BSBA Board Elections

 
 

The Belmont Shore Business Association is led by a board of thirteen directors who all hold a stake in the Belmont Shore Business Improvement District

Each elected director holds a two year term, and the terms are staggered so that elections can happen yearly without an entire board turnover. The board meets monthly to determine how the BSBA shall operate in accordance with our contract with the City of Long Beach.

Voting for the 2024-25 election will open on September 10th and the online ballots (below) will be accepted until midnight on September 23rd. The results will be announced at our annual meeting on September 24th, 2024.

If you have additional questions, please reach out to BSBA Executive Director Heather Kern.

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.) Review all eight candidates below and select up to eight people who you would like to represent our district as official board members.

2.) Click the blue button at the bottom of this page to submit your ballot. Your choices must be accompanied by your contact info, but all selections will be kept anonymous.

3.) Each business is eligible for only one ballot, so please decide who will be submitting this entry for your organization.

 

Candidates for 2024-25

 
 
 

Spiro Beckas

Owner, UPS Store

 

I am honored to accept the nomination for the BSBA Board of Directors. As a lifelong resident of Long Beach and a graduate of Wilson High School, I have deep roots in this community. I currently own The UPS Store in Belmont Shore for over 10 years as well as another location in Long Beach. Beyond my professional role, I am actively involved in the local Greek Orthodox Church, where I sit on their council and direct the college aged dance group.  I understand the unique needs of our neighborhood, from the perspective of both a business owner and a community member. I am passionate about contributing to the growth and success of our local businesses and look forward to the opportunity to serve on the board.

Thank you for considering my candidacy.

 
 
 

Dana Buchanan

Co-Owner, Primal Alchemy
Existing Board Member

Dana Buchanan is a graduate of CSULB and has been a resident of Long Beach for 44 years. Currently, she is the co-owner of Primal Alchemy Catering, located in Belmont Shore for 23 years. She had a previous business in LB, founded in 1996 and successfully sold in 2004. She is involved in many community organizations serving as President of the Long Beach Chamber Women’s Business Council, long time member of Rotary Club of Long Beach, and Leadership Long Beach, Board of Govenors for Long Beach City College, Advisory Board of California Conference for Equality & Justice, among others. She has served as Board Chair for the CPCC, City of Long Beach and has been a commissioner for 5 years. She is the recipient of Amazing Women, Entrepreneur by the Press Telegram and the Mujer Empresseria (Business Woman) of the Year by the Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She is passionate about small business and committed to helping fellow small businesses succeed.

 
 

Maria Leyesa

Owner, Foodologie

My name is Maria Leyesa-Perez and I am owner of Foodologie Baked Goods, a cookie and brownie bakery! While I don't have very many years under my belt as a business owner, I do believe I have the drive and determination to be a successful member of the BSBA Board of Directors. I am creative and also savvy when it comes to my business and I believe that those qualities can be useful as a board member. I am highly invested in helping Belmont Shore and its business owners, because I believe small businesses are what make our city so special and I also strongly believe that when one of succeeds, all of us do too!

 
 

Matt Peterson

Co-Owner, Legend’s & Crows
Existing Board Member

Legends & Crows co-owner, chair of the parking commission, and completely devoted to Belmont Shore. With grandparents, Aunt, Uncle, and cousins on the east side, I was in the Shore as a kid and now am a proud business and property owner on 2nd Street. 

 
 

Suzie Price

Co-Owner, The Lash Lounge

Hi. My name is Suzie Price. My husband Mark and I own the Lash Lounge. We opened the business right before COVID and have been working hard to make sure our business survives the daily pressures placed upon small business owners. I have been a prosecutor at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for 25 years and served on the Long Beach City Council for 8 years, representing the district that the Belmont Shore Business Improvement District is in.  I even ran for mayor and learned a lot about the city’s budget and the priorities of our current city leaders. For me, public safety and the condition of our corridor is a critical to our success as a business district. I am deeply committed to advocate for a safe shopping district that is diverse and welcoming to all those who live and shop in Long Beach and west Orange County communities. Mark and I have two boys and we have laid our roots in East Long Beach. We are deeply committed to making sure that our Belmont Shore business corridor stays safe for our business employees and customers. I would be honored to continue my service to the community in a business district where I have a personal investment and connection. 

 

Shannon Salazar

Co-Owner, Nu Du Salon
Existing Board Member

Shannon Salazar fell in love with our community after attending Long Beach City College.  In those years she has been an active member with the LGBTQ+ Center, has lived in many different parts of Long Beach and now lives in Belmont Shore. Shannon is one of the proud owners of Nu Du Salon in Belmont Shore which is celebrating its 2nd birthday this coming January.  Her passion was to help create jobs in our community durning the pandemic. 

Shannon’s  experience of 20+ years with retail, business management and community outreach would bring a great deal of support to this community.  She has volunteered  with Meals on Wheels, The LGBTQ+ Center and helped jump start a local beach clean up along with collecting clothing donations for our homeless community.  Shannon would like to see the return of a strong retail and service sector on 2nd Street and would also capitalize on borrowing some of the energy from nearby districts.

 

Aaron Tofani

Owner, Rance’s Chicago Style Pizza
Existing Board Member

Aaron Tofani is the owner of Rance’s Chicago Pizza which is headquartered in Belmont Shore. He has been on the board for the past seven years. He is passionate about ensuring the success of the  Belmont Shore business community.

 

Jack Walls

Owner, Angels Share

My name is Jack Walls, owner of Angel's Share Whiskey Lounge at 5110 2nd street. I have been a member of many different boards in the past and would love to help make a difference on 2nd street for small businesses and new restuarants while continuing to help the community grow in both tourists and locals. I want to help add more exciting festivals, etc to the area as well.