The Board of Directors of the Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC) – a leader in local development and provider of Economic, Community and small business development – is pleased to announce the selection of Joseph “Joe” T. Rouzan III as the new Executive Director.
Mr. Rouzan assumes the leadership of VSEDC left vacant by the loss of the founder and Executive Director Marva Smith Battle-Bey in April of this year.
“After a thorough and deliberate selection process, the Board of Directors is delighted that Joe will lead VSEDC as we navigate through the evolving and expanding needs for economic and small business development solutions in South Los Angeles,” said Bill Holland, Board Vice President.
Mr. Rouzan most recently held the position of Director for the City of Los Angeles Business Source program overseeing 9 Business Source Centers throughout Los Angeles and operating a 4.5M annual budget. Joe concludes 29 years of City Service which includes 13 with the Economic and Workforce Development Department and 16 with the Los Angeles Police Department. Prior to his most recent city service, Joe served as the Vice President and Chief of Staff for the Brotherhood Crusade, General Manager of both the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza and Hawthorne Malls and owned and operated JTA Security Management and Investigations.
Rouzan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration, conferred by California State University, Dominguez Hills. He resides in Los Angeles with his wife of 36 years, Karran and has 5 adult children.
“I want to thank the VSEDC Board for allowing me to serve as the organization’s Executive Director. This is a bitter sweet point in my life, as well as my professional career. There will never be another Marva Smith Battle-Bey, but I do plan to lead this organization in a fashion that will make her proud by creating economic and career opportunities throughout Los Angeles, particularly South LA,” stated Rouzan.
