Frank Colonna Former LB Councilman

Beverly O'Neill Former LB Mayor

IzmirLB Executive Board

Dennis O. AYTEKIN, Chairman, President Trade, Education and Long Beach City Liaison izmirlb@gmail.com Tel: (562) 363-5020 CEO and Co-founder of PortfolioLab, Inc., Dennis holds an MS degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Univ. of Applied Sciences in Frankfurt, Germany. He develops strategies that power PortfolioLab's growth and community involvement. His company provides IT services to local city and ethnic chambers of commerce, youth organizations, churches, schools, festivals and businesses. He is a passionate leader who uses creativity and perseverance to overcome challenges. He is a veteran sister cities program participant, and one of the founding pioneers of the Izmir-Long Beach sisterhood. He also served as the President of ATASC, the umbrella Association of Turkish Americans in Southern California. Dennis is the mastermind, architect and main driving force behind most of the IzmirLB programs.

Ahmet ATAHAN, Secretary General, Social Affairs, Long Beach City Liaison A graduate of No. Carolina St. Univ., Ahmet holds a Chemical Eng. degree. He is a successful textile industry executive. He has been active in the Turkish-American community for many years, both at the East Coast and in California. He has served as a Board member of OCTAA, Orange County Turkish American Association. He has been a strong supporter of the IzmirLB program during his tenure as the President of ATASC, the umbrella Association of Turkish Americans in Southern California. Ahmet has been also instrumental in facilitating the participation of Turkish American children and parents in the annual Children's Day Festival in Long Beach uniting children from all nations. Ahmet is one of the active IzmirLB contributors.

Jeyan Necla BEKAR, Art and Culture Director, Curator Jeyan is born and raised in the artistically rich culture of Istanbul, Turkey. She started her own art studio after graduating from Marmara University with Business Administration and Fine Arts degrees. Jeyan’s work was featured in several prominent exhibitions in Germany, Turkey, Cyprus, U.S. and Japan. Her work and charitable contributions to the local charities in Turkey were recognized by the mayor of Istanbul. Besides her art teaching experience in Turkey, Jeyan instructed Mosaics Art Experience class in Poway Adult School. Jeyan got her license for Exhibitions and Museum Studies in San Diego and interned at “Museum of Man” as a curator. She gained valuable experience while volunteering for the Natural History Museum and La Jolla Contemporary Art Museum in San Diego. Her latest project is a glass sculpture exhibited in the international gate of Sabiha Gokcen International Airport in Istanbul. Recently, Jeyan curated the “Homage to Homeros” Art exhibition in Long Beach, CA. She leads IzmirLB with all art related projects.

Sevim CAMERON, Tourism Director, Media Archivist Sevim studied Hotel and Tourism Trade in Istanbul and Austria. In Turkey, she worked for international hotels and airlines. Soon after moving to the US, she founded and operated “Turkish Travel and Tours” and provided worldwide travel services until 2002. Sevim developed a strong interest in broadcast journalism which led to her studies at L'ecole Supérieure de Journalisme, Paris, LACC and UCLA Extension. Since founding “Turkish TV USA” in '98, she produces educational films about Turkey. Her programs are broadcasted at local cable channels in Los Angeles. She is also a certified Translator, Paralegal and Notary Public. As IzmirLB’s media advisor, Sevim leads the documentation of our organization’s evolution.

Arzu SIMSEK, Treasurer Arzu enjoys volunteering for non-profit organizations and brings broad experience. She had been actively involved in the non-profit organization “Berliner Turkish German Women Organization: BETAK” and served as President from 1996 to 1998. As a new Izmir lover, Arzu has been a strong contributor as treasurer and organizational coordinator. As the owner of a new printing business, she is an Ambassador of the Irvine Chamber of Commerce. Arzu has graciously contributed several print materials in support of the IzmirLB program.

Asuman YILMAZ, Membership Director, Izmir Liaison Asuman is a Software Quality Assurance Manager at Simsci-Esscor and has been in the industry for 30 years. She made Orange County her home with her husband Deniz and two kids. She has been involved with different positions of ATASC and TALL since founded in 2003. As an Izmir born expatriate, Asuman has been a strong supporter of IzmirLB programs, both financially and spiritually. Asuman acts as the IzmirLB ambassador during her regular visits to her home town Izmir.

Erdal AKTAN, Strategic Alliances, Turkish Government Liaison Erdal has spent 28 years working in different capacities for the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, with special emphasis on acting as a liason between the tourism industry and the Ministry, both in Turkey and abroad. During his tenure with the Ministry, he worked as an internal auditer/inspector. Lateron, he served as Culture & Tourism Attaché in London and Sydney. In the recent years, Erdal continued his career by establishing the first Turkish Cultural and Tourism Office in Los Angeles to promote Turkish culture, art and tourism in the United States. After his US mission he temporarily returned to Turkey and retired. Today, Erdal is a Long Beach resident and joined IzmirLB to assist the organization with fundraising, strategic alliances, promotion, and general project coordination.

