filed paperwork to run for City Council to represent Council District 11, but an announcement about his campaign has not yet been made.
``Vahid has dedicated his life to lifting up communities and making sure city government opens doors of opportunity for our residents -- and that makes him the ideal leader to help us deliver the core services that make our neighborhoods work,'' Garcetti said after nominating Khorsand on Feb. 9.
``His proven leadership skills and breadth of experience working with communities across Los Angeles give me confidence that he is well equipped to make sure City Hall is working efficiently and helping to improve Angelenos' quality of life,'' the mayor added.
Khorsand worked as Garcetti's West Valley area representative from 2020 to 2021, according to the mayor's office. During that time, he organized mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics, resources for small businesses and the distribution of personal protective equipment to organizations in the West Valley.
``It's an honor of a lifetime to be entrusted by Mayor Garcetti and the City Council to serve my city of Los Angeles on the Board of Public Works,'' Khorsand said. ``I look forward to getting to work with my fellow Angelenos and digging in on important public infrastructure projects through the city.''
Khorsand moved to Los Angeles from Tehran, Iran, when he was 4 years old, growing up in Porter Ranch and Granada Hills. He graduated from Cal State Long Beach and received a MBA from Pepperdine University.
The five-member Board of Public Works serves as an executive team that oversees 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 the 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.