Candidates’ Statements: Board Election 2023
Below are the Candidates Statements, as available, for the Board Election. The balloting (voting) began late Wednesday night, March 22, and ends on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. PDT.
Only those adult persons who are current, paid Voting Members in good standing, as defined in the BPNA Bylaws, Manners of Acting and Standing Rules, are eligible to run for a position and vote in the Election.
The following positions are each now being elected for a term of two (2) years in office: President, VP of Historic Preservation, VP of Events & Fundraising, and VP of Public Safety. Only the role of President is limited to serving consecutive terms no more than 3 times.
One (1) vote (or the first vote) may be cast per household. Membership status will be verified, and only eligible votes will be counted.
To begin voting (casting your household’s ballot) now, CLICK HERE.
NOTE: Only eligible ballots cast using the online form by the voting deadline of Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. PDT will be counted.
Election results will be posed on our website home page by or about Saturday, April 1st.
CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT
Marco Pizzo
Share Your Reason or Passion for Putting Yourself Forward for this Board Officer Position:
MARCO: It has been a pleasure to live in the Bluff Park Historic District for 23 years. It is a unique and special neighborhood that is very easy to passionately love as I do. After serving for 6 years as VP of Events and Fundraising, it seems like a natural step with the present open opportunity to change roles and continue to grow the association and ensure that all the good work that has been established in prior years will continue to benefit and help our historic district flourish even more.
My goal is to ensure and implement the BPNA mission, its bylaws and manners of acting. We must continue to grow and help promote, educate and protect our historic character, while fostering unity, civic engagement and public safety goals within our neighborhood. I understand the importance of continuing to provide residents, members and volunteers with exciting events and forums that promote a better sense of community and camaraderie within our special historic neighborhood.
I have learned so much and am honored to have been a part of this all-volunteer association for so many years and I look forward to the opportunity to lead our new board into the next phase of success.
Tell About Yourself & What You Feel You Could Bring and Do for BPNA as Board Officer:
MARCO: I am the owner of a Long Beach interior design business since 2003. My husband Jeff (current BPNA President) and I have lived in the neighborhood since 1999 and we currently have a little terrier dog which you may have seen out on walks. I have seen firsthand the workings of the association and learned so much over the past 6-year experience in my role as VP of Events and Fundraising and co-chair for the Historic Lamppost Project that I believe I can bring the gathered knowledge to assist each board discipline and ensure BPNA officers reach their goals for the association and our community. With over 30 years of business experience and spearheading many successful fundraisers for the BPNA, I hope to bring in a fresh new outlook as President to inspire, foster and continue to build goodwill with our residents, other historic district leaders, the district 2 council / Vice Mayor and of course represent our community with important issues to the City and Cultural Heritage Commission. I also hope to personally grow and learn in this potential new role, along with the efforts of the board who together also volunteer, grow and support our wonderful historic district. I believe leadership is important, but that our success is measured by the whole team, and I look forward to the possibility of being part of an exciting new board team.
CANDIDATE FOR VICE PRESIDENT OF EVENTS & FUNDRAISING
Joe Lazo
Share Your Reason or Passion for Putting Yourself Forward for this Board Officer Position:
JOE: I think I would be an asset in events as I have had previous experience in live events and promotions.
Tell About Yourself & What You Feel You Could Bring and Do for BPNA as Board Officer:
JOE: I work in the entertainment industry and feel as if I could bring a new perspective to the board.
CANDIDATE FOR VICE PRESIDENT OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Jeffrey Mallin
Share Your Reason or Passion for Putting Yourself Forward for this Board Officer Position:
JEFF: As the outgoing president of the BPNA for the last 6 years, I have felt a great sense of pride and duty to the important history, work and mission of the BPNA and the wonderful neighborhood in which I have lived for over 2 decades. I have met some wonderful people who are now more than just neighbors; they are my friends and mentors. As with any role, I find it is the people who make the most difference and provide the most meaning. Through this experience I continue to grow and learn and improve. I believe that the track record I share with numerous board members, committees and volunteers, demonstrates that I take my role and responsibility seriously and do everything I can to be a respected ambassador for the BPNA, for the historic district and for the residents that depend on the association. Developing long-lasting relationships, collegiality and respect are the cornerstones of my leadership philosophy. The preservation and cohesiveness of the Bluff Park Historic District is near and dear to me and means more to me than just historic preservation. I am excited to be a part of the half-century legacy of this important nonprofit.
Tell About Yourself & What You Feel You Could Bring and Do for BPNA as Board Officer:
JEFF: Succession planning and expanding volunteerism and perspectives in the association have been long-standing imperatives. I am excited that I can step down as president after the maximal time of consecutive service in that role, and, if so honorably elected, still remain a part of the future and evolving leadership team of the BPNA, the neighborhood, and broader community around us. A lot has been accomplished, and yet there is so much more that is possible. As the VP of Historic Preservation, I would hope to continue the productive engagement and learnings with our residents and renters; property owners; developers; City planners, commissioners, and leaders; and like-minded preservation organizations, experts and nearby neighborhood association leaders to help ensure and advance the integrity and value of historic districts, such as ours, and the architecture, charm and value they bring — with a focus on our neighborhood’s 40 year historic district Ordinance and the City’s Design Guidelines approved with our neighborhood’s input 5 years ago. I am proud to be the co-chair of the Bluff Park Historic Lamppost Project, collaborating with scores of neighbors, stakeholders and donors to bring it from it a century-old idea to a burgeoning, beautifying reality. On a more personal note, I am currently a full-time practicing pediatrician and serve board and advisory roles at the regional, state and national levels for accredited continuing education for healthcare professionals (CME). I enjoy living in a 1913 Craftsman home with my husband and small dog. Most of all, I cherish the feeling of being able to make a difference and have fun working with others in my neighborhood and city which I love.
CANDIDATE FOR VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Michelle Murray
Share Your Reason or Passion for Putting Yourself Forward for this Board Officer Position:
MICHELLE: I love this neighborhood, and my neighbors! I would love to continue as part of the board so that I can help maintain what makes it great, and help facilitate bringing neighbors together in our beautiful Bluff Park. I believe when neighbors look after each other; it creates a more close knit, safer community that we all benefit from.
Tell About Yourself & What You Feel You Could Bring and Do for BPNA as Board Officer:
MICHELLE: My husband and I have owned our historic home in Bluff Park since the late 90’s. It is a bit small for us with our 2 teenagers, 4 dogs and cat but we love the neighborhood so much we wouldn’t even dream of moving. I own a small real estate brokerage, and my husband and I also run a local small business fixing yachts and large commercial boats. Besides being a mom and a multiple business owner I am also a purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu! All of these roles give me a diverse set of skills that are beneficial as a member of the BPNA board. I always use the betterment of the whole neighborhood (homeowners and renters alike) as my compass when making decisions or voting on issues that effect Bluff Park.
To begin voting (casting your household’s ballot) now, CLICK HERE.
NOTE: Only eligible ballots cast using the online form by the voting deadline of Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. PDT will be counted.
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