Glendale CA – On May 12, 2018 representatives from various cultural, philanthropic, educational and youth oriented Armenian-American organizations, elected officials and Glendale City staff, welcomed the newly appointed Glendale City Manager, Yasmin Beers at a special welcome reception hosted by the Armenian National Committee of America – Glendale.
Notable attendees included Senator Anthony Portantino, Assemblymember Laura Friedman, and a representative from the office of Congressman Adam Schiff; Glendale City Mayor Zareh Sinanyan as well as Councilmembers Vartan Gharpetian, Ara Najarian and Paula Devine, City Clerk Ardy Kassakhian, President of Crescenta Valley Town Council Harry Leon, Reverend Father Movses Shanakian, as well as representatives from the Glendale Community College Board of Trustees, Glendale Unified School District Board of Education along with several commissioners, City of Glendale department heads and staff.
The welcome reception was held at the beautiful Renaissance Banquet Hall in Glendale, and served as an opportunity for community members to get to know Mrs. Beers in a more intimate setting, and learn about her future plans and ambitions for the City.
In his congratulatory remarks, Mayor Sinanyan emphasized that Yasmin Beers was the best choice among all of the candidates, and as the first female City Manager represents a symbolic change in the City of Glendale.
Senator Portantino and Assemblymember Friedman also gave welcoming remarks.
“She is uniquely positioned to guide this city not only because of her experiences here, but because of her temperament and her talent,” stated the Assemblymember.
Senator Portantino who had recognized Yasmin Beers as the 2018 Woman of the Year, for the CA State Senate in March, stated that “it was an honor listening to her resume being read on the floor of the Assembly.”
The youngest member of the ANCA Glendale Board Hasmik Burushyan, spoke on behalf of entire board stating that, “I would like to congratulate our new City Manager Yasmin Beers. It is an honor to welcome the first female to hold this position and to welcome this new moment for our city. ANCA Glendale looks at this opportunity to expand the quality of life of all Glendale’s residents, and continue building partnerships throughout the city.”
ANCA Glendale Chair, Artin Manoukian introduced Mrs. Beers stating that, “Yasmin Beers has been a colleague, a friend, and at times a confidant for many of us here. Her hard work and dedication to the betterment of our community-at-large is not only obvious, but tantamount to why we are here today…On behalf of ANCA Glendale, the Armenian-American community, and our entire Jewel City, we want to welcome you to your position, wish you success, and hope that your tenure supersedes the already impactful work you have taken on.”
In his closing remarks, Manoukian addressed Yasmin Beers directly stating, “although your qualifications are beyond comparison and your ethical drive and commitment to this city is second to none, what amazes me the most about you is you never forget your roots. Your ability to recognize the importance of diversity and multiculturalism, and not just serving but engaging all Glendalians into civic life, is more than commendable and one of the many reasons you deserve our community’s praise and recognition tonight.”
In her remarks, Yasmin Beers thanked ANCA Glendale and the attendees for their support. She emphasized that her first and foremost call as City Manager is to implement the vision of the City Council, oversee the approximately 1500 full time and hundreds of seasonal employees that provide day to day services to the City of Glendale, its business and residents, and ensure that the quality of life in Glendale is constantly improving.
Additionally, she commented on the importance of a highly trained workforce that is representative of the community stating that, “you want to be an organization that is a microcosm of the community.” Beers also added that according to the most recent demographic survey representation of the Armenian American community has significantly increased.
Yasmin Beer has been a Glendale City employee for nearly 30 years, she has gone up the ranks and served in the Management Services for 18 years. She is the first female to be appointed Glendale City Manager in the city’s 112 year history.
ANCA Glendale looks forward at this opportunity to work together with Mrs. Beers and the city staff, in order expand the quality of life of all Glendale’s residents and ensure the safety, health and prosperity of generations to come.
The ANCA Glendale Chapter advocates for the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the city’s Armenian American community and promotes increased civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels. Learn more at www.ancaglendale.org
###