IzmirLB Coordinators Based in Izmir

Aysun KARASU, Arts and Culture Coordinator based in Izmir A native of Izmir, Aysun is a formally educated artist. She is a graduate of the Fine Arts Faculty of “Dokuz Eylül University,” majoring in painting. Her artwork has been exhibited in solo and mixed exhibitions at numerous educational institutions, art galleries and public buildings in Izmir and Istanbul. Aysun is the program coordinator of Izmir Municipality Youth Center for arts and culture. Besides coordinating the center’s arts events, she conducts art workshops designed for challenged youth social integration, behaviour and communication problems. Based in Izmir, Aysun coordinates IzmirLB’s art and cultural exchange programs between the two cities under the guidance of our Arts and Culture Director Jeyan Necla Bekar.

IzmirLB Advisory Board

Mary E. BARTON, Ph. D., International Business Advisor Mary has been involved with sister cities programs for 15 years. She is currently the VP of Special Programs for LB-Qingdao (China). She is the Principal of The Barton Group, which offers consulting, research and marketing services with strong background in various aspects of international business. She has served as the President of the International Business Association of Southern California and board member of the Japan America Society. She is also a Board member of Long Beach Public Library Foundation. Mary assists IzmirLB in establishing business exchange opportunities for mutual benefit of both communities.

Sema BASOL, NGO Relations Advisor Sema is a global corporate executive with over 25 years of experience both in the U.S. and Turkey. She worked with such global corporations as Mattel and Koc Holding. As a key contributor to non-profit educational institutions, Sema pioneered the "Partner School Science Program" that connects Long Beach Unified School District with Izmir schools. She founded Turkish Women’s Initiative, an organization that develops programs designed to empower Turkish women. Supported by Izmir Rotary, she recently launched an innovative leadership program for female students of Izmir based Ege University. As IzmirLB’s NGO relations advisor, Sema assists us in setting up sustainable and mutually beneficial relationships between the NGOs of Izmir and Long Beach.

Aaron L. DAY, Literature and Fine Arts Advisor Aaron is an Author, Accountant, Family Historian, and Community Advocate. Aaron served as the VP of Genealogical Society of Long Beach and on the Board of the Friends of the Long Beach Public Library for fifteen years. He is a member of the “Historical Society of Long Beach”, and a Charter Member and the VP of the “African American Heritage Society of Long Beach.” He is also one of the founding members of the Long Beach - Mombasa (Kenya) Sister Cities partnership. Aaron assists IzmirLB with the setting up of the IzmirLB Library collection.

Sarah HUMPHREYS, Media Advisor Sarah is an a writer, editor and communications professional for over 20 years. She has extensive background managing publications, conducting media and client relations, writing and producing newsletters, advertising, media releases, speeches, promotional materials, Web copy and brochures. Sarah has been producing materials for numerous high-profile clients, predominantly in the automotive and construction industries. Sarah assists IzmirLB with media relations, press releases and publicity.

Ruya JACKSON, Strategic Alliances Advisor A native of Turkey, Ruya is an international entrepreneur. She has ran textile fashion design businesses in several countries, including Turkey, Australia, England, Ireland and the US. She is an advocate for the Arts, child development, and various non-profit organizations, including fundraising and promotional affairs for the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival, archeological digs for the Wells Museum (England), and fundraising and promotional affairs for Millfield School (England). Ruya assists IzmirLB with fundraising, strategic alliances, promotion, and general project coordination.

Ergun KIRLIKOVALI, Socio Political Affairs Advisor Born in Izmir, Ergun is a graduate of Bogazici University, Chemistry Department. He completed his postgraduate studies at the Univ. of Manchester, UK and conducted research on polymers in Austria and Holland. He started his own company in the US, developing polymeric materials for aerospace. Ergun is a Turkish-American community activist against defamation and disinformation in America. He believes that Turkish culture and history are little known and mostly misunderstood by the American public. He works tirelessly to change that circumstance. He became recently the President Elect of the DC based Assembly of Turkish American Associations for the 2011-2013 term. Ergun graciously contributed valuable books to the IzmirLB Library Collection. Ergun assists IzmirLB in socio political affairs.

Val LERCH, Long Beach City Affairs Advisor A long term Long Beach resident, Val is serving his last term as the Long Beach City Council member representing District 9 and is currently the acting Vice Mayor of Long Beach. He is Litigation and Corporations Specialist and manages multiple family housing after having served the United States Coast Guard for 12 years. He serves on the boards of several organizations: North Long Beach Redevelopment Project Area Committee (Vice-Chair); North Long Beach Neighborhood Association Deforest Park Chapter (Vice-President); North Long Beach Business Association (Board Member); North Long Beach Community Action Group (Vice President); Citizen Police Complaint Commission (Commissioner); Long Beach Strategic Plan Task Force (Community Safety); Long Beach Veterans Day Parade Committee (Logistic Chair, Committee Chair); Academic Uprise Education Board (Board Member); U.S. Veterans of Cabrillo (Board Member). Val assists IzmirLB with the relations with Long Beach municipality.

