Los Angeles, CA – Members of the Armenian National Committee – Western Region (ANC-WR) met with California State Controller John Chiang on Tuesday, August 7, 2007. Those in attendance included State Controller John Chiang, ANC-WR Board Members Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian, Aida Dimejian, Leonard Manoukian and Raffi Hamparian and ANC-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian. The meeting was held to discuss state-wide community issues relations with the State Controller’s office.

“The Armenian National Committee has been on the forefront of positive changes for Armenian Americans and their communities,” Controller Chiang said. “I look forward to continuing to work with the ANC-WR on many important issues.” During the meeting with ANC-WR officials, State Controller Chiang provided an update on state-wide activities related to fiscal policy and legislation. ANC-WR Board Members then provided Chiang with an review on recent developments in the Armenian American community regarding the withdrawal of Richard Hoagland as Ambassador-Designate to Armenia and the current status of the Armenian Genocide Resolutions in Congress.

“The ANC-WR always welcomes the opportunity to meet with our state’s elected officials like State Controller John Chiang,” commented ANC-WR Board Member Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian. “Controller Chiang is committed to working with the local community and the ANC-WR greatly looks forward to working with his office well into the future,” she added.

The ANC-WR joined dozens of elected officials and Californians in congratulating Controller Chiang at his inauguration on January 8, 2007. Over 1,000 people attended the festivities to usher in Chiang’s term as State Controller.

Controller John Chiang was elected in November 2006 to serve as California’s Chief Financial Officer. As State Controller, Chiang presides over the Franchise Tax Board and is a member of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Board and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) Board. These two funds have a combined portfolio of $300 billion.

John brings extensive experience and fiscal leadership to the Office of the State Controller. He was first elected to the Board of Equalization in 1998. Since then, he has led with innovative and groundbreaking taxpayer-friendly services like the State’s free income tax return preparation service, ReadyReturn. As a member of the Board of Equalization, John represented 73 cities in Los Angeles County, including the City of Los Angeles. He was elected to his second four-year term in 2002. He has represented the Board of Equalization on the Franchise Tax Board and served as the chair of the Streamlined Sales Tax Project’s Board of Governors.

He has also boosted small businesses by sponsoring events featuring experts from various government agencies to explain in clear and concise language compliance issues, the latest tax laws, policies, rules, and regulations. These seminars provide entrepreneurs with the tools to grow their businesses and prosper.

John has compiled an extraordinary record of public service going back decades consisting of numerous awards recognizing his contributions to the community. John graduated with honors from the University of South Florida with a degree in Finance, and received his law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center. He began his career as a Tax Law Specialist with the Internal Revenue Service and served as an attorney with the Office of the State Controller.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

Photo caption: State Controller John Chiang is joined by (right to left) ANC-WR Board Member Aida Dimejian, ANC-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian, ANC-WR Board Members Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian, Leonard Manoukian and Raffi Hamparian.