ABOUT THE SYBIL BRAND COMMISSION

The Sybil Brand Commission meets each Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in Room 372 of the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, California 90012. The public is welcome to attend the Commission Meetings.

Eleanor R. Montan↓o, Chair

Helen Stathatos, Vice Chair

Frank S. Bacio

John A. Hammargren

Vito Cannella

Carl E. Moore

Rita Hall

SYBIL BRAND COMMISSIONER’S BIOS

FRANK S. BACIO

Commissioner Frank S. Bacio was appointed to the Sybil Brand Commission for Institutional Inspections by Supervisor Gloria Molina in 1998.

Commissioner Bacio provided correctional education for the Los Angeles County jails for twenty-three years. He currently serves as an adult school counselor and advisor for the Los Angeles Unified School District. He also worked in customer service for the Southern California Gas Company for twenty years.

Commissioner Bacio is an avid sports enthusiast and enjoys playing golf, attending sporting events with his family and friends, and “getting away to the desert and relaxing”.

Commissioner Bacio is a native of Los Angeles and attended local schools. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in

Education from California State University, Los Angeles. Commissioner Bacio and his wife are the proud parents of four grown children.

VITO CANNELLA

Commissioner Vito Cannella was appointed to the Sybil Brand Commission for Institutional Inspections by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich in 1982.

Commissioner Cannella was born in Trieste, Italy, in 1928. He grew up in Sicily where he attended school, and eventually went to work with American soldiers during the occupation of World War II.

In 1950 Commissioner Cannella joined the Merchant Marine and sailed around the world. In 1953 he traveled to San Pedro, California, to find his father Vito. There he met his future wife, Florence.

Commissioner Cannella worked in a fish cannery on Terminal Island, and a foundry in Glendale. In 1956, he attended barbering college, and owned and operated his own shop

from 1958 until 1966, when he was appointed Postmaster for the City of Montrose. In 1969, Commissioner Cannella returned to his barbering trade.

Commissioner Cannella was appointed to serve on the Commission on Human Relations by Supervisor Antonovich in 1981, and continues his service today. He served as that Commission’s President in 1993. Commissioner Cannella has also been a member of the Advisory Council to the California Attorney General under Evelle Younger.

Commissioner Cannella has been deeply involved in the community and charitable activities. He is an active member of the Montrose Council of the Knights of Columbus, and has served as a Sergeant at Arms in the Rotary Club. Commissioner Cannella is a past president of the Italian Catholic Federation and a member of the Sicilia Culturale Society. He has been actively involved in campaigns for the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association. Commissioner Cannella also works to aid the disadvantaged and disabled, and to improve group understanding and relations.

Commissioner Cannella and his wife have raised three daughters, and are the proud grandparents of three grandchildren, one great grandchild, all of whom also reside in the La Crescenta community.

RITA HALL

Commissioner Rita Hall was appointed to the Sybil Brand Commission for Institutional Inspections by Supervisor Yvonne Burke in 2006. Commissioner Hall brings a wealth of diverse career and professional experience to the Commission.

Commissioner Hall served in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for 26 years. She has worked in the Custody Division of the Sybil Brand Institute for Women, in Field Operations at several stations, in the Court Services Division, and in the Training Bureau. Commissioner Hall has extensive experience in Human Resources administration, and has also served as a practitioner utilizing skills in crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and career counseling. She has worked in the Substance Abuse Narcotic Education Unit (SANE), and provided training seminars on numerous issues facing the members of the Sheriff’s Department.

Commissioner Hall is much sought after as a guest speaker and has given presentations throughout California and other cities in the United States, Canada, and England. Topics have included issues such as domestic violence, self-esteem in women and teens, cultural diversity, racial profiling, achieving balance in life and stress management, and the struggle for the advancement of women in law enforcement.

