Tom Unterman Named Chair of the California Community Foundation Board of Directors

LOS ANGELES, July 1, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Los Angeles business leader Tom Unterman has been named the new chair of the California Community Foundation's Board of Directors for a two-year term, effective today. He joined the CCF Board of Directors in 2006. Unterman succeeds UCLA School of Medicine Clinic Director Dr. Cynthia A. Telles, who will continue on the Board.

Unterman is the founding partner of Rustic Canyon Partners, one of Southern California's leading venture capital firms supporting entrepreneurs. Prior to founding the firm in 1999, he served as executive vice president and CFO of the Times Mirror Company.

"As we continue our 100th year at CCF, I am delighted to be part of an organization that has provided a century of service to the community and is still growing as an important facilitator of social change," said Unterman.

Prior to Times Mirror, Unterman was a partner of Morrison & Foerster and, earlier, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. He has been an active civic leader in Los Angeles for several decades, currently serving on the boards of the Advancement Project, California Institute of the Arts, Heal the Bay, Museum of Contemporary Art (Life Trustee), Youth Policy Institute, Courage Campaign and ProPublica. He is also a trustee of the California State Teachers Retirement System. He earned his bachelor's degree from Princeton University and his law degree from the University of Chicago.

Dr. Telles served a two-year term, overseeing a growth in gifts and assets; the launch of CCF's partnership with Grameen America in Los Angeles, a microloan program for low-income women business owners; and the development of CCF's new 10-year strategic plan, among other accomplishments.

"I thank Dr. Telles for her leadership and service, and I welcome Tom in his new role as chair during this exciting time for the foundation," said CCF President & CEO Antonia Hernández. "Tom is a well-respected community leader that will help us grow the foundation for the future."

CCF leads positive systemic change to strengthen Los Angeles communities. The foundation has served as a public, charitable organization since 1915, empowering donors to pursue their own personal passions and to collaborate in transforming Los Angeles. CCF stewards $1.48 billion in assets and manages nearly 1,600 charitable foundations, funds and legacies.

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