SCCOG Selects New Board Members
City of Los Angeles Lends Support with Passing of City Council Resolution

Los Angeles, Calif. – November 29, 2005 – The Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games (SCCOG) today announced it has added 11 community and industry leaders to its Board of Directors. Board members were selected for their knowledge of the Southern California market, as well as their community reach and philanthropic involvement.

This action follows the SCCOG and City of Los Angeles announcement in September, regarding Los Angeles’ intention to bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games, pending a United States Olympic Committee decision relative to selecting a U.S. candidate city. 

“With these new board members, we continue to gather together a new generation of civic and community leaders around our important community mission.  All are devoted to the Olympic ideals and to our great city,” said SCCOG Chairman Barry Sanders.

New board members are:

• Rhonda Brauer – Managing Director, Burson-Marsteller
• Dr. Yvonne Chan – Principal/Director, Vaughn Next Century Learning Center Charter School
• Robert A. Eckert – Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Mattel, Inc.
• Russ Hagey – Partner and Managing Director, Bain & Company
• Joe R. Hicks – Vice President, Community Advocates, Inc.
• Bruce Karatz – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, KB Home
• Dominic Ng – Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, East West Bank
• Christopher R. Pook – Founder, The Grand Prix Association of Long Beach
• James E. Press – President and Chief Operating Officer, Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
• Julia A. Stewart – President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, IHOP Corp.
• Jay S. Wintrob – President and Chief Executive Officer, AIG Retirement Services, Inc

Separately, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of the City’s bid in September.  The resolution was signed by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Eighth District Council member Bernard Parks, and Fourth District Council member Tom LaBonge.

Formed in 1939, the SCCOG is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the Olympic Movement in Southern California.  Since its inception, it has been the Olympic bidding agency for Los Angeles, garnering the award of the Games for 1984.  Further information about the SCCOG can be found on their web site at www.sccog.org.