Helen (Brown) Baker was born and grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. After marriage and moving to the Los Angeles area, she continued teaching, in South Central L.A., Los Virgenes Schools, and then at Viewpoint, where her two young daughters attended. Baker was active in the Ebell Club of Los Angeles and Assistance League, where she served as president of her auxilliary. Baker obtained her Real Estate Broker's license when the family moved to Tarzana in 1976 and actively worked in real estate in the San Fernando Valley until 1999 when an investment in a cellular license service area lottery paid off and put her to work as secretary/treasurer for South Carolina Cellular, Inc. When that business was built up and eventually sold to Bell Atlantic Mobile, the family financial situation was significantly improved. While considering a charitable donation, Baker remembered a letter written by Helen Itria Norman, president of the Tarzana Property Owner's Association, who suggested that the property on the corner of Ventura and Vanalden Avenue, then owned by Public Storage Company, would be much better used as a community center, with the trees and open space preserved. Baker became convinced that the corner should belong to the community, and that perhaps she could help to make that dream be realized. With the help of many others who also believed in the dream, and a lot of work, the property was purchased in the spring of 2002, the Tarzana Community Center became a reality, and became an independent 501(c3) the following year as the Tarzana Community and Cultural Center.

Amaris has been a volunteer for most of her adult life. She has particularly enjoyed her seven years as a docent at the Los Angeles Zoo. Her life long interest in Natural History seemed to segue into a career as a travel Agent, which has allowed her to see so many wonderful places in the world. After owning Travel Ticket in Encino for almost 20 years, she now works for World O’Travel in Woodland Hills. Amaris and her husband Philip enjoy their 8 grandchildren who range in age between one and 21 years. They travel a lot around the world but come home in time to volunteer at the TCCC.

Jon Tsuchiyama is proprietor of the West Valley Nursery on Ventura Blvd. across the street from the TCCC. His father Shigeru opened this nursery in 1951. The Center's rose garden "Kay's Garden" was donated in honor of Jon's mother, Kay.

Paul Lawler is the President of Paul Lawler Risk Management, a full service insurance brokerage and risk management company. Paul has operated the company since 1989. He owned and operated the Coast Stereo retail store chain from 1980-1989. Paul attended The University of Chicago before the Reserve activation in 1969 and is an M.B.A. alumnus of California State University Northridge. He also holds two insurance industry designations: Life Underwriting Training Council Fellow and Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter. Paul served as a Navy/Marine Corps Helicopter Aviator, rising to the rank of Lieutenant (O3). He served two tours in Viet Nam and earned several meritorious citations. Lawler is an active member of several Community organizations, and currently is serving or has served in the following positions. Boy Scouts of America Scoutmaster and Wood Badge participant. Optimist International founding President of the Tarzana Club. Los Angeles Parks and Recreation, Park Advisory Board President. American Legion and Jewish War Veterans Life Member of National Post 100 AYSO Senior Level Soccer Coach Trainer, Regional Commissioner and Area Referee. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Level Two designation. Tarzana Chamber of Commerce President 1994-1995, 2000 and 2003 Woodland Hills-Tarzana Chamber of Commerce Vice-Chair Special Events 2007 Woodland Hills-Tarzana Chamber of Commerce Vice-Chair Operations 2008 Tarzana Neighborhood Council Board member and Chair of the Organizational Out Reach Committee.

She is a graduate of UCLA, with a degree in elementary education and experience as an elementary school teacher. In addition, she is a published author of children's books and of magazine articles on a variety of subjects. Since 1976 she has been selling real estate, initially for the Jon Douglas Company, which has evolved into Coldwell Banker. She has been a speaker at real estate symposiums and real estate training programs, as well as a participant on panels about real estate. Her interests include being a sponsor of Lanai Road Elementary School, a supporter of The John Wayne Cancer Society and the American Diabetes Association. The Tarzana Community Cultural Center is of importance to her as it grows to become an integral part of the community.

