BURBANK—The Armenian National Committee of America—Burbank announced that five Armenian-Americans were recently appointed to serve on numerous Commissions in the City of Burbank: Annie P. Marandjian-Hovanessian on the Burbank Water and Power Board, Ara Boyadjian on the Burbank Civic Pride Committee, Vahe Hovanessian as Chair of the City of Burbank Planning Board and Chair of the Burbank Unified School District Facilities Oversight Committee, Garen Yegparian as Chair of the Park, Recreation and Community Services Board and Hagop Hergelian as Secretary of the Police Commission.
“It is important that we encourage our Armenian-American community to take part in Burbank’s civic life. These five individuals are excellent representatives and role models for our community. I look forward to seeing the work they accomplish,” stated Silva Kechichian, ANCA—B Chair.
Annie P. Marandjian-Hovanessian, Esq. is the West Region Attorney for Vulcan Materials Company. In her seven years at Vulcan, Annie has gained a reputation as a highly respected professional and leader among her peers in the construction materials industry.
Hovanessian obtained her bachelor of arts from UCLA and graduated from the University of La Verne, College of Law with a juris doctor and numerous honors. She began her community involvement by volunteering in Homenetmen, Massis Chapter and the Armenian Youth Federation, Sardarabad Chapter.
“One of the first things I learned when I joined Homenetmen as a little girl was ‘Elevate Yourself and Elevate Others with You—Partsratsir Partsratsour’. I hold this motto dear to my heart and try to apply it to all aspects of my life. As attorneys, my husband and I enjoy being zealous advocates not only for our clients, but for our community as well. It is tremendously rewarding to see what a difference people can make when they work together in harmony towards a common goal,” commented Hovanessian.
In addition, Hovanessian was a columnist for the Burbank Leader, writing about service clubs and their activities. She served for eight years as a member of Burbank’s Community Development Goals Committee, which provides recommendations for the disbursement of funds from the federal Community Development Block Grants Program. Hovanessian was recently appointed to the high profile Burbank Water and Power Board.
Ara Boyadjian, a resident of the City of Burbank for over 40 years, is the founder of the slogan, logo and website “Visit Armenia It Is Beautiful.” The concept is a non-profit slogan encouraging travel and tourism to Armenia. Ara’s passion for tourism and travel started over 55 years ago. When he peaked in his professional life, Ara decided to continue his hard work by volunteering his time to local causes.
Boyadjian was appointed to his second term as a Civic Pride Committee Member, where he enthusiastically promotes civic involvement and pride in Burbank. He proudly served his first term from June 2010 to May 2012.
With his belief and passion in introducing and integrating different ethnic groups and cultures in Burbank, Boyadjian hopes to make a difference as a Civic Pride Committee Member and keep Burbank a beautiful place to live or visit.
Vahe Hovanessian, Esq. is a practicing attorney at the Law Office of Vahe Hovanessian, handling general civil and criminal matters through trial including family law, employment, contract and personal injury.
Hovanessian graduated with a juris doctor from the San Fernando Valley College of Law of the University of La Verne and a bachelor of arts in political science from UCLA.
He volunteers for the Burbank Public Library Literacy Services Department and is trained to help adults quickly learn to read with the phonics method. Hovanessian also volunteers his time as a Parent Support Committee member for the Richard Tufenkian Pre-School and occasionally assists coaching his son’s basketball Jr. NBA team for Ararat Homenetmen.
He currently serves as the Chair of the City of Burbank Planning Board (2009 to present) and the Chair of the Burbank Unified School District Facilities Oversight Committee (2010 to present). Prior to his current service, he served as a board member and Chair of the City of Burbank Water and Power Board (2003 to 2007).
Garen Yegparian is a longtime resident, volunteer, and active member of the Burbank community. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in chemical engineering and for the past ten years has worked for the City of Los Angeles in the City Clerk’s office as a technical research analyst.
Yegparian is currently the Chair of the Park, Recreation and Community Services Board, where he focuses on making more recreational opportunities available in Burbank. He also represents the City on the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy- Advisory Board.
Garen has also been involved in other boards and a range of community issues. He has served on the Burbank Charter Review Committee, the Blue Ribbon Committee on Campaign Finance Reform, and the Burbank Community Development Goals Committee. Outside of government, he has worked to bring people together by working with the ANCA-Burbank and the Burbank Human Relations Council.
Hagop Hergelian has lived in Burbank for over 15 years and has been an active member of and involved in many facets of the Burbank community. He was a member of the Burbank Charter Review Committee and the Blue Ribbon Committee on Campaign Finance Reform. He is also an alumnus of Leadership Burbank, a leadership training academy.
Hergelian was reappointed unanimously by the Burbank City Council in 2011 for a third term and is currently serving his tenth year as a Police Commissioner. The Burbank Police Commission is currently involved in implementing independent oversight and expanding civilian oversight of the Police Department. Also, Hagop is a past Chairman of the Burbank Police Commission.
The Armenian National Committee of America – Burbank advances the social, economic, cultural and political rights of the area’s Armenian American community and promotes increased Armenian American civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.
