Westside’s Rossall honored for leadership
LANCASTER — Westside Union School District Superintended Regina Rossall will be honored for her leadership in education and the community with the 2024 Navigating Change Award by the Antelope Valley Economic & Growth Enterprise (AV EDGE).
This award honors individuals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership through their community service, sig- nificantly improving the quality of life for individuals and/ or significantly helping organizations or local governments while meeting the changing circumstances and challenges in the Antelope Valley region.
“Navigating Change Honorees are innovative individuals who challenge the status quo with determination and creativity, overcoming obstacles. These exceptional leaders are dedicated to improving our communities through collaboration and effective strategies,” AV EDGE Executive Director Drew Mercy said in the award announcement. “Regina exemplifies the type of community leadership that contributes to making the Antelope Valley region an extraordinary place for business, education, and lifestyle. It is an honor to recognize Regina Rossall.”
With a career in education spanning 54 years, Rossall has been a teacher, principal, counselor and assistant superintendent before assuming her current position. She has spent 46 years with the district.
She is also the president of the Urban Superintendents Association of America and past president and current board member of the Antelope Valley Chapter of the Association of California School Administrators.
Outside of the educational
field, Rossall has served as chairwoman of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and is a 19-year member of Lancaster West Rotary, where she has served in many roles. She is also a member of the Alpha Charter Guild to the Antelope Valley Hospital, where she was twice elected president and was placed twice in charge of the guild’s debutantes.
Rossall has also served as the chairwoman and board member of the Antelope Valley United Way and a board member of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles. Currently, she is a board member of the Antelope Valley Chamber of Commerce and member of AV EDGE.
Rossall was selected from 10 nominations received, a record number for the award. Those who were also nominated are Arthur Calloway, CEO of Redtails Logistics Company; Kevin Harbour, president of BizFed Institute; Brenda Hernandez, owner of Pretty Little Poppies Marketplace; Charles Hughes, president of the Antelope Valley Union High School District Board of Trustees and owner of Crazy Otto’s; Kathy Mac Laren-Gomez, Palmdale Water District director and IBEW-NECA business development; Betsy McKinstry, director of Career Technical Education for Antelope Valley Union High School District; Dave Owens, Farmers Insurance agent and AV Restaurant Support page creator; Dr. Khodam Rostomian, Kaiser Permanente Area medical director; and Chris Spicher, owner of AV Florist.
“This year’s record number of impressive and inspiring nominations made the selection process extremely challenging,” AV EDGE Board of Directors President Marvin Tompkins said. “On behalf of the AV EDGE Board of Directors, we congratulate all the nominees. Each and every one of these individuals plays a significant leadership role in our communities, contributing to the quality of life throughout our region.”
Rossall will be presented with the award during the AV EDGE 2024 Spring Business Summit on April 5.
The summit will feature local economic news, data, inspirational stories and networking during the program that runs from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the AV Fair and Event Center, 2551 West Ave. H.
Headlining the summit is former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, a veteran of two space shuttle missions, in 2002 and 2009, both of them servicing the Hubble Space Telescope.
Individual tickets start at $125 for AV EDGE members and $150 for nonmembers. Interested 2024 summit attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets early, as seating is limited.
For event details, including sponsorship opportunities and detailed ticket information, visit avedgeca.org.