* Chairman of site committee for the TCCC * TNC Business Representative, Tarzana resident since 1994 * Transportation and Budget Committee representative * Member of the Tarzana Chamber of Commerce * Board of Directors Tarzana Improvement Association * President: Segull Security Systems, Inc. Tarzana * Commercial Property Owner, Shirley Plaza, Tarzana

Ellen Willingham-Carpenter I am a “Val,” born in Van Nuys, raised in Encino, and back to Encino after 12 years in Tarzana. My first encounter with “our corner” was in the ‘50s when my grandmother brought her turtles here to breed with the original statuary owner’s Box Turtles. My grandfather owned an ice-cream store in the Brown Center, and my parents would park my siblings and me there while they shopped at the Fox Market (later Food Fair Market and then Mann Theaters). Except for a 3 year stint as a photographic retoucher, and before retiring 15 years ago, my career was as an administrative secretary for, among others, Remo, Inc., Valley Cable TV (now Time Warner), and American Business Communications. My former husband and I met at Remo, Inc. and we now own Hamilton Stands, Inc. of Lebanon, Ohio, a one hundred year old manufacturing company of sheet music and instrument stands. My “hobby” is putting on reunions (four for my Reseda High School class) and, two years ago, a 25 year company reunion celebrating the start-up of Valley Cable TV. I have one son (also born, raised and still residing in the Valley!), who I’m hoping someday will make me a grandmother. Until that time, I stay busy in the day-to-day affairs of T.C.C.C.

A business transactions lawyer, Ms. Williams has served in numerous professional and community organizations from legal counsel for senior citizen centers to Family Law advocacy on behalf of the indigent. Her current practice interest is in the area of intellectual property as its legal applications evolve with today's technology. A past president of The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law, Ms. Williams is currently a California Bench and Bar Coalition (BBC) representative. Comprised of State judges and bar leaders the BBC offers legislative lobbying and other advocacy on behalf of the State's judicial system. Ms. Williams is Chair of the Black Women Lawyers' (BWL) Judicial Evaluations and Nominations Committee which provides for BWL endorsement of judicial candidates. Ms. Williams is a Board of Supervisors Appointee to the County's Workforce Investment Board. Spearheaded during her presidency and tenure with Jack and Jill of America, San Fernando Valley Chapter, she has a long term involvement in coordinating community and children's activities within the San Fernando Valley.

Tarzana has been my home for the past thirty plus years. My previous centers of gravity include Northern California, Texas and Montana. While living in Tarzana, I became an art educator teaching art/art history to elementary students at Serrania Ave. School in Woodland Hills. I have also been a docent for the Topanga Canyon Docents. On October 6, 2002 the First Event held at the TCCC -- I initiated a Dream and Draw Art Contest. The goal of the contestants was to depict proposed future activities at the Center. Suggestions included singing, dancing, gardening, game playing, arts/crafts and community meetings.

Mitch McKnight has been a valley resident for many years. He was raised in Woodland Hills and now he and his family live in the Tarzana area. A 23 year veteran of the Fire Department, he now has the opportunity to train the citizens of Los Angeles to prepare for disasters. He has trained nearly 12,000 as of 2010, and now holds the position of Senior Instructor. In addition to being both a Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician, Mitch is also a State Certified Fire Instructor. His experience includes working at Fire Stations throughout the South Central area as well as the San Fernando Valley. He has held assignments in the areas of Training and Fire Prevention. In addition to all this, Mitch is also a lead member of the Department’s Critical Incident Stress Management Team and is involved in debriefing members after particularly traumatic incidents. He was greatly honored to have been named Public Safety Official of the Year in 2009 in the Greater Los Angeles area. Mitch is the proud owner of what he calls ‘the greatest dogs ever’, Sparky and Murphy and works them as Therapy Dogs at Providence Tarzana Hospital. He is always looking for ways to improve the community and is honored to serve on the Board at Tarzana Community Cultural Center.