Board Members
2025-2027 Term
Brent Kidwell
Homeowners Representative
Board Chair
Brent Kidwell has proudly served as the President of the Carthay Circle Neighborhood Association for more than 5 years and with his election to Mid City West, he extends his stewardship of the area with the addition of Miracle Mile under the Zone 7 map. His birthplace home was on Bedford & Olympic, just blocks away from Zone 7 so he has a lifetime of love for, and familiarity with the area. Brent has spent nearly 30 years in the TV & Film industry as a Producer and Music Supervisor. He was a widely published national music journalist, an artist-manager with various Punk & Emo bands, and worked as the studio right-hand for renowned composer Hans Zimmer. Brent recently completed a 5-year term with a music technology company. Civically, he has led campaigns against telecom companies, fought a proposed above-ground Metro train through Carthay Circle, was instrumental in the landmarking of Tom Bergin’s, and most recently, helped run a widespread fundraising drive which led to the National Register of Historic Places recognizing the Carthay Neighborhoods as a historic place. Although this position may be the closest he will get, his friends often refer to him as “The Mayor of L.A.”.
bkidwell@midcitywest.org
Hunter Burgarella
Zone 1 Representative
Second Vice Chair
Hunter is a long-time resident and local realtor in the Mid City West neighborhood. He cares deeply about our neighborhood and consistently fights for the priorities his fellow residents care most about, with their values top of mind. Hunter started his career covering politics in Washington DC after graduating from the University of Southern California. It was there he worked as a political producer for a national news network in a variety of roles from producing shows, to covering the White House as well as the 2012 presidential election for which he was awarded an Emmy. After seven years in Washington DC, he moved back to his home state of California to the city he loves most, Los Angeles.
hburgarella@midcitywest.org
Valerie Washburn
Homeowners Representative
Board Treasurer
Valerie Washburn is a native Vermonter and an Angeleno by choice. She was a Chinese literature scholar, real estate attorney, and federal law clerk before becoming a stay-at-home parent to two lively kids. After a number of years in the Valley, she and her family moved to the Miracle Mile North area of MCW in search of a more walkable lifestyle and closer proximity to LA’s arts and cultural institutions. Valerie strongly believes that walkable, transit-rich urban areas like MCW are better for the planet and better for residents’ physical and mental health. The challenge lies in keeping these areas accessible and livable for all who want to live in them. Valerie has lived in NYC and San Francisco and witnessed the transformation of too many of those cities’ dense neighborhoods into exclusive enclaves for the wealthy. She is hopeful that LA can find a different path. As a parent, she is also very aware of the challenges urban living can pose for families and is committed to helping to make our community a welcoming place for all ages.
vwashburn@midcitywest.org
Joseph Percal
Community Org. Representative
Board Secretary
Joseph Percal is a dedicated community member and small business owner with a deep commitment to the well-being and growth of the Mid City West area. As the founder of a healthcare billing company, Joseph brings years of experience navigating complex regulatory systems, advocating for underserved populations, and supporting long-term care facilities throughout Los Angeles County. His work in healthcare has given him a unique perspective on the challenges facing families, seniors, and local providers.
Joseph is focused on preserving and improving the quality of life for Mid City West residents. He is a strong advocate for safer streets, cleaner public spaces, and thoughtful development that respects the character of the neighborhood. With a practical and solutions-oriented mindset, he aims to make Mid City West a safer, more vibrant, and more livable community for everyone.
jpercal@midcitywest.org 
Dave Abbitt
At Large Representative
Born and raised in Los Angeles, I’m a proud Angeleno with deep roots in this city and a lifelong appreciation for its rich cultural diversity. I’ve spent my career in film and television production, where I've led large teams, balanced complex budgets, and solved problems under pressure — all while helping creative voices bring their visions to life.
