Sam Nazarian named to airport commission

LA Observed (Los Angeles, CA)
July 15, 2009

By Kevin Roderick

Nightlife and hotel impresario Sam Nazarian is Mayor Villaraigosa’s
choice to fill the Chris Essel opening on the Board of Airport
Commissioners. A release from Villaraigosa is going out this
afternoon, but his name actually went over yesterday to the City
Council’s Trade, Commerce and Tourism committee, from a council file
dated July 13. [The council file cover page misstates the date as June
13.] The mayor’s release is after the jump.

LOS ANGELES – Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today appointed Sam Nazarian
to the Board of Airport Commissioners, where he joins a seven-member
commission that governs Los Angeles World Airports.

`Sam’s record of entrepreneurship and management is exactly what LAWA
needs to take Los Angeles air travel into the 21st century,’ Mayor
Villaraigosa said.

`His experience will add great value to our team at the airport as we
continue to implement the LAX Master Plan, improving safety and
convenience.’

`I am deeply honored to accept this appointment and would like to
thank Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for this opportunity to work closely
with him and the entire City Council of Los Angeles,’ Nazarian
said. `I share their same vision for LAWA in continuing progress to
make it one of the greatest airports in the world. In a time where the
challenges of global travel continue to rise, it is crucial to
continually improve our vital gateway to the world.’

Nazarian currently serves as founder and Chief Executive Officer of
SBE operating groups, which include hotel, restaurant, nightlife and
real estate divisions. He is also Chief Executive Officer of
Bolthouse.Vox and Element Films, where he directs acquisition and
development of film production.

Raised in Los Angeles, Nazarian has an extensive record of
entrepreneurial success in the region. In 1998, he founded Platinum
Wireless, a telecommunications business specializing in Nextel
software distribution. W n Southern California.

In 2001, Nazarian established 3Wall Development and successfully
distributed his family’s assets into real estate holdings across the
market, securing partnerships with the country’s leading developers
and investors. 3Wall soon became one of Southern California’s largest
owners of multi-family housing.

Nazarian founded SBE only one year later. With a collection of over 10
hotels, restaurants and nightclubs, SBE quickly became one of the
country’s most acclaimed corporations. Since its creation, SBE has
also acquired properties in Santa Monica, Florida and Las Vegas,
including the legendary Sahara Hotel & Casino on Las Vegas
Boulevard. Now with thousands of employees, SBE has secured
partnerships with other leading brands under the direction of
Nazarian. SBE’s Element Films has also enjoyed wide success with an
ability to develop, produce and market own titles. Nazarian has been
executive producer of several celebrated projects and has secured
partnerships to create many more films in the future.

In 2006, Nazarian was named one of the `Top 100 Most Powerful People
in Southern California’ by the Los Angeles Times’ Magazine. He was the
youngest executive named on the list. In addition, Nazarian also
serves as a member of the Southern California Institute of
Architecture’s Board of Directors. Nazarian studied at New York
University and the University of Southern California.

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