RLACEI Submitted by Beverly J. Clark, Publicity Director
Elizabeth Torres
RLACEI Board Member
The RLACEI Board is happy to welcome Elizabeth (Liz) Torres as our newest Board Director, who joined the Board in May. Liz retired in October 2020 after having worked for the City of Los Angeles for a little more than 30 years.
Liz began her City career in June 1990 as a Clerk Typist (Administrative Clerk) with Public Works/Contract Administration (BCA). In July 1992, she was promoted to Sr. Clerk Typist (Sr. Administrative Clerk) within the same department. She then transferred in October 1998 to Rec and Parks where she was first exposed to personnel-related work. She transferred back to Contract Administration, and later to City Planning.
Within a year, she was promoted to Personnel Records Supervisor at Community Development. “I really enjoyed working in the Human Resources Division and gained so much personnel-related knowledge and experience,” she says. In May 2006, she transferred to Personnel and was appointed as a Management Aide in January 2007 with the LAFD. Liz then was promoted to Personnel Analyst I, advanced to Personnel Analyst II and was promoted again to Sr. Personnel Analyst I. She completed her City career with LACERS.
Liz reminiscences, “Although I worked at LACERS for only a little over two years, it became a home away from home for me. I was blessed to have worked with such a dedicated and hardworking staff. I truly miss my co-workers and boss.”
Liz has been married to her husband, Gilbert, for more than 33 years. They have four sons, one daughter and ten grandchildren, who live in San Gabriel, Sacramento and Tennessee. She loves various musical genres and owns hundreds of CDs. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, card making, and making paper banners and other crafty items. She has sold many home-crafted greeting cards in the past and hopes to begin a home-based cardmaking business. She is a stay-at-home Mimi (grandma) and is raising a rambunctious seven-year-old. Keeping him home for independent study has been challenging, but as a retired grandmother, she feels lucky to have this option. She also serves as team parent for his soccer team.
Liz reflects, “Retirement is a whole new life! Because of COVID, retirement wasn’t what I expected — no celebrations, get-togethers or traveling. Although I am beginning to venture out, I think this is what has been the hardest part for me. Like many of you, I’ve remained close to home during this pandemic. Joining RLACEI was not only one more venture to keep busy, but as a Retiree, it’s important to keep informed of possible changes that can impact our retirement benefits. An added plus is that I’m getting to meet my fellow Retirees.”