Lutz LEHMANN, International Business Advisor Lutz is a seasoned business consultant with in depth experience in the fields of retail and wholesale trade, telecommunications, IT, manufacturing and environmental technologies. Following engineering studies in his native Germany, Lutz worked for several multi-national companies as a business executive. As a business consultant, he established a multitude of companies, both start up ventures and new market entries. He facilitated mergers and aquisitions in North America and Europe. Lutz brings IzmirLB a success-oriented approach with exceptional reputation for accuracy, knowledge and expertise.

Richard MADEIRA, Sister Cities Programs Advisor Richard has been involved with Long Beach sister cities programs since 1990 when he helped establish the ties between Sochi, Russia and Long Beach. He acted as initiator of humanitarian, cultural and art exchanges and mutual understanding and played a very important role in the fruitful development of sister cities relations. One of his remarkable achievements was the naming of a Long Beach city park after Sochi where a citrus tree was grafted from the first ever "Friendship Tree" from Sochi. Richard assists IzmirLB with the setting up of an "Izmir Grove" in the Recreation Park of Long Beach.

Ayse OGE, International Business Advisor Ayse is an internationally recognized business women, instructor, seminar leader, author, public speaker and consultant. She teaches Global Business at Long Beach City College and served on the Advisory Board, International Trade Program at Woodbury University. She spoke on International Trade at several conferences worldwide. She is member of the Los Angeles World Affairs Council and author of the book entitled, “Go Global to Win, Small Business Guide in a Shrinking World”. She is the 2003 Community Recognition Honoree of LA North Star Lions Club. In June 2009, San Fernando Valley Business Journal recognized Ayse for her significant and sustained contribution to global business at the Eighth Annual "Women in Business" Awards Program. Ayse assists IzmirLB in establishing business exchange opportunities for mutual benefit of both communities.

Choon MAH-MEGGETT, Public Relations and Community Networking Advisor Choon started speaking at civic organizations in Singapore in the late 1980’s and has not stopped speaking since! She has an undergraduate degree in Mass Communication and Masters degree in Arts & Humanities. She served as Director, President and Chairperson for several organizations, festivals and conferences. She is an accomplished Officer of Toastmasters organization including Area Governor, co-Chair of The Speakers Bureau and Fall 2007 Conference. With humor and passion, Choon has trained thousands of young professionals and students in both oral and written communication skills. She has delivered hundreds of workshops on effective speaking skills. Choon provides public relations and networking assistance to IzmirLB, and supports the introduction of Izmir in Southern California as the birth place of Bible.

Mary MILLS-TUNCER, Izmir Liaison, Partner Schools Science Program Advisor Mary and her husband Kaya Tuncer, a native of Izmir, a Turkish-American businessman and the founder of ESBAS (Aegean Free Zone), have been instrumental in developing IzmirLB contacts which open doors for increased communication and cooperation. Mary is the Co-Founder & Board Member of Space Camp Turkey at the Aegean Free Zone and Director of the "Partner School Science Program." A graduate of Dickinson College, PA, Univ. of Grenoble, France, and UC Berkeley, she is an editor, former junior high French teacher. Mary graciously contributed valuable books to the IzmirLB Library Collection. Mary assists IzmirLB with the setting up of "Partner School Science Program" as a NASA accredited and "Space Camp Turkey" sponsored exchange program between LB Unified School District and Izmir schools.

James Lee REYNOLDS, Esq., Legal Advisor James is an accomplished attorney with extensive experience in domestic and international business affairs. He practices law out of his offices in Beverly Hills, California. Besides a Masters of Laws degree, James is also a Certified Public Accountant. James has served as Special Counsel to the United States District Court (Los Angeles). He crafts creative legal solutions for foreign and domestic businesses, professionals and investors in need of guidance to successfully maneuver the complex challenges of doing business in the United States and abroad. James brings IzmirLB a success-oriented approach with exceptional advocacy skills and experience which are tempered by sophisticated business acumen.

Tan SARIHAN, Communication Technology Advisor Chief Technology Officer of Kittelson and Associates, Inc. and Director at Digiwest LLC and Sarihan LLC, Tan holds a Computer Engineering degree from Bosphorus University, Istanbul. Tan is member of executive board of Institute of Electrical Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Oregon Section, chairman of IEEE Professional Activities Committee, member of IEEE Standards Association and Smart Grid Standards Comittee. Tan authored five best seller books on Internet, e-commerce and graphic design, writes in dailies and trade publications and has been keynote speaker at various conferences. Tan will offer IzmirLB assistance in communication technology solutions including but not limited to video conferencing technology, which his company develops successfully for variety of industries and organizations.

Watch the Long Beach City Council Session for approval of Izmir-Long Beach Sisterhood

MEMBERSHIP

Facilitated by TNABA and the Izmir-Long Beach Sister Cities Association

We form an international bridge linking the business, cultural, social and educational worlds of two special cities.

Izmir-Long Beach Sister Cities Association (ILBSC) is a regional affiliate of Sister Cities International.