Commissioner Hall is actively involved in many professional and community organizations. She is the National Chaplain and Western Region Vice President for the National Black Police Association. She is a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). Commissioner Hall is also a member of the Omicron Tau Theta Society, the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She is the Founder of Holy Helping Hands, a charitable organization committed to enhancing the lives of the less fortunate. Commissioner Hall serves as a Member of the Board of Directors for Cannon House, a female sober living facility. She also serves as Chair of the Law Enforcement/Fire Fighter/Military Appreciation Day Fellowship for the West Angeles Church of God in Christ.

Commissioner Hall has been honored with numerous awards including the 2000 Humanitarian of the Year (National Black Police Association – Toronto, Canada), the 2003 Homer L. Garrett Award (NOBLE), the 2004 Community Service Award (Association of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs), and the 2005 Woman of the Year (Los Angeles Commission on the Status of Women), among many others.

Commissioner Hall was a member of the first graduating class of Crenshaw High School (Class of 1969). She received a B.A. degree in Public Administration from the University of La Verne in 1993. Commissioner Hall earned an M.A. degree in Negotiations and Conflict Resolution from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 1995, and an M.S. degree in Emergency Services Administration from California State University, Long Beach in 2005.

JOHN A. HAMMARGREN

Commissioner John A. Hammargren was appointed to the Sybil Brand Commission for Institutional Inspections by Supervisor Don Knabe in 2004. Commissioner Hammargren’s contributions to the Commission include leadership skills and a thorough understanding of law enforcement contracts and public relations.

Commissioner Hammargren retired in March, 2000, as a Commander with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department with over 38 years of service.

For much of his career, Commissioner Hammargren was associated with LASD’s Contract Law Enforcement Program. As a Commander, he had responsibility for the Contract Law Enforcement Bureau, which oversees the development of rates for services, the development of contracts, and coordinating

relationships between the Department and the 41 contract cities, the courts, the Metropolitan Transit Authority, MetroLink, the Los Angeles Community College District, and others.

Commissioner Hammargren has acted as liaison with local government, the California Contract Cities Association, the Independent Cities Association, the League of Cities, and the Local Agency Formation Commission.

Commissioner Hammargren has served as President of the Sheriff Relief Association, and is a member of the Professional Peace Officer’s Association.

Commissioner Hammargren received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology from California State University, Long Beach. He earned a Master of Arts degree in Public Communications from Pepperdine University.

ELEANOR R. MONTAÑO, CHAIR

Commissioner Eleanor R. Montaño was appointed to the Sybil Brand Commission for Institutional Inspections in 1993 by Supervisor Deane Dana, and subsequently reappointed by Supervisor Don Knabe. After serving ten years as Vice-Chair, Commissioner Montaño was elected Chair of the Commission in 2004 following the passing of founder and long-time chair Sybil Brand. She continues in her active role as Chair today. Her extensive background in public and human relations and her experience in dealing with the problems of youth and gang violence, and violence against women, make her an invaluable asset to the Commission.

Commissioner Montaño has served on the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations since 1982, including a term as President. She has been a tireless volunteer throughout her life for various welfare organizations and law enforcement agencies. Commissioner Montaño serves on more than 29

community boards, commissions, advisory councils and committees. She has been a member of the California Youth Authority Advisory Council since 1975, and serves on the Los Angeles Police Department Board of Rights, the Los Angels Police Commission’s Hispanic Advisory council, and has served on the City of Los Angeles Harbor Area Planning Commission.

Commissioner Montaño has worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and well being of children placed in custodial residential settings, group homes, and detention camps. She also devotes her energy to gangs and the repercussions of gang violence. Commissioner Montaño serves with Women against Gun Violence, the ADHOC Committee on Gang and Juvenile Justice, and serves as President of Mothers and Men against Gangs. She has been a member of the Harbor area LAPD Crisis Response Team since 1992, helping to console victims of violent crimes, provide interpretive services, and direct them to community support services. In addition, Commissioner Montaño has served as a Crime Prevention Specialist for the LAPD since 1984.

