Three candidates threw their hats in the ring for the three open Board seats. In alphabetical order by last name:

Crista Copp

Crista is a write-in candidate because she declared her candidacy after the cut-off for nominations.

Four years ago, Crista Copp arrived home after a 2-hour commute from Loyola Marymount University (LMU) to her home in Long Beach and announced she was moving to Westchester. It took over 6 months, and a lot of juggling, then her family found themselves owning in Kentwood. Having already been familiar with the neighborhood, Crista has immersed herself in our local community through university events, school events, and connecting with various groups. She loves the “Mayberry” feel of our community, from parades to local eateries; our community is a special haven in the middle of Los Angeles.

Crista has a 2nd grader at WISH Elementary, as well as a senior at Loyola Marymount University. Her husband now does the reverse commute to California State University, Long Beach.

At LMU, Crista serves as the Director of Educational Technology Services and Support, in charge of strategies, procedures, and oversight of day-to-day operations of technology. With a staff of 25 full-time employees, and 60 graduate and undergraduate students, her group is organized into five teams: Instructional Technology, Classroom and Creative Services, Training and Communications, Research Services, and the ITS Service Desk. Crista has also served as an adjunct professor in the LMU’s School of Education, having earned her Ed.D. in educational leadership and administration, from the University of California, Irvine.

Crista has served on numerous boards, including as the Vice-Chair for international non-profit educational technology board, where she oversaw million dollar budgets and programs. Crista is always looking for new ways to make the world a better place and her leadership and budgeting experience will no doubt provide useful assets to the Kentwood Home Guardians. Crista strives for integrity, transparency, and communication, while finding the best logical solutions. She is excited to give back in a new way to the community that has given her so much.

Aaron Torrence

Aaron Torrence and his family moved to Westchester six years ago. Aaron cannot live without sushi and spends his weekends on creating adventures with his family. When he’s not cycling across Malibu Canyon up along the coast of California, he spends quality time with his wife Jane and their two adorable boys Nico and Owen. His sons attend WISH Charter and COOS. The Torrence family is famously known for entertaining intimate social parties for family and friends.

Aaron went to Woodbury University in Burbank and Harvard Graduate School of Design. He started his architectural design firm in 2008 on the belief that great design comes from great relationships. He also operates Torrence Workshop, a general contracting company that builds custom residential, commercial, and hospitality projects throughout Southern California.

Starting his career in 1996, Aaron worked for WWCOT in Santa Monica, where his projects included UCLA, DirecTV, USC, and Kaiser Permanente.

From 2000-2006, Aaron was an Associate and Project Architect at Steven Ehrlich Architects in Culver City where his experience included the award-winning Kendall Square Biotech Laboratory in Cambridge, MA; the award-winning design for LAUSD New Middle School #4; and master plan and design of the Northeast Campus at the historic Van de Kamp Bakery for Los Angeles City College.

From 2006-2008, he joined a young design-build company, Dcon and brought his unique design ability coupled with proven management techniques to a number of high-profile projects throughout Greater Los Angeles. During his tenure at Dcon he worked on over 30 design-build residential, commercial, art galleries, architect offices, and speculative development projects.

Deborah Wettstein

Deborah Wettstein has recently arrived in North Kentwood, with her husband Tom, after spending 20 years in the South Bay community of Old Torrance. Attracted by a now familiar tree lined neighborhood and the welcoming spirit of so many Westchester residents, both are looking forward to an equally long stay in their new home and helping to support their new community.

Also as a home/property owner for 15 years in Tahoe Donner (Truckee, CA) and a member of their HOA, Deborah has come to understand the value of stewardship to preserve community standards.

CFO of Indian Paintbrush, a Santa Monica, CA based film production company, Deborah largely provides financial oversight to the company’s operations/film projects/talent arrangements through all stages of development, budgeting, financing, production, and distribution. Prior to joining Indian Paintbrush, Deborah held senior roles in finance, where she directed day-to-day financial/accounting operations and participated in negotiations of key banking/distribution/international relationships.

Deborah has an MBA from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business.

In consideration as a KHG board candidate, Deborah hopes to contribute from her financial & executive management
background as may be needed to foster the goals & future of KHG.

And would like to pay forward the Kentwood North community kindness she’s already received!