Community Development

Planning Commission Members

JaneTemplin
Jane Templin, Vice Chair
Jane Templin is the Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) where she promotes excellence and wellbeing for over 12,000 electrical trades professionals. Jane overcame barriers in her own career as an electrician and now gives back through mentoring, promoting apprenticeship programs and green building educational programs. She is activist and dedicated to career pathways for youth, minorities and women into the construction trades. She has dedicated her time with Habitat for Humanity, Foster Youth and Los Angeles Conservation Corps among other causes in addition to serving on the South Bay Workforce Investment Board , Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Board and the Electrician Examining Board.
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Alvaro Castillo
Alvaro Castillo is a life-long resident of Long Beach. He’s lived in almost every area of the LBC (North, West, Central and East). He’s a proud graduate of LB Poly High School and Long Beach State University. He holds a bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Real Estate & Law and a Master’s in Business Administration. Alvaro has over 20 years of progressive experience in human resources management in numerous industries and organizations ranging from small employers to large multinational Fortune 500 companies. He has a passion for being an involved member of the community, which is why he has been an active member in numerous non-profits in the City. He previously served in leadership roles including the Board of Directors of the 49er Shops, President of the Alumni Association of Delta Chi Fraternity, and served as a Commissioner for Community Development, Citizens Police Complaint Commission, Long Beach Airport and most recently the Planning Commission.

Alvaro lives in East Long Beach with his wife and college sweetheart, Teresa along with their two children, Diego, and Sofia.
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Griselda Suarez
Griselda Suarez, born in East Los Angeles, found her voice through writing. A strong advocate for the arts, she has dedicated her career to empowering communities through creative expression. Since 2016, she has served as Executive Director of the Arts Council for Long Beach and spent eight years advising the L.A. County Cultural Equity and Inclusion Initiative. A long-time educator, she has taught in Cal State Long Beach’s Chicano and Latino Studies department for over 20 years. Recognized as one of the LB Post’s “40 under 40” for her arts leadership and resilience, Griselda’s writing has been published widely. Her creative work includes apprenticing with muralist Paul Botello, producing for the National Queer Arts Festival, and being a two-time Lambda Literary Fellow. She holds degrees from Pitzer College and advanced degrees in Creative Writing. Deeply rooted in Long Beach, Griselda believes in the transformative power of the arts.
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Michael Clemson

Michael Clemson has over 15 years of experience in the sustainability, building and transportation fields. He is committed to helping Long Beach build a better city while meeting its sustainability goals. Michael Clemson previously served on the Board of Directors for Long Beach Transit. He has a passion for transportation, is an avid cyclist and transit rider, and he believes that one of the critical things that makes a city great is having diverse transit options, including public and active transportation. 

In his role as the Carbon Reduction Manager for the California State University Office of the Chancellor, Michael works directly to promote energy efficiency and sustainability.

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Michele Ware

Michele Ware has over 25 years of experience managing nonprofits and successfully partnering with Boards of Directors to help organizations fulfill their mission and vision. Currently, Michele serves as President of the Building Owners and Managers Association Greater Los Angeles (BOMA/GLA). BOMA/GLA is the leading commercial real estate advocate representing 135 million square feet of office and industrial space in Los Angeles. Since taking the helm as President in 2007, BOMA/GLA has dramatically expanded its issue advocacy and enhanced the
organization’s influence on local and state policy.

Prior to her role at BOMA/GLA, Michele served as Executive Director of Professionals in Human Resources Association for ten years. Currently, she serves on two non-profit boards: The People Concern and Building Skills Partnership. Michele is also a founding board member of The Los
Angeles Business Federation. (BizFed). Michele holds a BS in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.

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Todd J. Lemmis, J.D.

Todd J. Lemmis, JD is a real estate developer, author, HR leader, lecturer, organizational architect, lawyer, artist, designer and musician. His diverse background in real estate development, law, hospitality, business, music, art and design affords him a creative, big picture perspective and approach to each project he undertakes.

Formerly the chief of HR for Molina Healthcare, Todd’s current work with Pacific6, Enterprises, a Long Beach, California based investment/development firm involves investment in community-enhancing projects and the development of hotels and multi-family properties. Within Pacific6, Todd focuses on project development, management and design, HR, public and government relations,

His seminal published work involves transforming HR organizational design and architecture with a science-based approach that unlocks the keys to career development, employee retention, culture and engagement. Todd’s proprietary model simplifies organizational architecture, job competencies, career pathing, job descriptions and succession planning, resulting in happier, more engaged employees and flatter, more stable, connected and productive organizations.

Todd holds a BA in philosophy from UCLA and a JD from Southwestern Law. For fun, he enjoys writing books, playing music, reading, cooking, entertaining, and designing art, leather goods and ceramics.

Todd lives in Long Beach, California with his amazingly patient wife. They are frequently visited by their three adult children. He’s a member of and featured speaker for the Society for Human Resources Management, the Cal State Long Beach faculty, American MENSA, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the US Navy Musician’s Association, and Costco.

Nick Santos
Nick Santos
Nick Santos serves as the Business Manager and Secretary-Treasurer for LIUNA Local 1309, representing 4,500 construction workers throughout Southern Los Angeles County. A former compliance representative, he investigated wage theft cases across Southern California. As a third-generation union member, Nick has been actively involved in community service from a young age. He holds a Finance degree from Long Beach State and enjoys spending his free time with his wife and family along the waterfront.