Beverly Hills Rotary Club Celebrates Exceptional City Employees

On June 2, the Rotary Club of Beverly Hills held its annual ceremony at the Beverly Hills Hotel to honor five outstanding city employees. The event, made possible by a generous donation from Max Factor III, celebrated the dedication of individuals from the Beverly Hills Fire Department, Police Department, and city government. “The overwhelming majority of people here are committed … to making our communities better,” Factor remarked at the ceremony. “It’s inspiring.” Michael Lushing, a board member and former president of the Rotary Club, noted that the event has been a staple for over a decade. “I’ve been in the club for 13 years, and it’s been held [every year] during that time and definitely more,” he said. Each awardee was presented with a check for $1,500, drawn from Factor's donation. Among the honorees were Lisa Karson and Officer Billy Blair of the Beverly Hills Police Department; firefighter and paramedic Nathan Foster of the Fire Department; and senior management analysts Melissa Gomez and Raminta Ivanilova, who serve the city. Police Chief Mark Stainbrook introduced Karson and Blair, praising Karson’s initiative and Blair’s bravery. “She runs the department behind the scenes,” Stainbrook said of Karson. Blair was recently involved in high-stakes incidents, including the apprehension of armed robbery suspects. Fire Chief Greg Barton highlighted Foster's professionalism and compassion. “He leads by example on every call, setting the standard of care and conduct that reflects the best of Beverly Hills Fire Department,” Barton stated. City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey commended Gomez and Ivanilova for their exceptional performance and leadership within the city's administration. The ceremony underscored the community's appreciation for these individuals' commitment to public service and their significant contributions to the city of Beverly Hills.