Ken Toren was appointed to the Monte Sereno City Council at a special meeting on Sept. 16.
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The vacancy was created after Vice Mayor Javed Ellahie resigned for health reasons on Aug. 5. Councilman Lon Allan was named vice mayor on Aug. 19 after having been appointed to fill Councilmember Evert Wolsheimer’s seat earlier that month. Allan’s appointment left one seat on the council open; Toren’s appointment fills it until the midterm elections, when the seat will be up for grabs again.
“While my health requires me to step away from public service, I am confident that Ken Toren’s commitment to our community will make him an excellent addition to City Council,” Ellahie said in a press release.
Mayor Burton Craig said of the five candidates who applied for the council seat, Toren was chosen due to his “dedication to and involvement in our community.”
Toren is a business leader with a community and humanitarian services streak. He previously led nonprofits like the American Red Cross and now serves as regional vice president and executive director for the Alzheimer’s Association across Northern California, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii. He has also secured over $20 million in venture investments.
Originally from Philadelphia, Toren has lived in Monte Sereno and Los Gatos for many years with his wife, a TV executive, and their three children and rescue dog Teo.
“It is a tremendous honor to be appointed to City Council,” Toren said. “I am committed to listening to the residents and working collaboratively to ensure Monte Sereno remains a great place to live.”