For Immediate Release
Press contact:
Fred Muir/ For CCA
310-278-9321
[email protected]
The Central City Association Honors
“Treasures of Los Angeles”
21st Annual Event Recognizes Comics Superhero Stan Lee,
Downtown’s Carol Schatz and City Councilmember Tom
LaBonge as ‘Spirit of Los Angeles’
LOS ANGELES (May 14, 2015) – The Central City Association of Los Angeles today honored
outstanding individuals who made significant contributions to this city at its 21st Annual
“Treasures of Los Angeles” luncheon event today.
The “Treasures of Los Angeles” event celebrates the diversity, strength and excellence of the
city of Los Angeles and seeks to honor leaders and organizations that have made an exceptional
impact on the community.
This year’s Treasure of Los Angeles awardees were:
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Stan Lee, Chairman Emeritus, Marvel Comics & CCO/Founder, POW! Entertainment. Lee
created many of the world’s most memorable superheroes in comics, TV and the big screen.
Howard Marks, Managing Partner of the business accelerator StartEngine, LLC, who is on a
quest to make Los Angeles one of the great technology centers of the world.
Gina Marie Lindsey, Executive Director, Los Angeles World Airports, who led the $7 billion
remaking of LAX into a world class airport
Carol E. Schatz, President and CEO of the CCA, was honored with the organization’s highest
award, the Heart of the City, for her 25 years of service to the organization and for leading the
Downtown renaissance. Schatz, who also founded and is president and CEO of the Downtown
Center Business Improvement District, brought a vision of a new, vibrant downtown to Los
Angeles and made it happen.
City Councilmember Tom LaBonge was recognized with a special “Spirit of Los Angeles” award
for his lifetime of dedication to public service and unparalleled passion for Los Angeles.
The event was held at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites in Downtown Los Angeles with
special participation by the Honorable Eric Garcetti, Mayor of Los Angeles and Herb J. Wesson,
Jr., President, Los Angeles City Council.
The sponsors included AEG (Title Sponsor), Brookfield (Host Sponsor).
Presenting Sponsors included Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Hazens Group/Jia Yuan USA, Co.,
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, System Property Development Company, Inc.
Sapphire Sponsors included The Broad Foundation, Greenland USA/Metropolis, Los Angeles
Dodgers, University of Southern California, LBA Realty, Los Angeles Downtown News and
Rising Realty Partners.
Over the past 20 years, CCA has awarded “Treasures” to many deserving individuals and local
organizations, including Vin and Sandra Scully, Placido Domingo, USO of Greater Los Angeles,
Padres Contra El Cancer, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Eli Broad, Tom Gilmore, Tommy Lasorda,
Larry King, and Ray Charles.
Central City Association is celebrating its 91st year serving as the voice of Downtown Los
Angeles and a powerful lobbying force for the entire business community in local government
and in Sacramento. CCA is recognized as the driving force in the revitalization of Downtown
L.A., working in partnership with the Downtown Center Business Improvement District to
enhance and promote the area.
About Central City Association of Los Angeles
Central City Association of Los Angeles (CCA) is L.A.’s premier business advocacy organization,
shaping public policy on a broad range of issues and leading the renaissance in Downtown Los
Angeles. Established in 1924, CCA is a membership organization representing more than 450
businesses, trade associations, and non-profit organizations employing more than 350,000
people in Los Angeles County. Further information about Central City Association can be found
on its website at CCALA.org.
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