July 19, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Leadership Changes for the Westwood Village Improvement Association

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

in News
Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Nearly $1B Secured for Refinancing of Westfield Century City Mall

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The proceeds will replace a $925 million commercial mortgage-backed securities loan, originally issued by Morgan Stanley in 2023 and due...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays...

Tesla Seen Nearly Crashing into West LA Home After Collision

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

Footage depicted a blue Prius on the road with significant front-end damage A crash involving injuries was reported around 12:30...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

Hundreds of Red-Legged Frog Tadpoles Released in Santa Monica Mountains

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Once widespread in California, red-legged frogs vanished from the Santa Monica Mountains by the 1970s Nearly 600 California red-legged frog...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

Westwood Village Board to Discuss Public Art Initiative

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The initiative aims to enhance community pride, boost local business revenue, and address urban blight through public art corridors and...

Beverly Hills Plans Major Apartment Development Near Civic Center

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The site, currently holding 13 residential units, is slated for demolition to make way for the new development A proposal...

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...