BREATHE LA Protects the Breath of Life : promoting clean air and healthy lungs through research, education and technology.

Board of Directors

BREATHE LA Board of Directors are a dedicated group of accomplished volunteers from all walks of life who have made a commitment to clean air and healthy lungs.

Joseph A. Lee, M.B.A.
Chair

An MBA, Mr. Lee brings a wealth of experience to his service on the BREATHE LA Board from a successful career in business management. His professional experience includes a role as General Manager of Central Garden & Pet, a national distributor of pet products. Mr. Lee most recently served on the Development/Marketing Committee.

Jud Schoendorf, M.D.
Chair-Elect

Jud Schoendorf, M.D., Allergist-Pediatrics Medical Director at the Miller's Children's Hospital in Long Beach also associated with the Harriman Jones Medical Group in Long Beach. He most recently served as co-chair of the Breathe LA Research/Program/Advocacy Committee in 2008-2009.

Dr. Schoendorf is very active in the field of asthma, having developed the "Breath Games" to encourage children with asthma to build their self-confidence by participating in sports. Dr. Schoendorf has been an active volunteer for over 30 years. He chaired the Board for two consecutive years, and is immediate past Secretary of the Board and Chair of the Program Committee for BREATHE LA.

Lawrence M. Lebowsky, Esq.
Vice-Chair

Lawrence M. Lebowsky of the Law Offices of Lawrence M. Lebowsky in Los Angeles, is Certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Mr. Lebowsky focuses his practice on income tax planning, estate planning, compensation, and other federal, state and local tax issues for tax-exempt organizations, individuals and business entities. Mr. Lebowsky advises public charities, museums, private foundations, fraternal organizations, trade associations, charitable trusts, homeowners' associations and other nonprofit organizations on issues of board governance, formation, planned giving, and trust administration.

Steven L. Bryson, Esq.
Secretary

Steven L. Bryson has been practicing law in the West Los Angeles area for the past 30 years. He is a Certified specialist in Bankruptcy Law, advising and counseling individuals and businesses in debt management and control. He is and has been an active member of numerous organizations related to his field, including the National Association of consumer bankruptcy attorneys; the Central District consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys' Association; and the California Bankruptcy Forum.

Robert L. Duitsman, Esq.
Treasurer

Mr. Duitsman is an Attorney at Law in private practice. His area of expertise involves estate planning law and he is extensively involved in the community. Mr. Duitsman has served BREATHE LA Board of Directors in a variety of capacities over the years including committee service on Development, Audit and Program/Research committees.

Yossef Aelony, M.D.

Yossef Aelony studied at the Universities of Chicago  & Minnesota, where he graduated first in his major field of undergraduate study & was awarded Phi Beta Kappa.   His initial interest was neurophysiology, but after a stint in Marseille, France, he attended Minnesota Medical School, focusing on patient care.   Postgraduate training in internal medicine & respiratory diseases was undertaken at the UCLA Affiliated Hospitals, and, later,  at the Laennec Hospital in Paris & the Brompton Hospital in London.   

Michael Arlen

Mr. Arlen is a seasoned business leader; successful serial entrepreneur; resourceful out- of-the-box thinker; and respected mentor. His service to BREATHE LA as a visionary with persuasive consensus building skills has been invaluable in leading the organization through dynamic change. Immediate past co-chair of BREATHE LA Marketing/Development Committee 2008-2009, Mr. Arlen has served as Board Chair and as chair of Bylaws & Nominating Committee 2008-2009.

Robert Berliner, Esq.

Mr. Robert Berliner is a long-time volunteer with BREATHE California of Los Angeles County, having devoted more than 30 years to involvement and support of the organization.  Mr. Berliner is also a past chair of the Board for BREATHE LA.

Cynthia C. Carter

Ms. Carter's involvement with BREATHE LA began as a volunteer in 2003 at the request of a friend who was a Board member.

Andrea Caster, Esq.