My work has taught me the value of listening, collaborating, and thinking strategically, and I bring those same principles to public service. I’m passionate about preserving what makes Los Angeles special — from our unique neighborhoods to our shared commitment to progress, sustainability, and inclusion. Serving on the Mid-City West Neighborhood Council is an honor, and I’m here to be a voice for thoughtful growth, civic engagement, and a stronger, more connected community.
dabbitt@midcitywest.orgNikki Bascon
At Large Representative
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nbascon@midcitywest.org
Jerry Bedrick
Zone 2 Representative
My decision to join the Neighborhood Council stems from a personal commitment to creating a safer and more vibrant community, especially in light of the challenges we face with local business decline and safety concerns. As a resident and homeowner of Mid-City West, I’ve witnessed firsthand the impacts these issues have on our community. I am eager to contribute my skills and experience to make our neighborhood a place where everyone feels secure and where local businesses can thrive.
Growing up in New York City, I lived on the 5th floor of a 6-story building and learned the value of community from my family and neighbors and the art of Italian cooking. I earned a five-year degree in Electrical Engineering from the City College of New York (CCNY). My professional career took me to Boston, to complete my Master of Science degree in Computer Science. I was employed in the areas of computer hardware design and software engineering, ultimately founding Mystic River Software, a company that was acquired by Microsoft. Throughout my career, I have developed a strong skill set in problem-solving, leadership, and technology, but I have also remained deeply engaged with my community.
While in Boston, I dedicated my time to meaningful causes, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and serving as an adjunct lecturer at Boston University. I also took on the role of photographer for Pop Warner Football, the nation’s oldest youth football and cheerleading organization.
Since relocating to Los Angeles in 2014, I have become increasingly involved in local initiatives to improve safety and support small businesses. I believe that a safe neighborhood not only enhances the quality of life but also attracts investment, which is essential to the long-term health of our community. I am committed to advocating for solutions that make Mid-City West a more secure and prosperous place for families, businesses, and all who call this neighborhood home.
Ken Best
Zone 3 Representative
Dr. Ken Best, DC is honored to serve as the Zone 3 Board Representative for the Mid City West Neighborhood Council. A proud resident of the neighborhood for over 35 years, Dr. Best brings deep roots in the community along with a lifelong commitment to public service and holistic wellness.
As a board-certified chiropractor and holistic practitioner, Dr. Best has maintained a successful private practice in Los Angeles for more than three decades. His passion for advocacy began early—serving as a student council representative while earning his doctorate in chiropractic. He went on to found a Political Action Committee supporting integrative healthcare policy and served as a legislative advocate in both Sacramento and Washington, D.C., championing patient rights and the chiropractic profession at the state and federal levels.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Best is passionate about building a stronger, healthier Mid City West. He believes that engaged local leadership can make a meaningful difference in quality of life, and he is committed to promoting transparency, community wellness, and thoughtful urban development.
In addition to his council service, Dr. Best is an author, educator, and speaker who enjoys sharing insights on mind-body healing and personal transformation..
kbest@midcitywest.org
Shelby Blecker
At Large Representative
.I ran for neighborhood council to represent my community, its interests, and concerns. We have many issues that need addressing: crime, better solutions for the unhoused, building density in a careful and least intrusive way, funding for parks and open space, and better paying jobs close to where we live to reduce traffic.
I grew up in the Melrose area and have lived here since 1965. I’ve seen both good and bad changes. I often think about how those changes affect us. That’s a reason I joined the Community-Police Advisory Board and worked to organize the Melrose Wednesday Walks. I sit on the board of a non-profit that works to find cures for cancer and have owned a small business since 1984. It employs a diverse group of people who enjoy discussing transportation, the environment and housing costs with me every day.
For the past several years, I have attended MCWNC meetings as a stakeholder making public comments on issues that affect all of us. I don’t shy away from voicing alternative viewpoints, taking positions for my neighbors and putting hard issues on the table. We need more varied opinions on MCWNC to represent the diverse opinions of stakeholders. I want to hear from my community, work with my community and I plan on being there for our community, standing up for the issues, concerns and needs that affect where we live, work, play, pray and attend school.
sblecker@midcitywest.org
Craig Brill
Business Representative
A native Angeleno I have lived in Mid-City West for over 30 years from the Melrose Neighborhood to Beverly Grove. I am also the co-founder of the Beverly Grove Residents Association and a small business owner in the community with my husband of 30 years. I am committed to a safe clean and livable city where everyone has equal opportunity to thrive and succeed.
cbrill@midcitywest.orgShari Brooks
At Large Representative
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sbrooks@midcitywest.org
Matthew Craffey
Renters Representative
Matthew Craffey was born and raised in Ojai, California. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and International Relations from California Lutheran University.
