Jim Lynch Hits the Road

(Originally appeared in the July 1, 2004 edition of the Century City News)

Jim Lynch is still burning the midnight oil.  Beverly Hills oil, that is.  July 12th marked Lynch’s official switch from Century City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director and CEO to heading up the chamber in Beverly Hills.  Some things never change, despite geography.  

“At least I’m not doing a midnight council meeting tonight. It’s good because I could use the sleep,” says an ambitious, yet calm and collected Lynch from his new Beverly Hills office, fresh from a three-day string of late-night city council meetings and 7 a.m. mornings. 

“I’ve just got a lot of stuff to take care of. I jumped right in from day one,” continues the Pasadena native, who is now working with the Los Angeles City Council on the Montage Hotel Project, a plan to replace some older buildings and a parking lot in Beverly Hills’ Golden Triangle with a five-star luxury hotel complete with retail, public gardens, and water treatments.

As Lynch gets straight to work a few miles away, the impression he leaves on the people and the businesses in Century City remains indelible. 

July 16th would have celebrated Marianne Klein’s fifth year working with Lynch at the Century City Chamber. “We’re a three-member office here, so I’ve always worked very closely with Jim as the Director of Membership,” says Klein, who has accumulated much respect for Lynch, as both a professional and a friend.  “He’s a walking dictionary and encyclopedia about the city, the population, development, and political issues.”

Many agree that Lynch’s knack for public service has been specifically instrumental in making The Century City Chamber what it is today.  

“I think he made the chamber a better place, a more amicable place,” continues Klein, “He made people feel welcome to the chamber as opposed to before he came. He was always so hospitable that it gave the chamber a better image.  I hear from others that ours is the best chamber in the vicinity--that it has never been run like this.”  

Stefan Pollack, current chair of the Century City Chamber’s Board of Directors and Vice President and CFO of The Pollack PR Marketing Group, was on the search committee that hired Lynch.  “In a nutshell,” says Pollack, “I have worked with Jim in just about every capacity.” 

Pollack’s meticulous remembrance of Lynch’s Century City achievements provides a good breakdown of Lynch’s impact on the community:

“During Jim's tenure with our chamber we had a lot of exciting things happen,” Pollack begins. “We saw our Golf Tournament grow to become our single biggest networking event and fundraiser in our history.  We reformatted and repurposed our Annual Luncheon and Citizen of the Year event, enabling it to grow and become one of the City's ‘must attend’ events. Jim also possesses a wonderful personal nature about him that allowed our chamber to become a warmer and friendlier environment.  Additionally, he brought greater civic and government visibility to our chamber on key issues that involved our entire community, such as…the recent hospital change over, as well as the many non-profit and charity activities that our chamber and Century City as a whole, rallies behind.”

But which of his Century City contributions makes Lynch, himself, most proud?  

“Something I’m really happy about that we were able to do during my time in Century City was build the MGM Tower and get unanimous approval from the Los Angeles City Council to develop the new 2000 Avenue of the Stars Project,” Lynch says modestly. “Those are two big achievements that I’m very pleased about.”

Lynch has also left his mark on several projects that are still ongoing in Century City today.  He worked to devise the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan for all of Century City—a safety measure taken to ensure readiness in the event of a natural disaster or terrorist attack.  Due to the concentrated nature of the office towers and their occupants, a plan like this will continuously evolve. Additionally, the enduring Santa Monica Blvd. construction project is the largest street improvement project in the history of Los Angeles, and Lynch helped to coordinate it everyday by inspecting the site to ensure that people could get to and from work safely.  

The breaking-in process typical with a new CEO will be much smoother in Beverly Hills this summer thanks to Lynch’s experience in Century City.  “The same issues that face businesses in Century City are a lot of the same issues that face businesses in Beverly Hills,” says Michael Robinson, Director of Communications at the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce. “So even from a big picture perspective, it’s going to be a much smoother transition, I’m sure.”

Lynch’s move to Beverly Hills does not mean a complete shift away from Century City, however.  Key to Lynch’s continued involvement in Century City is his leadership of the Entertainment Industry Council, which he began during his time in Century City.  The  collaborative effort involves five chambers, including the Beverly Hills, Century City, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, and the Los Angeles Area Chambers of Commerce. “Lynch may no longer have authority as to the Century City Chamber’s organization,” adds Klein, “but when it comes to The Entertainment Industry Council, he will still be able to make decisions that may ultimately affect us in this chamber.”

