Citizens' Advisory Committee
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Measure A established a five-member Citizens’ Advisory Committee to periodically review the City’s use of revenues generated by the tax and make recommendations to the City Council with regard to the use of the tax. The members of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council.
Rolando Cruz, Chair
Rolando has lived in Long Beach since 1994 and brings more than 30+ years of management, working in finance, fleet maintenance, facilities at Long Beach Transit, Chief Operation Officer of the City of Santa Monica Big Blue Bus and retired in 2023 from Culver City as the Chief Transportation Officer. He has served on several national task forces in public transportation, was active and chaired multiple committees in the American Public Transportation Association and California Transit Association and was a board member and CFO for the California Transit Training Consortium. Rolando has served in the community on the boards of the Bluff Park Neighborhood Association, PTA, and Leadership Long Beach, serving two years as President of Leadership Long Beach in 2013-2015. Rolando is a CPA and holds a M.B.A. and a Bachelor’s in accounting from the University of Texas.
Robert Emigh, Vice Chair
Dr. Robert Emigh is a long-time Professional and Community Volunteer in Long Beach. He opened Emigh Dental Care in 1972 and the dental practice has been serving Long Beach families for more than 30 years. He was Chairman of the Board for the California Dental Association and delegate for the American Dental Association and was honored by the American College of Dentistry and International College of Dentistry. He retired in 2018 and the office is now run by his sons Pat and Todd. Robert has been very active in the Long Beach Community for more than 20 years. He has been on the Board for Campfire USA – Long Beach Chapter since 2002 and has served as Board Chair since 2017. He is a proud member of the Leadership Long Beach Class of 2003, served two terms on the Board of Directors and now serves on the Honorary Board. Bob has also served both St. Mary’s and Memorial Medical Center and has volunteered for Steel Magnolias Mens Alliance. He lives in Long Beach with his wife Anne and they are enjoying the many activities of their 7 grandkids.
Jan Hower, Member
Jan B. Hower is the President of Long Beach Camerata Singers. She was raised just outside of New York City and participated in choral, orchestral and theater activities throughout high school. She moved to California in 1970, earning a degree in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton. She launched her accounting career at McDonnell Douglas, later moving to Eastman Office Products. After retiring from the corporate world, Jan pursued her love of music by enrolling in the academic music program at Long Beach City College, a path that led her to Long Beach Camerata Singers. She first served as the organization’s Treasurer, and was elected President in 2014. Ms Hower has worked with three artistic directors during her tenure at LBCS, advancing the organization from a modest profile as a community choir to its current position as the primary choral organization serving the Long Beach area. In the last 5 years, she turned her attention to building the education programs at LBCS and Peace4Youth, serving LBUSD Middle school students.
David Ochoa, Member
David is an 8-year resident of Long Beach and a proud resident of District 4. He attended CSULB where he obtained both his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and History, and his Master's Degree in Political Science. For the last 5 years, he has worked as the Senior District Representative for State Senator Tom Umberg. In that role he covers issue areas such as Transportation, Public Safety and Governance and Finance, while representing the City of Long Beach for the Senator's office. David also served as a member of the Citizens Police Complaint Commission, where he worked with his fellow commissioners and city staff to improve practices and procedures utilized by the Long Beach Police Department when interacting with the public. David is proud to call Long Beach home, and is always eager to find new ways to help the City any way he can.