Role With Land Use Committee to Bolster Strategic Growth and Employment Opportunities in Greater Los Angeles County
August 14, 2007
August 14, 2007 (Los Angeles, CA) – Maura B. O’Connor, a partner with McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP’s real estate practice, has been appointed Chair of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation’s (LAEDC) Land Use Strategic Advisory Committee. She was personally selected for the position by Bill Allen, President and CEO of the LAEDC, effective immediately.
O’Connor’s appointment is a distinguished honor because the Land Use Strategic Advisory Committee is one of the LAEDC’s most prominent and engaged committees, drawing heavily from the expertise of leaders from the local public, private and business sectors. It was established to examine issues and develop economically-based policy recommendations that result in the preservation of industrial land in the regions of Los Angeles County, which cover 4,752 square miles. Specifically, the Committee focuses on preserving the County’s job-producing industrial land base and maintaining and growing the number of high-value, middle class employment opportunities in these areas.
“The LAEDC is privileged to have Maura O’Connor lead this very important committee. Maura’s extensive experience in real estate finance and development, her considerable expertise dealing with complex zoning and land use issues, and her unmistakable leadership qualities will be indispensable to this committee as it continues its critical work shaping key land use issues that affect the regional economy,” said Bill Allen, President and CEO of the LAEDC.
The strengths and vision O’Connor has used to establish McKenna Long & Aldridge’s Los Angeles real estate practice will complement her new leadership role with the Committee. She is recognized for her work on real estate acquisitions, development, leasing and retail rollouts. Additionally, she has extensive experience in complex financing transactions, infrastructure and industrial projects and purchases of environmentally contaminated properties.
In addition to her involvement with the LAEDC, O’Connor frequently speaks on a variety of legal topics to business and legal groups and has been named one of the Distinguished Alumni of the University of Minnesota Law School.