News
North Los Angeles County Regional Center Announces New Executive Director
August 21, 2024
Angela Pao-Johnson brings two decades of experience in developmental disabilities, social services and behavior health to the State’s third largest Regional Center.
NORTHRIDGE, CA – The North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLACRC) Board of Trustees
announced on August 20, 2024, that Angela Pao-Johnson will be their new Executive Director. She will start on
September 23, 2024. The Board searched for seven months to find a replacement for the former Executive
Director, Ruth Janka, who retired in January 2024.
Angela Pao-Johnson has over 20 years of experience helping people with developmental disabilities. She has
worked with people at all stages of life, from young children to seniors. She began her career as a behavioral
health practitioner and later became the Chief Executive Officer of a behavior therapy agency that operated in
four states. She is currently the Executive Director of the non-profit organization MERCI, which provides
services and housing for adults with developmental disabilities in Los Angeles.
Ana Quiles, President of NLACRC’s Board of Trustees, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Angela to our
Regional Center as its new Executive Director. She brings an extensive background as a chief executive in the
social services sector, as well as clinical experience as a behavioral health practitioner and as a case and
program management executive at large-scale organizations such as Blue Cross, Blue Shield. Angela joins
NLACRC during a challenging time for our Center, and we are all confident that she will bring a wide range of
proven strategic experience and fresh perspective with boundless energy and optimism to our entire
organization.”
Angela Pao-Johnson said, “I am honored that the North Los Angeles County Regional Center’s Board of
Trustees has chosen me for this important role. I have spent my life working to make sure people get the
services they need in ways that matter to them and their families. I look forward to working with NLACRC’s
team to create a supportive and positive environment for our staff, vendors, consumers, and their families.
Together, we will make sure our consumers live full lives with the dignity and care they deserve under the
Lanterman Act.”
President Ana Quiles also thanked Cristina Preuss for her leadership as Interim Executive Director over the
past seven months. “Cristina’s experience and knowledge brought stability to our organization during a difficult
time, and we are very grateful to her.”
The North Los Angeles County Regional Center serves more than 35,326 consumers as of July 2024. The
center has been helping people with developmental disabilities and their families in the San Fernando, Santa
Clarita, and Antelope Valleys for over 50 years. Its mission is to create a community where everyone with a
developmental disability can live a healthy, productive, and inclusive life.
Angela Pao-Johnson holds a Master’s degree in psychology from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor’s
degree in psychology from the University of California, San Diego.
Media inquiries can be made to NLACRC’s Deputy Director, Evelyn McOmie, or its Chief Financial Officer, Vini
Montague, at (818) 779-1900.
