East Bay Park District held swearing-in ceremony for 2023 Board Members

SAN FRANCISCO EAST BAY AREA, CA (Jan. 26, 2023) — The East Bay Regional Park District held a swearing-in ceremony for four newly elected Board members recently. Congressman Mark DeSaulnier attended the January 17, 2023 Board of Directors meeting for the occasion.

DeSaulnier swore in new Board Directors Olivia Sanwong for Ward 5 and John Mercurio for Ward 6, along with Colin Coffey in his second term for Ward 7. The congressman also received recognition for his many contributions to the Park District. Karen McClendon swore in Board Director Dennis Waespi in his third term for Ward 3. McClendon has served over 38 years as a Park District employee. She remains a stalwart in the District.

In a ceremonial “passing of the gavel,” outgoing Board President Coffey handed the leadership role to the new Board President, Director Waespi. President Waespi and the Board of Directors expressed appreciation to Director Coffey for his leadership over the past year. Waespi won election to the Board in 2014 and served as board president in 2018.

“I am honored to serve as the Board President for 2023,” said new Board President Dennis Waespi. “As Board President, I intend to continue advancing the Park District’s mission of providing parks, shorelines, and trails for safe and healthful recreation and environmental education, while preserving natural wildlife habitat and natural and cultural resources.”

The Board officers named for 2023 include Vice President Elizabeth Echols, Treasurer Ellen Corbett, and Secretary Dee Rosario.

For information about the East Bay Regional Park District, visit ebparks.org. To learn more about its Board of Directors, visit www.ebparks.org/board-and-staff/board.