Superintendent Westside Union School District
The Antelope Valley Economic Development & Growth Enterprise (AV EDGE) will honor Regina Rossall, Superintendent of the Westside Union School District, as the recipient of its prestigious Navigating Change Award. The award ceremony will be held during the Spring Business Summit on Friday, April 5, at the AV Fair & Event Center in Lancaster.
The Navigating Change Award recognizes individuals who have exhibited outstanding leadership by positively impacting the community’s quality of life and addressing the evolving challenges within the Antelope Valley region. This year, the selection process was particularly competitive with a record number of qualified nominations submitted.
Among the notable nominees were:
• Arthur Calloway, CEO of Redtails Logistics Company
• Kevin Harbour, President of the BizFed Institute
• Brenda Hernandez, Owner of Pretty Little Poppies Marketplace
• Charles Hughes, President of the AVHSD Board of Trustees and Owner of Crazy Otto’s
• Kathy MacLaren-Gomez, Board Director of IBEW-NECA and the Palmdale Water District
• Betsy McKinstry, Director of CTE, College & Career at AVHSD
• Dave Owens, Farmers Insurance Agent and Creator of the AV Restaurant Support Page
• Dr. Khodam Rostomian, Area Medical Director at Kaiser Permanente
• Chris Spicher, Owner of AV Florist
“This year’s record number of impressive and inspiring nominations made the selection process extremely challenging,” said Marvin Tompkins, president of the board of directors of AV EDGE. “Each and every one of these individuals plays a significant leadership role in our communities, contributing to the quality of life throughout our region.”
Regina Rossall emerged as the deserving recipient of the 2024 Navigating Change Award due to her extensive experience in education and her leadership roles within the community. With a career spanning 54 years, Rossall has served as a teacher, principal, counselor, and assistant superintendent. She currently holds the position of President of the Urban Superintendents Association of America, highlighting her national leadership role. Rossall has actively participated in various community organizations, including serving as Chairwoman of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and as a board member of the Antelope Valley United Way and the United Way of Greater Los Angeles.
“Regina exemplifies the type of community leadership that contributes to making the Antelope Valley Region an extraordinary place for business, education, and lifestyle,” said Drew Mercy, executive director of AV EDGE. “It is an honor to recognize Regina Rossall.”
Past recipients of the Navigating Change Award include Marvin Crist, vice mayor of the City of Lancaster; Dante Simi, founder of Learn 4 Life, and Scott Ehrlich, credited with rejuvenating downtown Lancaster.
Individual tickets for the Spring Business Summit start at $125 for AV EDGE members and $150 for non-members. Interested attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets early due to limited seating. For more information, including sponsorship opportunities and ticket details, visit avedgeca.org.
