The Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission Governing Board has elected Micheál O’Leary as the new chair for the 2013 term. O’Leary was appointed to the Board by the West Side Cities Council of Government and has served on the governing board for four years, according to a statement from the SMBRC. He takes over the position from former Santa Monica Mayor and City Councilmember Richard Bloom.
A native of Dublin, Ireland, O’Leary owns two pubs and is a longtime city councilmember and former mayor of Culver City.
The SMBRC oversees projects and protections relating to the health of the Santa Monica Bay.
“The protection of natural resources has always been and continues to be a priority of mine,” O’Leary said in a statement. “As someone who has lived half my life on an island, I have always had a great appreciation and respect for the ocean that surrounds us.”