William A. Burke, Ed.D., is sworn in on Feb. 5 for a new term as Chairman of the South Coast Air Quality Management District by Michael Antonovich, fellow SCAQMD Board member and Los Angeles County Supervisor. As the first African-American to chair the SCAQMD Board, Dr. Burke has served the public for more than 22 years, including 18 as chairman — the longest leadership tenure on SCAQMD’s Board. Initially appointed to the Board in 1993, Dr. Burke also is the former Speaker of the California State Assembly Willie Brown’s last serving appointee.
During his time as SCAQMD Board Chair Dr. Burke has initiated a number of landmark programs, including Environmental Justice Initiatives, Asthma and Outdoor Air Quality Consortium, Brain & Lung Tumor and Air Pollution Foundation and the 2009 Helping Hand Initiative to protect both health and jobs during the recession.
Dr. Burke is the husband of the Honorable Yvonne Braithwaite Burke, and father of State Assemblywoman Autumn Burke.