"Breathe L.A. has opened my eyes to the medical and environmental aspects of clean air and breathing issues," says Ms. Caster, who has been involved with the organization for almost three years and whose family members have been afflicted with asthma and lung cancer. "It led me to look at the causes of and treatment options for lung diseases, and what we can do to have an impact on the environment to prevent such health problems."

"I am proud to be associated with an organization that focuses on reaching out to lower income communities, people who may not have access to the highest quality medical care or education and information about these issues."

Fernando Del Rio

Mr. Del Rio is President of DOME Enterprises, a communications consulting firm specializing in corporate video productions and product marketing campaigns. Mr. Del Rio is former chair of BREATHE California of Los Angeles County's (BREATHE LA) Communications/Marketing Committee and is an award winning community activist who was honored as a KCET Local Hero in 2003.

Ray Gonzales

Ray Gonzales received a Proclamation from the City of Los Angeles upon his retirement after over 40 years as Community Affairs Director/Public Affairs Producer with KTLA-TV. Ray hosted Channel 5’s Pacesetters show for many years and was recognized for his public service commitment. As KTLA's director of community affairs Ray was responsible for ascertaining the needs and concerns of the community KTLA serves. He developed strategies, relationships and partnerships with organizations and individuals in need.

Ray enjoyed being executive producer and host of "Pacesetters," the weekly series designed to meet the cultural and informational needs of the community.

Kevin P. Hall, Esq.

Kevin Hall, an attorney, is a founding partner of the firm, Kull-Hall LLP, specializing in business and commercial litigation. He is a graduate of Columbia Law School where he was Executive Editor of the Columbia Journal of Environmental Law.

Mr. Hall speaks Spanish fluently and has represented many indigent and other clients on a pro bono basis through public interest organizations including BREATHE LA. Mr. Hall chairs the Advocacy Committee, and is a faithful donor and a Life Member of the organization.

Eileena James, M.B.A.

Mrs. Eileena James' volunteer contribution to BREATHE LA includes serving as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, as Chair of Development Committee and member of the Audit, Planned Giving and Development Committees. She is recently retired after 28 years of service as Assistant Agency Director-Administration and Assistant General Agency Director for Golden State Mutual Life Insurance.

Randel L. Ledesma, Esq.

Randy Ledesma is a solo practitioner, certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a Certified Specialist in Appellate Law. Mr. Ledesma has practiced law for more than 20 years and has represented clients in the Court of Appeal in matters arising from civil rights litigation, insurance coverage, governmental liability and complex civil litigation. He serves on the Program/Research Committee.

Anastacio G. Medina

Recognized as a Local Hero for Hispanic Heritage Month 2008, Mr. Medina retired from the Los Angeles County Health Department after 30 years, working his way up to Chief of the Hazardous Materials/Waste Management Program. As a BREATHE LA volunteer for over 35 years, he continues his advocacy role for lung health, clean air issues and a safer and healthier school environment.

Eugene A. Port, C.I.H.

Mr. Port is a retired certified industrial hygienist and certified safety professional and has numerous professional credentials. He served as BREATHE California of Los Angeles County (BREATHE LA) Treasurer 2008-2009 and as Chair, Audit Committee 2008-2009. As a member of the Board of Directors he has also served on the Development Marketing and Program Committees.

Guy W. Soo Hoo, M.D.

Guy W. Soo Hoo received a B.S. degree from George Washington University, Washington, D.C. graduating with Special Honors in Biology and was also elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He earned a, M.D. degree from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico and M.P.H. from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Public Health. He completed an Internal Medical residency at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center and Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He is a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians and American College of Physicians and a member of the American Thoracic Society, the Society of Critical Care Medicine, the American Association for Respiratory Care, and the California Thoracic Society.

He has served on many committees for Breathe California of Los Angeles County and its predecessor including two terms as Chairman.

Enrique Chiock
BREATHE LA President, CEO, Board staff

As president and chief executive officer for Breathe California of Los Angeles of Los Angeles County, Enrique Chiock is a driving force behind the organization and directly responsible for its day-to-day operations. Chiock utilizes his 30 years of experience in the non-profit sector towards establishing Breathe California of Los Angeles County as a leader in clean air and breathing-related issues, and lung-health research.