Michael Russell takes over for Andrew Thomas to lead BID
The following is a letter from Andrew Thomas, former Executive Director of Westwood Village Improvement Association who has left to become the CEO of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.
Dear Westwood Village Stakeholders,
Eleven years ago, I joined the Westwood Village Improvement Association (WVIA) as its founding Executive Director. It is with mixed emotions that I inform you that effective September 1st, I am leaving the WVIA to pursue a new opportunity.
I am extremely proud of the accomplishments of the past 11 years. Our clean and safe programs reversed decades-old trends of neglect and disrepair. Our marketing and promotional efforts gave our businesses a voice, and our WVIA Board of Directors took important policy positions that set up our district for success.
There are so many people to acknowledge for their roles in moving our community forward during my tenure, none more than our WVIA Board members who volunteer their time for the betterment of Westwood Village. Since our first Board meeting in August of 2011, dozens of Westwood Village property owners, business owners, and UCLA representatives have served on the WVIA Board of Directors. It has been my pleasure to work with these generous individuals, and to learn from them.
I have also been fortunate to work with amazing team members, and the success of the WVIA would not be possible without their efforts. Our WVIA staff’s dedication and creativity allow us to overcome so many obstacles. I am particularly awed when I think of the efforts of our team during the onset of COVID-19, and the civil unrest we experienced in the summer of 2020. Those were uncertain times and WVIA staff went above and beyond to ensure our stakeholders were informed and safe.
I could easily go on thanking the many people, property owners, businesses, organizations, City staff, Metro staff, elected officials – especially Councilmember Koretz and his team – plus our terrific friends throughout UCLA who have helped us in countless ways, but if I did, this newsletter would never end. To our great community friends and supporters, I hope it suffices to say that I and all Westwood Village stakeholders recognize your contributions, and we value you more than you know.
While I am sad to leave my position, I am heartened by the hiring of new WVIA Executive Director, Michael Russell. Michael comes to the WVIA with a wealth of business improvement district experience. This experience combined with his enthusiasm and tenacity have convinced me that he is the right individual to lead the WVIA into the future. Michael’s email address is michael@thewestwoodvillage.com and I encourage you to welcome him to our community.
It has been a pleasure and a privilege serving as your Executive Director. I now look forward to my new role cheering on the leadership in Westwood Village as they advance our district into the future.
Sincerely,
Andrew Thomas
Executive Director, WVIA
The following is a letter from Michael Russell, the new Executive Director for WVIA
Dear Westwood Village Stakeholders,
I am very enthusiastic about this opportunity to serve as the Executive Director for the Westwood Village BID. Having grown up in West Los Angeles, my family has been coming to Westwood since the early ’80s and I feel strongly that this is a very exciting time for the Village. With the updates to the Westwood Village Specific Plan, Purple Line Extension, 2028 Olympics, and a new Community Plan, there is no doubt that we will continue to help our stakeholders and the Village thrive.
I bring with me 15 years of experience in the Business Improvement District (BID) industry, previously serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the Gateway LA BID, Executive Director to the Culver City Arts District BID, and Operations Director and subsequently the Executive Director of Wilshire Center BID. I formerly served as Chair of the LAPD Community Police Advisory Board and a Member of the County of Los Angeles Assessor Advisory Council. As a native to Los Angeles, I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and earned a Master of Science in Public Administration from the California State University of Los Angeles.
Michael Russell
Executive Director