He began his career working in law enforcement for several years, serving in several different exciting roles at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. After deciding he was more interested in a career in university development, he started working at California Lutheran University moving through the ranks to become Director of Prospect Research. In 2012, he moved to Los Angeles and accepted a position at UCLA. Currently he is Senior Director of Prospect Management and Development Analytics, overseeing two teams, 18 staff members, and 6 direct reports.
Matthew is also heavily involved in politics and public service. Shortly after coming out in 1999, he became the youngest member of the board of the Ventura County Rainbow Alliance. After moving to Los Angeles, he became involved with the Log Cabin Republicans, an organization that advocates on behalf of LGBT Republicans. He was the President of the nation’s largest chapter of Log Cabin, Los Angeles, California, for 3 years, and was the Chairman of Log Cabin Republicans of California, which oversees all 10 chapters of the organization in California for 6 years. He is currently on the Log Cabin Republicans National Board. He also writes opinion editorials for several publications including The Advocate, The Federalist, Red State and the Ventura County Star.
In his free time, Matthew writes and records alternative rock music, and serves as the lead singer in the group Dark Rume. He is also an automobile enthusiast, and has owned many fun cars over the course of his life. Matthew regularly goes to car shows, and enjoys weekend drives with his fellow car enthusiast friends. He currently owns a 2016 Dodge Challenger SRT and a 2015 Chrysler 300c Platinum.
Matthew currently resides in Los Angeles, California.
mcraffey@midcitywest.orgHilary Delaney
At Large Representative
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hdelaney@midcitywest.orgStella Farentino
Community Organizations Representative
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sfarentino@midcitywest.orgMenachem Fehler
At Large Representative
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mfehler@midcitywest.org
Barbara Gallen
Zone 6 Representative
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bgallen@midcitywest.orgPeter Gordon
At Large Representative
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pgordon@midcitywest.orgMalkiel Gradon
Renters Representative
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mgradon@midcitywest.orgJohn Gunderson
At Large Representative
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jgunderson@midcitywest.orgTzvi Haber
Business Representative
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thaber@midcitywest.orgMadison Hirshberg
At Large Representative
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mhirshberg@midcitywest.orgHana Kawano
Zone 7 Representative
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hkawano@midcitywest.orgYehuda Klein
Business Representative
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yklein@midcitywest.orgDahlia Laury
Renters Representative
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dlaury@midcitywest.orgShaya Lowenstein
At Large Representative
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slowenstein@midcitywest.orgElizabeth Mason
Business Representative
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emason@midcitywest.orgJacob Nachimson
Renters Representative
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jnachimson@midcitywest.orgDavid Nochum Kaye
Zone 4 Representative
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dnochumkaye@midcitywest.orgDylan Otto
At Large Representative
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dotto@midcitywest.org
Yitzy Pearson
Zone 5 Representative
My decision to join the Neighborhood Council stems from a personal commitment to creating a safer and more vibrant community, especially in light of the challenges we face with local business decline and safety concerns. As a resident and homeowner of Mid-City West, I’ve witnessed firsthand the impacts these issues have on our community. I am eager to contribute my skills and experience to make our neighborhood a place where everyone feels secure and where local businesses can thrive.
ypearson@midcitywest.orgJosh Rothstein
Renters Representative
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jrothstein@midcitywest.orgJung Shin
At Large Representative
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jshin@midcitywest.org
Matthew Tallmer
Renters Representative
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mtallmer@midcitywest.orgSonya Turoff
Youth Representative
Born and raised in Carthay Circle, Sonya Turoff is a local high school student and is beyond excited to serve as youth representative on the MidCity West council. An avid bus rider, she’s passionate about building strong communities, promoting pedestrian safety, and developing public transit. A marathon and cross country runner, she enjoys a good bagel and long walks in her spare time. She’s honored to represent her neighbors and better her community.
Rabbi Avraham Weiner
At Large Representative
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rabbiaweiner@midcitywest.org