Essel to be named to Airport panel

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa plans to nominate Christene Essel, a top executive at Paramount Pictures who has been active in a number of business affairs in the city.
Essel, who is a senior vice president at the company, has previously served on the Community Redevelopment Commission and is also president of the Central City Association and works withj a number of other groups, includ Film L.A., the Workforce Investment board and the California Entertainment and Tourism Advisory Committee.
If approved by the City Council, Essel will succeed Sylvia Patsaouras, who stepped down when her husband, Nick, announced plans to run for City Controller.