Veritas Public Affairs & Government Relations

10/02/2023

Today, I had the privilege of cheering on yet another friend to answer the call to public service. Judge Songhai Armstead ret. was sworn in as the Director of the Los Angeles County Justice, Care and Opportunities Department. Three years ago, she was tasked with standing up a new department that would implement the County’s Care First, Jails Last vision. As someone who has spent her life advocating for our most vulnerable as an LA City Neighborhood Prosecutor and later as an LA County Superior Court Judge, Songhai brings lived experience, ingenuity, passion and leadership to this position.

09/29/2023

Congratulations to Los Angeles County Business Federation and BizFed‘s CEO, Tracy R. Hernandez, on another successful Freshman Policymakers reception, honoring newly elected officials representing LA County residents at all levels of government. My heart is full to see longtime friends, such as Miguel Santiago, Imelda Padilla, Thomas Wong and Andrea Alarcon, answer the call to public service. As a former staffer, I can attest that elected life isn’t just a job, it’s a lifestyle. Thanks to Veritas Public Affairs & Government Relations client, Allied Universal, for keeping our historic Union Station safe. Special thanks to Brissa Sotelo-Vargas for the kind invitation. 

05/04/2023

Celebrating my three-year work anniversary this week. Doesn’t feel like work when it’s your passion.

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” Luke 12:48

04/30/2023

My client, Park La Brea, is a regional leader among housing providers implementing GHG reduction strategies.

SB1383 requires the separation of green waste from other trash. LA City introduced a composting program, Organics Recycling, to meet the state’s requirement. The goal is to reduce organic waste in landfills by 70% by 2025.

Landfills are California’s 3rd largest source of methane, a GHG that’s 10x more potent than carbon dioxide. 30% of waste going to landfills is organic waste while 14-18% is food waste. That’s all compostable!

Park La Brea found a composting partner in Athens Services, a 60-year old, family owned recycling, organics and waste collection company, and the largest recycling company in LA County. PLB increased recycle bins and introduced composting as a valuable way to reduce GHG emissions and move the needle to zero waste.

As the largest housing provider this side of the Mississippi, with 4,250 RSO units, over 11k residents and 200 employees, spanning 150 acres, PLB feels an obligation to set an example on this and other sustainability efforts.

Listen to LAist’s How to LA interview with PLB’s VP of Operations, Aryn Thomez, ARM®, CPM®.

Listen to this episode from How To LA on Spotify. #94: Are you all composting at home? Well, you should be, because we're now kind of required to by law! California’s landmark composting mandate went into effect in January of 2022. It states that all residents and businesses must separate “green...

04/25/2023

AltaSea takes another step in its blue technology dream — with a major solar panel project now online.