CLUB ANNUAL LUNCHEON
2025: Honoring, Thanking, Reflecting
The Club held its 96th annual meeting Jan. 8 at the California Endowment in downtown Los Angeles. The meeting was hosted for the first time by Arlene Herrero, Club Vice President of Business Development.

The annual luncheon featured many new elements: the naming of Employees of the Year across many jurisdictions; a Lifetime Achievement Award; the debut of a new direction in Club video; and a “fireside” chat hosted by Association and Club President and CEO Robert Larios to explore the deeper meaning and purpose of our daily lives.

Those new elements combined with annual favorites like the Club President’s Award, the ceremonial swearing in of Club Board Members, annual reports from Club staff, and of course a delicious lunch and the renewal of friendships and business relationships.
“We are thrilled to have you here for this very special event,” Arlene said in opening the luncheon, before introducing the luncheon committee of Mariana Guevara, Director of Ticketing and Affinity Programs; Clara Flores, Sr. Accountant; and Guadalupe Lira, Director of Retail and Ecommerce. “We’ve worked hard to plan an extraordinary experience for all of you.”

Officer Dan Jenkins of the LAPD Chaplain Corps gave the opening invocation and the closing benediction.
The business portion of the annual meeting – the swearing in of Club Board Members – took place in late 2024.
CLUB AWARDS
President’s Award
Robert Larios presented one of the Club’s most meaningful and distinguished honors – the President’s Award, chosen by the awardee’s peers and co-workers. This year’s recipient was Petros Khachatrian, Club Director of IT.


“Petros, your empathy and leadership have created a space where collaboration thrives, and excellence becomes the standard,” Robert said. “You’ve built a community where others might see only challenges, and your positive influence radiates across the entire organization. You’ve reminded us that true leadership isn’t just about leading – it’s about serving, inspiring, and lifting others toward success. I want to thank you for all you’ve done for this organization. You’ve set a benchmark with your compassion, innovation, and dedication that will continue to guide us for years to come.”
Employees of the Year
For the first time, the Club presented its Employee of the Year Awards, a new initiative to celebrate the incredible dedication, professionalism and heart that define public service employees in California. It’s about recognizing excellence, the very best of public service.
Recipients of the inaugural
Employee of the Year Awards were:
State of California
Porsha Rogers
Seven years of State service, Five years of Club Membership
City of Los Angeles
Larna Jordan
17 years of City service, Nine years of Club Membership
LADWP
Monique Ortiz
27 years of LADWP service, 12 years of Club Membership
LADWP (retired)
Cynthia Billingslea
32 years of LADWP service, 25 years of Club Membership
Lifetime Achievement Award

Event host Arlene Herrero then presented the rarely awarded Club Lifetime Achievement Award to “an extraordinary leader, trailblazer and advocate – Ruth B. Perry.

“Ruth had a remarkable career with the City of Los Angeles. She started as a Clerk Typist in 1991 … and ultimately served as Personnel Officer for LACERS, retiring in 2018. Her work laid a foundation for fairness, professionalism and excellence.”
In retirement, Ruth served “as the first Latina and female president of Retired Los Angeles City Employees, Inc. (RLACEI). She broke barriers and set a powerful example of inclusion and leadership. Her presidency marked a new chapter for the organization and its commitment to diversity. At RLACEI, she championed Retiree benefits, facilitated crucial partnerships, and worked to reform federal laws like the Windfall Elimination Provisions and Government Pension Offset.
“Her legacy is one of strength, advocacy and inspiration.”

CEO Remarks and Swearing In
After welcoming and thanking the Board of Directors, Club Ambassadors, Club staff and creative contributors, Association and Club President and CEO Robert Larios then introduced Club Chief Operating Officer, who swore into office Association Board Member Capt. II Danny Wu, LAFD.
The Club Boards for 2025 consist of:
LACEA (Association) Board of Directors
- Phillipe Chou, LADWP
- Jackie Koci Tamayo, Santa Clara County
- Carlos Rodriguez, LADOT
- Andrew Virzi III, LADWP
- Capt. II Danny Wu, LAFD
LACEA Insurance Services (The Club), all Retired:
- Terry Carter
- Marilyn Holley
- Rose Hyland
- David Muraoka
- Rita Robinson-Kane
- Andrew Virzi Jr.
Corporate Updates
After thanking Club insurance partners AFLAC and Employers First Choice, Club Chief Operating Officer Summy Lam reported on the current development of the new Code of Ethics and Conduct, which protects the Club’s brand and strengthens its partnerships with those who share the Club’s vision. The Code has been in development for several months and will be published in Alive! after it is finalized.
Arlene then introduced Club staff team leaders – Clara Flores, Sr. Accountant; Mariana Guevara, Director of Ticketing and Affinity Programs; Noelle Kauffman, Director of Sales; Guadalupe Lira, Director of Retail and Ecommerce; and Petros Khachatrian, Director of IT – and announced developments and notable achievements from 2024 within each of their departments. For a list of the achievements, readers can refer to the December 2024 issue of Alive!
Keynote Speaker
Pam Roy and the Search for Meaning

After lunch, Robert Larios introduced the afternoon’s keynote speaker, Pam Roy, a writer, philanthropist, filmmaker and tireless advocate for the mental health and wellbeing of children and young adults. She co-founded the Viktor E. Frankl Institute of America and has been greatly influenced by the late Frankl’s work; he wrote the famous book Man’s Search for Meaning, derived from his deep suffering at several concentration camps during the Holocaust. Pam brings Frankl’s life-changing teachings to new generations, transforming lives by fostering a stronger connection to purpose and meaning.
During a fireside chat format, Pam spoke about finding meaning in current times, and took questions from luncheon guests.
A transcript and video of the chat will be available later this spring on the Club’s Facebook page.
CLUB VIDEO
‘Along for the Ride’

Finally, the Club debuted its new direction in Club video – the first installment of its immersive documentary series called “Along for the Ride,” where the Club cameras spend time on the job and using important Club benefits with individual Members, one at a time. The debut featured Cesar Ponce, Traffic Officer; LADOT; Chermaine Fontenette, RCTO, Public Works/Sanitation; and Kirk Broyard, Retired, LADWP. Complications a few days short of filming prevented the inclusion of a fourth Club Member, Scott Walton, State of California, but he was thanked at the luncheon for his passion for the Club.
The first installment of “Along for the Ride” will have its public debut later this spring.
“Along for the Ride” was produced for the Club by Burnes Creative and ÁLAS Media.
Let Club video tell your story! Are you interested in being featured in a future segment of “Along for the Ride”? Email the team at alive@employeesclub.com
Special Thanks


The Club thanks all those who attended, participated and planned the 96th edition of the Club’s annual luncheon, and gives a special shoutout to David and Marie Jamgotchian, who created the event’s design elements.
We’ll see you again in early 2026!