The Los Angeles City Tourism Board of Commissioners is composed of five members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. The City Tourism Department (CTD) Executive Director reports directly to the Board.
The Board of Commissioners is responsible for:
- Advising the Mayor and City Council on tourism, marketing the City, and Convention Center business and operations.
- Directing the Executive Director and overseeing public/private partnerships with the private operator of the Convention Center and the convention and visitors bureau.
- Advising on matters related to developing a strategic plan for tourism and hotel development.
- Providing recommendations on rates.
Meeting Information
The Board meets on the first and third Wednesdays of every month at 9:00am. Please refer to the meeting agendas below for information on how to attend Board meetings.
Current Board Members
- Jon F. Vein, President
Jon Vein is an entrepreneur, civic leader and philanthropist. Jon co-founded and served as the CEO of MarketShare, a leading cloud-based, big data marketing analytics and software company. With eight offices around the world, MarketShare had a significant impact on allocating over $200 billion in marketing investments for more than half of the Fortune 50 companies. In 2016, after MarketShare was acquired by Neustar, Mr. Vein moved on to pursue other endeavors in the public and private sectors. In 2016 and 2017, Jon was recognized as one of the 500 Most Influential People in Los Angeles by The Los Angeles Business Journal, and he was a winner of the 2016 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Prior to MarketShare, Jon served as Chief Operating Officer of Michael Ovitz's AMG (Artists Management Group) and APG (Artists Production Group), overseeing all divisions, including talent, animation, sports, music, publishing and feature film production. Before joining AMG/APG, he was Chief Operating Officer of Film Roman, the premier independent animation production company in the United States.
An Emmy Award winner, Jon produced many film and television projects, including King of the Hill, The Simpsons, and the acclaimed Swimming with Sharks. Jon started his entertainment career as a founding partner of noted entertainment law firm Dern & Vein.
Jon serves on the boards of many other organizations, including the US Fund for UNICEF’s Southern California Region, the California Science Center and the California Cultural and Historic Endowment. Jon graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a B.S., double-majoring in Material Sciences and Engineering and Electrical Engineering-Computer Science with high honors, and received his J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School.
- Kathleen Rawson, Vice President
Kathleen Rawson has more than 30 years of experience in hospitality and place management. Rawson currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the Hollywood Partnership, the non-profit organization that manages the Hollywood Entertainment District, including the world-renowned Walk of Fame. Before her new role in Hollywood, Rawson served as CEO of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM, Inc.) from 1997 to 2022.
During her time in Santa Monica, Rawson expanded DTSM, Inc.'s role within the halls of influence and tackled new responsibilities that helped shape Downtown Santa Monica into one of the country's most dynamic and attractive urban districts. Rawson successfully transformed the award-winning placemaking organization into the largest property-based assessment district, by budget, in the State of California and implemented a hospitality and maintenance program that amplified the impact of city services and evolved into one of the most extensive programs in the country.
In addition, Rawson diversified the DTSM, Inc. board to include residents, business owners, property owners, and city officials and increased staff capacity from five to 14 place management professionals. Rawson also spearheaded the creation of a community treasure, Ice at Santa Monica, a seasonal outdoor ice-skating rink two blocks from the beach.
Her passion for helping transform organizations into agents for positive change in her community goes beyond her work at The Hollywood Partnership and DTSM, Inc., extending into her private life as well. Rawson previously served as chair of the International Downtown Association and the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation, was past president of the Kehillat Israel Synagogue, a member of the Santa Monica History Museum board, and a former member of the boards for Turning Point Transitional Housing Shelter, Santa Monica AIDS Project, and Southern California Women for Understanding.
- Taelor I. Bakewell
Taelor has been able to create effective, quality, and long-standing change within her community through a balance of streamlined messaging and grassroots initiatives.
As Vice President of Influencer Marketing at the largest PR firm in the world, she has paired top talent and influencers like Serena Williams and Chloe Bailey to major multi-million-dollar partnerships with brands like DoorDash, the American Egg Board, Dairy Management, Inc., HP Adobe and more.
Prior to joining Edelman, Taelor served as the official spokesperson for one of the largest utilities in the country, Southern California Edison (SCE), where she dealt with some of the toughest environmental issues facing the country. Prior to SCE, she was the Digital Director for the Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper and the Head of Public Relations for California’s largest festival, Taste of Soul, where she managed relationships with clients like Cedars Sinai, Bank of America, McDonald’s, LA Dodgers and Hyundai.
Taelor was appointed by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and unanimously confirmed by City Council as a commissioner for the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, on which she served from 2021 to 2023. Taelor was then appointed by Mayor Karen Bass in 2023 to the Los Angeles City Tourism Board of Commissioners.
- Angelia Shepperd
Angelia Shepperd has more than 25 years of experience in the music, television, and film industries. She currently serves as the Vice President of Career Development at the Los Angeles Film School, where she guides graduates in effectively pursuing and sustaining careers. Angelia is also the Founder and CEO of ABS Collective, providing entertainment consulting and production services, specializing in strategic planning, sponsorship outreach, and event production logistics.
Angelia has worked with prominent leaders and brands, including Netflix, Live Nation, Stevie Wonder, HBO Diversity Marketing, The Motion Picture Academy (OSCARS), The Guild of Music Supervisors, and The Black Entertainment Sports Lawyers Association. Prior to founding ABS Collective, Angelia served as Vice President at The Recording Academy (GRAMMYs), where she managed membership outreach efforts, programs, and services nationwide. During her 13-year tenure, she was instrumental in launching initiatives, such as The Recording Academy Honors and the GRAMMY University Network. With Angelia’s keen sense of business acumen, she excels at building high-performing teams, fostering diversity, and driving organizations toward success.
Commissioner Shepperd champions the impact of the arts to enrich lives and transform communities. She remains actively involved in organizations that support charitable efforts, community service, and professional development. Angelia is a member of The Recording Academy, The Guild of Music Supervisors, and Leading Women Defined. She also served as a Trustee for the Center of Early Education. Angelia has two children and resides in Los Angeles with her husband.
Notice to City Tourism Department Industry Professionals
If you are compensated to interact with the Los Angeles City Tourism Department, City law may require you to register as a lobbyist and report your activity. Any individual may qualify as a lobbyist, regardless of occupation, education, training, or professional title. A lobbyist may hold a position that includes but is not limited to attorney, CEO, consultant, government liaison, business owner, permit applicant, engineer, expediter, land developer, festival and event servicers, mobility and accommodation servicers, destination programmers, architects, entertainment managers, various real estate professionals and others.
More information is available online through the Ethics Commission’s lobbying program and publication pages. For assistance, please contact the Ethics Commission.