COC

Eric J. Perrodin, Mayor

 

Mayor Eric J. Perrodin has committed his life to public service. Perrodin grew up in Compton and later attended California State University Dominguez Hills, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1982. Following undergraduate school, he joined the Compton Police Department.
Always dedicated to excellence, Perrodin distinguished himself for high performance while working as an officer in several divisions, including community affairs, gangs, narcotics and as a detective. During his tenure, he built a reputation as a seasoned officer and champion of those considered underdogs in the City. Perrodin was one of the youngest officers ever promoted to the position of Sergeant for the Compton Police Department. He served as the President of the Compton Police Officers Association and showed his community spirit, along with his fellow officers, by participating in several Christmas variety shows, which raised funds to purchase food and gifts for needy families.
An advocate for education, Perrodin decided to return to school to become an attorney. He enrolled at Loyola Law School, attending classes at night while working days as a Compton Police Officer. Following graduation from Loyola, he passed the bar examination on his first attempt and was licensed to practice law in the State of California in 1995. After serving 12 years with the Compton Police Department, he left the force to become a Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County.
Because of his strong belief in and advocacy for the City of Compton, Perrodin felt the need to give back to the city that had prepared him for success. Following the prompting of several citizens, and after confirmation from a higher source while in church one Sunday, he decided to run for Mayor. With no political experience, but with a passion for change, he entered a mayoral race that featured five political veterans, including the incumbent. The citizens of Compton elected Eric J. Perrodin to the office of Mayor on June 5, 2001. He won re-election in April 2005.
Mayor Perrodin continues to strive for excellence. First and foremost, he wants to change the image of Compton. From his belief that with a new day comes a new philosophy, he coined the phrase, “Birthing a New Compton,” which reflects his vision for the City. He believes this moniker reflects all that Compton embodies, and has made strides to disseminate this thought throughout the administration and to the residents and share holders in Compton.
Mayor Perrodin is committed to improving the lives of those who work, live, study and play in the City of Compton. He knows that with cooperation and support from citizens, greatness for the City is possible.

 

 

Barbara J. Calhoun - Councilwoman District 1

 

Ms. Barbara Calhoun is a native of California. She attended John C. Fremont High School and later studied Labor Law at Trade Technical College in South Los Angeles. She has been employed by the City of Los Angeles as a Traffic Officer for 21 years. Committed to civic improvement and empowerment, Ms. Calhoun has served as President of the Service Employee's International Union (SEIU) Local 347 and is currently a member of the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI), the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), and the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW). She also serves as the Vice Chair of the Western Region Women's Caucus for SEIU and as a delegate for the 52nd Assembly District and Executive Board.
Ms. Calhoun is dedicated to making Compton a great city. Prior to her tenure as a City Council member, she was elected to the Compton Unified School District (CUSD) Board of Trustees and was voted Legislative Aide for two consecutive terms. Through her determination and leadership, she was instrumental in securing construction of the first new elementary school built in Compton in 35 years. The school was named after President William Jefferson Clinton. Also, while a board member, she successfully supported the school board’s Measure I Bond Campaign, which resulted in an $80 million grant created to renovate existing Compton schools and restore and return the Compton Unified School District to full local control after 10 years of management by the State of California.
The citizens of Compton elected Barbara J. Calhoun to the City Council’s First District on April 15, 2003. She was re-elected in April 2007. Throughout her years of public service, her passion and commitment to the well being of the citizens of Compton has never wavered. She passionately thanks her many supporters for their dedication and looks forward to working together with them to “Birth a New Compton."
Ms. Calhoun has three children and five grandchildren, most of whom attend school in the Compton Unified School District. She was active in her children's education and now enjoys the same opportunity with her grandchildren. Ms. Calhoun is an active member of the community and attends Holy Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Compton.

 

 

Lillie Dobson, Councilwoman - District 2

 

Councilwoman Lillie Dobson was appointed to the Compton City Council on July 8, 2003 to fill a vacancy in District 2. The citizens of Compton elected her to the position in June 2005. Her legislative agenda consists of improving the quality of life of Compton citizens, reducing crime, citywide beautification, and increasing public safety.
Prior to her appointment to the Compton City Council, Dobson made her mark as a successful businesswoman and proprietor of Hooper's Carpets located in Compton, and the Hooper Family Facility in Belzoni, Mississippi. In addition, she is co-owner of Solomon's Mortuary located in Los Angeles.
A native of Mississippi, Dobson moved to California in 1957. She became a resident of Compton in 1958, where she attended Compton Community College and Long Beach Community College. Councilwoman Dobson is active in numerous civic and professional organizations. She has been employed with John Hancock Insurance for 40 years, qualifying for the Honor Club and Presidents Club. Dobson is a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table.
A widow, Councilwoman Dobson is the mother of four children and the grandmother of nine.

