LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti has appointed Raffe Deirmenjian to serve on the city’s Human Relations Commission Advisory Committee that strives to promote positive race and human relation in the increasingly complex and multicultural county of Los Angeles, reported the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR).

Deirmenjian, a member of the West San Fernando Valley ANCA, has worked diligently to have the Armenian Genocide included in the Los Angeles Unified School District’s curriculum, and during a time of racial conflict at local Grant High School, worked with students and administrators to successfully settle the conflict. ANCA–WR Chairman Steven Dadaian described Deirmenjian as an ideal candidate for the position.

“Having worked closely within the ANCA, Raffe has the necessary background in not only managing human relations, but also grasping the ideals that help to overcome prejudice, bias, and other divisive attitudes that can lead to inter-cultural tension,” said Dadaian.

The Commission teams with law enforcement, schools, cities, community-based organizations, youth, academics, policy makers, businesses and other leaders, to bring key players together to resolve immediate inter-cultural conflicts.

“It’s rare to find a person with such a diverse background,” stressed Dadaian who points to Derimenjian’s current position as a Second Vice President of Wealth Management at Smith Barney, who also carries education in political science and business marketing and has five years of hands-on experience on Wall Street, coupled with consistent and practical public policy experience within the ANCA. “He fits the ideal profile to serve on this Commission whose mission is to lay the groundwork for a long-term campaign to eradicate unfair practices, while working within the system,” remarked Dadaian.

Also appointed to the Human Relations Commission Advisory Committee were Vicky Ortega, Karen Hallock, Al Garcia, and Jose Roberto Hernandez.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.