Commissioner Montaño has been honored with over 300 awards for her community service. Some of her recent awards include: the YWCA Silver Achievement Award for Community Service, the Cesar Chavez Community Service Award, the Nordstrom Community Service Award, the Community Citizen of the Year Award, and the Tom Coulter Memorial Award (Boys and Girls Club of Wilmington). She has also been honored with the City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission Outstanding Volunteer Service Award, the United States Department of Justice Public Service Award, and in 2005 she received the Police Department Service Medal, the highest honor a civilian can receive by the Los Angeles Police Commission. In 2007 Commissioner Montaño received the Bishop Blake Impact Award, voted by the “Military-Fire Department-Law Enforcement Committee” of the West Angeles Church of God in Christ.

Commissioner Montaño is an accomplished cake decorator, and also enjoys dancing, and making and collecting porcelain dolls.

CARL E. MOORE

Commissioner Carl E. Moore was appointed as a member of the Sybil Brand Commission for Institutional Inspections by Supervisor Yvonne Burke in 2003. Commissioner Moore brings a wealth of inspection, administrative, and law enforcement experience to the Commission.

Commissioner Moore retired in 2002 after 38 years of service to Los Angeles County. At that time, he was a Captain for the Office of Public Safety. He has been responsible for inspecting various County facilities, determining their security needs, and making recommendations for improvement for providing safety and protection for the citizens of Los Angeles County.

Commissioner Moore is a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and the Los Angeles County Black Peace Officers Association. He is also a member of the Hispanic Command Officers Association and the

California Women’s Peace Officers Association. He is also a member of the “Yes U Can Foundation” which provides grants and scholarships for disadvantaged youths.

Commissioner Moore is a veteran of the armed forces and is active in the American Legion.

Commissioner Moore graduated from Fremont High School in Los Angeles in 1963. He has attended classes at East Los Angeles College, Rio Hondo College, and California State University, Long Beach. He is especially proud of his lovely wife, Alexia.

HELEN H. STATHATOS, VICE CHAIR

Commissioner Helen H. Stathatos was appointed to the Sybil Brand Commission for Institutional Inspections by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich in 1983. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Commission.

Commissioner Stathatos was born in New York and raised in Los Angeles. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in Sociology. Commissioner Stathatos also attended graduate studies in criminology, psychology, and anthropology. She became a social worker for the Department of Social Services for the County of Los Angeles.

Commissioner Stathatos has truly lived by her grandmother’s motto: “The more you are given the more you must give.” While still at UCLA, she drove for the Junior Blind and worked at the children’s Hospital. Later, she became a charter member of the UCLA Medical Auxiliary.

She has been a member of many organizations in Los Angeles, including the Women’s Council of KCET, the National Charity League, the Assistance League, Para Los Niños, the Philoptohos Society of St. Sophia, and the Achievement Reward for College Scientists. Commissioner Stathatos was the 1992 recipient of the “Afternoon with Eve” award given by the Mannequins of Assistance League. She has been a Footlighter for over 43 years and served as philanthropy chair, helping to establish the Footlighter Child Life Center building addition at Harbor-UCLA Hospital. She was a Footlighter Honoree in 2004. She is a Friend of the Huntington Library

Commissioner Stathatos has also been active in local government as a member of the Correctional Education Advisory Commission since 1988, and recently obtained a significant grant from Los Angeles County to further the work of “A Place Called Home”, a youth community center in South Central Los Angeles.

Commissioner Stathatos is equally devoted to her love of music. Her mother was an opera singer and her father an enthusiastic music lover. Commissioner Stathatos is a two-term past president of the Opera Guild of Southern California, a former board member of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, a member of the LA Opera Gala Committee, and a member of the board of the LA Opera League. She is a member of the Founders of the Music Center and member of the Master Chorale’s Circle of Friends.

Commissioner Stathatos and husband Jerry have raised two sons and a daughter and have six wonderful grandchildren. They celebrated their Golden Anniversary in 2000.