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Ali Sajjad Taj
(September 24, 2021) ~ Sacramento ~ The League of California Cities Board of Directors elected Artesia Council Member Ali Sajjad Taj to serve as the organization’s 2021-22 first vice president. Taj was installed on Sept. 24 as part of the Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo.
“Being on the Cal Cities Board of Directors has given me the privilege of working with an incredible network of city leaders who are dedicated to public service,” said Council Member Taj. “I look forward to continuing this partnership and supporting Cal Cities as we advocate for policies that enhance our communities and the lives of our residents.”
Taj was first elected to the Artesia City Council in December 2013 and served as mayor in 2016-17 and 2019-20, the first Pakistani Mayor of a U.S. City west of the Mississippi. Throughout his tenure on the city council, Taj has focused his time and energy on solving day-to-day quality of life issues for Artesia residents by supporting projects that improve the city’s lighting, street quality, and traffic safety, while being an advocate for bringing new businesses that generate revenue for city services and provide new amenities for residents.
Taj has been actively involved with Cal Cities for many years and was first elected to the Cal Cities Board of Directors in 2017. He has served on the Public Safety Policy Committee and Finance Committee, and currently serves as Audit Committee Chair and as a board member of the Asian Pacific Islander Caucus.
“Ali has been a dedicated local leader and valuable member of Cal Cities for many years,” said League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman. “Ali’s expertise, insight, and commitment to strengthening communities through effective policymaking will help Cal Cities advocate for city priorities in the coming year.”
Taj worked in the financial services industry for two decades and held several key leadership positions, including district manager, regional manager, managing principal, and vice president of multinational firms like American Express, Ameriprise Financial, Weddell & Reed, and T.D. Ameritrade.
Taj represents Artesia on numerous regional boards and committees, including as board member and membership committee chair for California Contract Cities Association and as vice chair for the Eco-Rapid Transit Orange Line Development Authority of Los Angeles County.
During its meeting this week, the Cal Cities Board of Directors also elected Walnut Creek Council Member Cindy Silva to serve as president and Fowler Council Member Dan Parra to serve as second vice president. El Centro Mayor Cheryl Viegas Walker, who served as the 2020-21 president, became immediate past president.
