This is the press release from the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, announcing its new exec, Jay Sanderson:
THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER LOS ANGELES ANNOUNCES JAY SANDERSON AS NEW PRESIDENT & CEO
LOS ANGELES (Sept. 16, 2009) – The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, the representative body for the Los Angeles Jewish community, announces that its search committee to nominate a successor to long time Federation President & CEO John Fishel has recommended Jay Sanderson as its unanimous choice, effective January 1, 2010. Sanderson currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Television Network (JTN).
According to Stanley P. Gold, Chairman of the Board of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, “The search committee was impressed with Jay’s vision of the future for the Los Angeles Jewish community and his passion for the role the Federation can play in achieving it in the coming years. The Federation’s nearly 100 year history has paralleled the growth of Los Angeles’ Jewish population, the second largest in the United States, and Jay is enthusiastic about accepting the CEO position.”
Gold said, “The search committee was impressed by Jay’s grasp of the challenges our community faces as well as his suggestions for new directions and approaches. Many of Jay’s ideas address the interests of the younger generations. His connections throughout L.A. and the national Jewish community will help bring together the best minds and most successful organization builders and dreamers to work together for the betterment of the Los Angeles Jewish community.”
Richard V. Sandler, Vice Chairman of the Board of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles said, “As the incoming Chairman of the Federation Board beginning in 2010, I am proud to have Jay as an outstanding professional partner. He comes to the Federation with wonderful accomplishments throughout his career, and has consistently demonstrated skill and a concept of the future of our community.”
Prior to assuming the CEO position at JTN, Sanderson was Executive Director of Tuum Est, Inc., the largest residential adult substance abuse program on the West Coast. He was then chosen to lead the Brandeis-Bardin Institute, serving as their Executive Vice President from 1985 to 1989. In 1989, Sanderson was hired to serve as JTN’s Chief Executive Officer. Said Jay, “I am deeply honored and excited. This is an extraordinary moment for Jewish life in Los Angeles and I’m looking forward to working with an incredible group of lay and professional leaders as we continue to impact the lives of Jews and non-Jews in our community and around the world.”
John R. Fishel, who has served as President & CEO of the Federation since 1993 said, “I am personally delighted that the search committee has chosen such an outstanding, talented and innovative candidate for this crucial professional role in the Jewish world.”
Fishel announced his resignation earlier this year, which precipitated a nationwide search for his replacement, led by a lay volunteer search committee. DRG (The Development Resource Group) Executive Search consultants was selected to support the efforts of the search committee. The consultants met with Federation senior staff, John Fishel, current and past Federation leadership, local community rabbis, social service agency executives, major donors and others. Over the course of the search, DRG spoke to 220 sources and prospects.
