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Brian Center speaks
about violence reduction
and recidivism at an
event hosted by the
League of Women Voters |
As Executive Director of A
Better LA, Brian Center draws
from a vast array of experiences
that make him uniquely qualified
to accomplish the organization’s
mission of transforming
communities that struggle with
violence.
Mr. Center obtained his Juris
Doctor from U.C.L.A in 1993 and
practiced law for over 8 years.
As a lawyer, he worked at
high-powered firms, representing
a wide variety of businesses in
high stakes and multi-million
dollar litigation.
In 2001, Mr. Center left the
world of litigation and assumed
the role of Justice Deputy for
County Supervisor Gloria Molina.
Having taken on one of the most
unique jobs in government, he
helped manage the County’s $16
billion budget and 90,000
employees. He participated in
gang task forces with law
enforcement and helped manage
police oversight efforts. He led
efforts to reform the juvenile
justice and children services
systems. He oversaw funding of
non-profits doing crime
prevention work, and led
successful efforts to improve
the quality of their work, and
oversight and outcome measures.
He also played an instrumental
role in bringing evidence-based
programs to key departments
within Los Angeles County.
Through these experiences, Mr.
Center has become an expert in
the areas of violence prevention
and evidence-based practice.
In 2005, Mr. Center moved to
the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
Department and became the point
person on issues pertaining to
homelessness and ex-offenders
re-entering society from jail
and prison. During this time, he
also ran for the California
State Assembly. Currently, he is
Chair of the Los Angeles County
Re-entry Advisory Board.
Over the past 17 years, Mr.
Center has been active in a
broad array of community
activities. To name only a few,
he has served as Judge Pro Tem
for the Los Angeles County
Superior Court and a board
member of the South Pasadena
Educational Foundation. He also
helped found CalAware, an
organization dedicated to open
government. He currently serves
on the Advisory Boards of
Foothill Family Services and Art
Share LA, non-profit
organizations that help at-risk
families and youth.
Mr. Center has the rare
combination of a deep
understanding of research, and
the real world experience of
applying that research. He has
worked with the issues of
violence prevention and
strengthening families from
every angle – the police
officer, the family, the social
worker, the bureaucrat, the
lawyer and the politician. With
his unique qualifications, A
Better LA looks forward to
tremendous success in
accomplishing its goals and
mission under his leadership.
Brian Center
(626) 590-4388
bcenter@abetterla.org
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