ULI Names Katherine Perez Executive Director

Perez, who also was co-founder and executive director of the Transportation and Land Use Collaborative of Southern California, will work with ULI Los Angeles board chair Wayne Ratkovich in overseeing the day-to-day workings and long-range programming of ULI Los Angeles. In a statement regarding the new executive director, the ULI says, "Her background in development, transportation and urban revitalization enhances ULI Los Angeles' leadership position as the Southern California region faces economic and social challenges directly related to real estate."

Perez says in the prepared statement that the ULI will "engage the region's leadership on its most pressing issues: affordable housing, rising energy costs, decaying infrastructure, global climate change, Los Angeles' role as a creative capital, and contractions in the financing industries." She says that by addressing these issues, ULI Los Angeles "can be a strong voice for planning and development that addresses transportation, density and sustainability," ultimately positioning both downtowns and outlying suburbs "for the coming rebound."

Perez comes to the ULI post with a background in private real estate development, governmental policy and urban planning. At Forest City she focused on transit-oriented development and mixed-use projects in emerging markets. At the Transportation and Land Use Collaborative of Southern California, she guided a nonprofit that promotes greater civic involvement in planning and development.

Previously, Perez worked for Pasadena Mayor William Bogaard as deputy to the mayor on transportation, planning and Latino constituents' issues. She is an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California, School of Planning and Development, teaching a graduate course on the technical skills of public participation.