October 2021
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Hollywood Sign Trust Announces 2021-2022 Board of Trustees
Board joins at an exciting moment in the historical monument’s history: preparation for the Hollywood Sign’s 100th anniversary celebration in 2023
October 28, 2021–Los Angeles–The Hollywood Sign Trust, the 501(c)3 nonprofit trust responsible for maintaining the Sign and educating the world about its historical and cultural importance, today announced members of its Board of Trustees for the 2021-2022 term. The City of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce appoint the nine-person board who serve as volunteers to protect and preserve the Sign as a global icon of the entertainment industry. The Trust also announced members of its new leadership team, which include Trustees Jeff Zarrinnam, chair; Stefanie Smith, vice chair; Ferris Wehbe, treasurer; and Brian Lane, secretary. The full list of the Trustees is below.
“The Trust is a dedicated team of community leaders who donate their time and talent to protect the Hollywood Sign for generations to come,” said Jeff Zarrinnam, newly elected chair of the Trust. “As we approach the Hollywood Sign’s 100th anniversary, in 2023, the new Board of Trustees’ extraordinary experience and passion will be instrumental in furthering the Trust’s mission.”
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce commissioned to have the Hollywood Sign rebuilt in 1978 and created the Hollywood Sign Trust that same year to accomplish the express purpose of repairing, maintaining, refurbishing, protecting, restoring, and providing capital improvements to Hollywood’s most famous symbol and icon, The Hollywood Sign. The Trust is also responsible for educating the world about the Sign’s historical importance, and its role in preserving and maintaining the image of Hollywood as the worldwide center of motion pictures and cinema arts. During its 40+ year history, the Trust has led a range of projects, including a major refurbishment in 2012 to prepare for the Sign’s 90th anniversary in 2013, as well as the installation of a state-of-the-art security and surveillance system, which has been expanded and improved numerous times.
The Trust is also the official source for news and information about the Sign and maintains the Hollywood Sign website (www.hollywoodsign.org) and its social media platforms. In addition, it sponsors various events and projects with an eye toward maintaining Hollywood as a symbol of inspiration to filmmakers everywhere.
The Hollywood Sign was declared a Los Angeles Cultural Historical Monument No. 111 in 1973. The City of Los Angeles owns and controls access to the land the Hollywood Sign sits on in Griffith Park. Originally installed as a giant billboard for a real estate development (Hollywoodland) in 1923, today, it is a universal metaphor for the place, industry, lifestyle and aspiration known as Hollywood—and stands as one of the world’s best-known monuments.
2021-2022 Hollywood Sign Trustees
JEFF ZARRINNAM
Chair
President & CEO
Hollywood Hotel
STEFANIE SMITH
Vice Chair
Acting Superintendent of Recreation and
Parks Operation, Griffith Region
Department of Recreation and Parks
FERRIS WEHBE
Treasurer
Owner
F and D Properties
BRIAN LANE
Secretary
Koning Eizenberg Architecture
MATT FRITCH
Trustee
Executive Director, Security
The MBS Group
JEROLD NEUMAN
Trustee
Partner, DLA Piper
DLA Piper LLP
BARBARA ROMERO
Trustee
Director and General Manager,
Department of Public Works
Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment
MARTY SHELTON
Trustee
Vice President
NAI Capital, Urban Development
DARNELL TYLER
Trustee
Director of Real Estate Planning
& Community Relations
NBC Universal Global Real Estate
About the Hollywood Sign Trust
The Hollywood Sign Trust is a 501(c)3 nonprofit trust created and shall be operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes and responsible for physically maintaining, repairing and securing the Hollywood Sign; providing capital improvements for the benefit of the public at large; and educating the world about the Sign’s historical and cultural importance. More information about the Sign's history and the Trust can be found at: www.hollywoodsign.org.