While Lynch’s ties to Century City should remain strong, the chamber will undergo a definite adjustment period.  “Right now, we’re in mourning,” says Klein, “It depends on who takes over his leadership. He will be difficult to replace.”  

While there are several applicants eager to fill Lynch’s shoes, no decisions have been made just yet.  The Century City Chamber hopes to locate someone by August 1st.

Pollack is confident that Lynch’s legacy in Century City will nurture the chamber’s new leader.  “Jim leaving our chamber obviously leaves us with a great void to fill,” says Pollack, “but we are excited about our future, as Jim brought our chamber to a wonderful platform that any new person coming into the position will have to grow from.”

In late July, the Los Angeles City Council will honor Lynch for his years of service to the Los Angeles area.  From his venerated and evolving position, where does Lynch see Century City going?

Lynch replies, simply, “I think Century City has a great nucleus of people and a lot of dedicated volunteers that put together some wonderful programs, and I think they’ll do just fine.”

Citizen of the Year

(This article originally appeared in the May 13th, 2013 edition of the Century City News)

by Michael Douglas Carlin

A year and a half I have sat next to Carl Schlossberg who has recently been named Citizen of the Year by the Century City Chamber of Commerce. I have sat next to him at the Art Council and the Sculpture Committee meetings and I have been his student. I have listened to his eloquent talks about the importance of art. I have learned to appreciate so much more the expressions of artists that enrich our lives. I was there that very first day when he presented his vision for the very first curated public art show along Avenue of the Stars. He bridged the gap for all of us newbies to public art by showing us how it would look. He spoon fed us until his vision became our vision. He spoon fed the building managers, city officials, board of the Chamber, sponsors, landscaping experts, building inspectors, and publicity people. We all had the experience of a lifetime as we walked the project through from inception to fruition. We all learned from his skilled hand and benefitted from knowledge he spent his lifetime acquiring.

We grew from the experience. We were all touched by his passion for the arts. We all borrowed his tremendous stature in the world of art and it is time to recognize the heft he has brought to Century City to match the heft that is all around us within this “one of a kind” community.

The previous Citizens of the Year have all been worthy recipients but honoring Carl Schlossberg has a special sweetness as he has giving us the gift of art to appreciate in Century City.

2013 CENTURY CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR EVENT HONORS
CARL SCHLOSBERG AND
ROBINS, KAPLAN, MILLER & CIRESI L.L.P.


The Century City Chamber of Commerce announced its Citizen of the Year honorees for 2013: Carl Schlosberg, Fine Arts Dealer and Curator, and Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P, a litigation-focused law firm that has gained national recognition for its pro bono representations. An awards luncheon will take place at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on Thursday, May 23, 2013. For more than 30 years, the Century City Chamber of Commerce has selected an individual and company who exemplify excellence in corporate and community relations to bestow its highest civic recognition award, Citizen of the Year. Keynote Speaker, Dan Schnur, Director of the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at USC, will address the audience at this annual event that attracts more than 200 civic leaders and business professionals from the greater Los Angeles area. As an expert in political strategy, campaign communication and government reform, Dan will share insight on the race results for Los Angeles’ Mayor, City Controller and City Attorney, which are held two days prior to the awards luncheon.

Carl Schlosberg, the 2013 Individual Citizen of the Year, has been a fine arts dealer for more than 40 years. He has exhibited sculpture in the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills to the fields and parks of Malibu. Carl’s most recent project was as curator of the one-mile outdoor exhibition, “Gwynn Murrill on Avenue of the Stars.”

Carl has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles magazine, Daily News and other notable publications. Carl has been Chairman of the Sculpture Garden Committee of the University of Judaism; has led private tours of major sculpture gardens in the Northeast; and is a founder of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and the Skirball Cultural Center. He currently chairs the Sculpture Committee of the Century City Chamber of Commerce Arts Council.


The 2013 Corporate Citizen of the Year, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P., is a litigation firm with clients from Fortune 500 corporations and emerging markets to entrepreneurs and individuals as both plaintiffs and defendants. The firm, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary and has more than 240 lawyers located in Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York and Naples, FL, has long been recognized for its pro bono work.

Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. has received The National Law Journal’s 2011 Pro Bono Award and was selected as a Pro Bono Firm of 2010 by Law360. The American Lawyer ranked the firm eighth in the country in the 2011 Pro Bono Survey, and twice named the firm to the A-List (2007 and 2004). The firm has also regularly received a top ranking for litigation from Chambers USA and was chosen as a “Go-To Law Firm” by Corporate Counsel. Its Century City office is comprised of approximately 40 attorneys and is the recipient of the Citizen of the Year award.

“We are thrilled to name Carl Schlosberg and Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi as our Individual and Corporate Citizens of the Year,” says Susan Bursk, President and CEO of the Century City Chamber of Commerce. “They are dedicated to serving the needs of those in the local community and beyond, making them very deserving of the award.”

Sponsors include Century Park, Watt Plaza, Fox Studios, Williams Data Management, Westfield, The Plaza, Constellation Place, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, L.L.P., and Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. The 2013 Citizen of the Year Awards Luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. To reserve your seat or company table, please visit the Chamber’s website at: www.centurycitycc.com or call the office at 310-553-2222.

The Century City Chamber of Commerce is a vibrant and dynamic organization, and one of Los Angeles’ most active, involved and relationship-driven chambers. The Chamber places special emphasis on its members working together through its councils to build better relationships and create effective programs and events that help businesses expand their reach into the marketplace. For more information on the Chamber, visit our website or contact our office.

Samantha Martinez Takes The Gavel At The Century City Chamber

(This article originally appeared in the Feb 8th, 2011 print edition of the Century City News)

Samantha Martinez takes over the heavy gavel at the Century City Chamber of Commerce. Heavy because of the legacy of those that preceded her but in her hands the gavel appears to move effortlessly.

There is something happening over at the Century City Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is rising to new heights. I credit the staff, Starlyn and Amber that are dedicated to their jobs. I also credit Chamber President and CEO, Susan Bursk. The Executive Committee and the Board, too, have been proactive through a tough economy. The many council chairs and committee members have also done their part to put on interesting events and attract new membership. Samantha picks up the gavel at a time when the Chamber is firing on all cylinders. But the spirit of complacency has no place here and Samantha isn’t about to rest on Chamber Laurels.

I recently attended a retreat for the board of directors put on by the Chamber. The day began early and breakfast was provided along with really strong coffee (a must for early mornings). The discussion centered on building value for members and our role as directors of the board. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky opened the meeting calling on all of us to stay involved in Government at this critical time in the history of Los Angeles. Zev knows that Century City by definition means involvement.

I was reminded about a recent board meeting where there was a spirited discussion about endorsing a measure that was on the California ballot. Some were for the measure and some against… but more than the discussion was the process that was at play here. The myth of a rubberstamp board was dispelled, as was the myth that the chamber is the puppet of a few of the building managers. Samantha led the discussion. Samantha allowed all of the stakeholders with a dog in this fight adequate time.

Opinions from all sides of the issue were heard and the vote was taken. The result was a function of the votes: No back room deals… no coercion! This is a functional Chamber in a functional part of the city amidst so many dysfunctional companies, clubs and organizations that are in Los Angeles. The members that get so much from their Chamber Membership are those that work their membership by participating. Those that choose not to participate my not get as much out of their memberships but the opportunity to capitalize on membership’s value is available for everybody that sits at the table and the Chamber invites more to join and avail themselves of the value that is offered.

Mike Holwick is the immediate past Chairman of the Board and comes with a pedigree of three generations of involvement in Century City. Samantha is the previous Chair of the Government Affairs Council and sits at the intersection of Chamber Activities and access to Government Officials. Samantha is well versed on all of the issues that government struggles to solve and as Chairperson of the Chamber sits ready to give her opinion to officials when she is asked. They would do well to listen to the answers as they might find their struggle to overcome challenges less entangled when listening to Samantha’s voice of reason. Samantha waits patiently to allow all points of view to be heard before summing up all of those opinions into an intelligent platform that everyone somehow agrees with.

Just when you thought the Chamber had peaked and risen to the heights that limit it… you find that there is a plan in play to reach new heights never before thought to be attainable. Those who looked at Chamber Membership in the past and failed to hear the call need to revisit the value of Chamber Membership and get involved in shaping a new, more vibrant, and more important, Century City. Samantha is sure to be an important part of ushering in this new era.

Michael Douglas Carlin is the director of the movies Luvicide and American Federale. Recently he completed a ten-year stint as the Publisher and Editor of the Century City News. Here his articles turned into three books: Rise a Knight, A Prescription for Peace, and Peaceful Protests.