 

 

Yvonne Arceneaux, Councilwoman - District 3

A native Californian, Councilwoman Yvonne Arceneaux retired from the Compton Unified School District after 26 years of dedicated service and commitment to the education of Compton’s youth.

Councilwoman Arceneaux was elected to the Compton City Council in 1993, to represent the Third District. Now serving her fourth term, she has the distinction of having the second longest tenure of service in the history of the Compton City Council. Mrs. Arceneaux takes pride in her community activism and involvement in numerous civic organizations.

While serving as Councilwoman, Mrs. Arceneaux has been especially responsive to the needs of the community and has served as a formidable advocate on behalf of her constituents. Key focal points have been overall beautification of the City, with a special emphasis on improving and revitalizing the Compton Creek.

Councilwoman Arceneaux chairs the Compton Creek Task Force. Under her leadership, the group has been the driving force behind the development of a master plan for the Compton Creek Regional Garden Park, a multi-million dollar project that includes new open space for the City and improvements to the creek and surrounding neighborhoods. When completed, the park will provide opportunities for recreation for children of all ages, and is expected to attract tourism from around the world.

During her 16 years in office, Mrs. Arceneaux has initiated numerous projects and programs that have benefited not only the City of Compton, but also surrounding communities. Some of her most noteworthy achievements include, but are not limited to, the following: The Compton Crime Task Force, the Father of the Year Awards Ceremony, and the Seniors Are Compton’s Sweethearts Award. Mrs. Arceneaux also championed passage of the ordinance that made Compton the first city in the State of California to ban alcohol and tobacco billboards.

Councilwoman Arceneaux and her husband, Herbert, have lived in the City of Compton for over 30 years, where they have raised their three children. Mrs. Arceneaux is an active member of the Holy Chapel Missionary Baptist Church of Compton.

 

 

CRAIG J. CORNWELL - City Attorney

 

Craig J. Cornwell was appointed to the position of City Attorney on August 11, 2008, following the retirement of Legrand H. Clegg II. Mr. Cornwell joined the Compton City Attorney’s Office in 2000 as a Deputy City Attorney II and became Chief Deputy City Attorney in 2006. 

Mr. Cornwell’s relationship with the City of Compton began in 1996 as a founding partner with the private law firm of McClain-Hill Cornwell LLP.  McClain-Hill Cornwell LLP provided legal advice and counseling to the City Attorney’s Office on various matters.  Mr. Cornwell received his law degree from Whittier Law School. He received his B.A. degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Craig J. Cornwell is the son of long-time public servants, Pastor Raymond R. Cornwell and Maple J. Cornwell.  Pastor Cornwell founded the Faith Chapel Baptist Church in 1956 and served as the pastor for fifty years.  Maple J. Cornwell began working for the Compton Unified School District in 1956 and retired as principal of Bunche Elementary School in 2000.

A Compton resident, Cornwell is married and the father of a 16-month-old daughter.

 

 

Alita Godwin, CMC - City Clerk

Alita L. McGreggor-Godwin, CMC, was born October 17 in Carson, California. Mrs. Godwin was raised in Los Angeles, California, attending Avalon Gardens Elementary in Los Angeles, and Peary Junior High and Gardena High School in Gardena, where she graduated in 1980.  While attending Harbor Junior College, Mrs. Godwin also worked for the Compton Police Department as a Records Clerk.

On July 1, 1982, Mrs. Godwin was hired by the City of Compton and worked in the City Clerk’s Office as an Office Assistant II. Mrs. Godwin is approaching her 25th year as an employee with the City of Compton.  She has held several key positions in the City, including Administrative Technician, Deputy City Clerk and Chief Deputy City Clerk.  On January 13, 2004, Mrs. Godwin was appointed City Clerk for the City of Compton, becoming the second African American female to be appointed to this position.  She was elected City Clerk on April 19, 2005, becoming the second African American female to be elected to this position. 

Mrs. Godwin is a member of the Association of Records Managers, City Clerks Association of California, International Institute of Municipal Clerks, and a Board Member for the Compton Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union. In January 2007, she was awarded the prestigious designation of “Certified Municipal Clerk,” (CMC) from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.  She is an active volunteer for the Read Across America program, Compton Little League Baseball, and various community programs in the City of Compton.

Mrs. Godwin is married to Ranard Godwin and the mother of two sons, Tyree and Juwan.  She has lived in Compton for more than 20 years and is a member of True Vine Missionary Baptist Church in the City of Inglewood.

 

 

Douglas Sanders - City Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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