The People of the LACC
The Los Angeles Convention Center is proud to have been associated with a talented group of forward-thinking individuals who have contributed to the success of the facility throughout the years.
- Charles Luckman
Charles Luckman was an American businessman, property developer, and architect known for designing landmark buildings in the United States such as the Theme Building at LAX, Prudential Tower, Madison Square Garden, The Forum and the original Los Angeles Convention Center.
- Mayor Sam Yorty
Sam Yorty served as Mayor of Los Angeles for three terms from 1961 to 1973. The self-described Maverick Mayor began his career as a liberal Democrat and ended it as a conservative Republican. He supported the building of the original Los Angeles Convention Center, which was opened during his tenure in 1971. West Hall was originally named Yorty Hall.
- Neil Petree
Neil Petree was an exceptional businessman and civic leader. He chaired the LA Chamber of Commerce Committee, which was created to locate, finance and build the Los Angeles Convention Center. Additionally, Petree held such prestigious positions as President and Chairman of Barker Bros. Corp., Chairman of the Major Highway Development Committee, President of the Hollywood Bowl Assn., and Director, President and Chairman of the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera Assn. The first ballroom in West Hall was named for Neil Petree.
- I.M. Pei and James Ingo Freed
I.M. Pei, Henry N. Cobb and James Ingo Freed joined forces in 1989 to form the award-winning firm of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners. Freed, an American architect born in Essen, Germany, was the lead designer on the LACC expansion project. Pei Cobb Freed & Partners also completed such major works as the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, The United States Holocaust Museum and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
- Gilbert Lindsay
Gilbert William Lindsay was a Los Angeles politician who
worked his way up from City Hall janitor to become the city's first African American City Council member and one of its most powerful elected officials. He helped fashion downtown Los Angeles into a major metropolitan center, serving 27 years on the city's governing body. The Plaza outside of West Hall is named for Gilbert Lindsay.
- Mayor Tom Bradley
Thomas Bradley was an American politician and police officer who served as the 38th Mayor of Los Angeles from 1973 to 1993. He was the first and only African American mayor of Los Angeles, and his 20 years in office mark the longest tenure by any mayor in the city's history. Bradley also served as the first African American member to be elected to the LA city council. Bradley supported the expansion of the LACC. South Hall was named Bradley Hall by Mayor Richard Riordan, Bradley's successor.
- LACC’s General Managers
1968 – 1971 Paul J. Herd (pre-opening)
1973 – 1974 Byron Timble*
1974 – 1997 Dick Walsh
1997 – 2006 George Rakis
2006 – 2012 Pouria Abbassi
2013 – 2018 Brad Gessner
2018 – 2022 Ellen Schwartz
2022 – Present Kimberly Weedmark
*then known as the Municipal Auditorium Department
