Jan Perry has a long history in public service. Raised in the Midwest, she learned the importance of public service from her parents. Both her mother and father served as councilmembers, and then mayors of their township. Following in their footsteps, Perry was elected to the Los Angeles City Council on July 5, 2001 with one of the largest margins of victory-57% to 43%. She currently chairs the Public Works committee, is vice-chair of the Economic Development and Employment committee, and is a member of the Public Safety committee.

Perry made Los Angeles her home in 1977 and attended the University of Southern California earning a Bachelors Degree in Journalism, cum laude. She received her BA in 1977, followed by a Masters in Public Administration in 1981. In addition, she earned a Certificate in Litigation from the University of California, Los Angeles Extension in 1979.

The Ninth District became an integral part of Perry's life even before her election to the City Council. During the five years she spent as Chief of Staff for the Ninth District, she became intimately involved with the concerns of the community. Determined to address the lack of open space for children to run and play, Perry, along with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, developed an indigenous outdoor park with outdoor classrooms where children and their families could learn and appreciate California's environment, native plants, and species. Perry's additional council experience includes working as a Legislative Deputy for the 10th District and Senior Planning Deputy for the 13th District.

DEVELOPING PROGRAMS FOR THE PEOPLE

Perry developed programs to meet the immediate needs of the community. She created a city program to help liquor store owners convert their stores for better uses, helped restore dilapidated housing, and led a consortium of Asian-American and African-American bankers, encouraging investments after the 1992 civil unrest.

In July 1998, the Mayor appointed Perry to be the Executive Director of the Census 2000 Outreach Project. Perry directed the census effort in the nation's most complex and culturally diverse city. The mission of the Census 2000 Outreach Project was to maximize the population count in Los Angeles, ensuring that the City of Los Angeles receives its fair share of state and federal funding for social services for the next ten years.

For Perry, public service extends beyond the walls of City Hall. She has served on the boards of many community and business organizations, including the Community Financial Resources Center, Los Angeles Education Partnership, Metro Region of the National Women's Political Caucus, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the William O. Douglas Outdoor Classroom, Jennessee Center Vocational Education Committee, League of Women Voters, Angels Flight Railway Foundation, and Jewish Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation Council. Additionally, she has held leadership positions on the boards of the African-American/Jewish Leadership Connection (1997), Coro Foundation (1997), Hollywood Community Housing Corporation (1990-1993), the Japanese American National Museum (Currently), and the Black-Korean Alliance (1992).

As Councilwoman, Perry understands that the Ninth Council District, including Downtown, is an economic engine for the entire city and a tool to improve the quality of life for South Los Angeles.

Jan Perry is the best example of true leadership, active concern for Los Angeles development, and promotes programs that meet the needs of the people of Los Angeles.

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