Executive Director of SEE-LA and Hollywood Farmers Market Fired

By Felicia Friesema Thu., Apr. 5 2012 at 6:00 AM

Felicia Friesema

Hollywood market

Pompea Smith, Executive Director of SEE-LA and founder of the Hollywood Farmers Market, was fired on Tuesday evening, following private meetings of the non-profit's board of directors. Smith had been a part of the market and SEE-LA for over 20 years. The official statement issued by the board is short on details, saying only, "the board of directors has decided that, in the best interests of SEE-LA and the communities it serves, it is time for a change of leadership."

A consultant will serve as the Interim executive until a candidate search has been completed. Full text of the official statement after the jump.

Smith had managed to quietly run the 21-year old market without much controversy for the majority of her time there, propelling the market into the local food movement and expanding into under served communities. That quiet ended last year, when a disagreement with the L.A. Film School threatened to shut down the market unless some kind of agreement could be reached. Smith had been publically praised for her strong refusal to compromise with the school.

But privately, some market supporters wondered if the whole debacle could have been prevented with some proactive community outreach. At a March 27, 2011 meeting, SEE-LA stated that they had $25,000 in legal bills related to the film school disagreement, and only had $30,000 in cash on hand. No agreement has yet been reached -- the permit was granted through the office of Councilmember Eric Garcetti with the promise that the issue would be reviewed again in the coming year.

The crux of the motive behind Smith's firing seems to come from a March 2012 report compiled by Essergy Consulting, which suggested that SEE-LA needed a, "more inclusive management style." Smith could not be reached for comment.

The full statement from the board's Chair, Michael Woo is as follows:

The Board of Directors is deeply grateful to Pompea Smith for her 16 years of inspired leadership of this organization. Pompea played the visionary role of cultivating the Hollywood Farmers Market from a kernel of an idea to its current status as the largest certiﬁed farmers market in the City of Los Angeles. She created the vision which led to the establishment of seven other farmers markets, which have had a salutary impact on many families especially in lower-income areas of the city, and other food and nutrition programs which have helped to make Los Angeles one of the capitals of the "good food" movement.
The Board of Directors has decided that, in the best interests of SEE-LA and the communities it serves, it is time for a change of leadership. For this reason, Pompea Smith is no longer CEO of SEE-LA. The board has appointed Brenda Zamzow-Frazier, a consultant with extensive experience in nonproﬁt organization operations and ﬁnancial management, to serve as Interim CEO, e!ective immediately, until a formal search for a permanent CEO is concluded.

Tags:

Felicia Friesema, Hollywood Farmers Market, Michael Woo, Pompea Smith, SEE-LA

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Beverly Young

The treatment Pompea Smith has received after 21 years of devoted service to the Hollywood Farmer's Market is totally disgusting!!! It is obviously "age discrimination" and I hope she sues the hell out of the board. There wouldn't even be a farmer's market if it wasn't for her tireless efforts.

Laura Smith

Huh? Saying "she had been part of the market and SEE-LA for 20 years" shows an utter lack of understanding in her role and history of the market and SEE-LA. She *started* the farmer's market... from nothing. She founded SEE-LA. She even established the board, ironically.

The fight with the film school was won by her tenacity. Community outreach is exactly what SAVED the market. 7,000 signatures and support from everyone who attends the market and benefits from it.It is her passion, vision, and commitment that will be difficult to replace. There are few who wish to tackle the tougher issues of bringing produce and programs to lower income communities.

Conny

Oh Great! She's been replaced by "ROSIE O'DONNELL" So, what can we expect now?

Joey B.

it's a shame that always the good ones will be let go. - perhaps the change of "Leadership" should be in the Board of Directors. - I salute Pompea for all her hard work and sensitivity toward our communities. - she's been a great asset to the Farmers Market. --- what a shameful act of "Playing Politics"

werhaps we should look at the greater picture, shouldn't we?

Joey B.

Franreichenbach

Pompea has been the life blood of the Farmer's Market and has organized the formation of other Farmer's Markets. She shouldn't be leaving for being brave and actually being the leader that is needed. Inclusion is a buzz word. She is so inclusive that it is demonstrated by the broad spectrum of farmers and merchants there every Sunday in that growing community asset that many take for granted. They should rethink this and readjust their loyalties. If it's not broke - and it isn't - don't fix it. If you want sweet, hire a PR intermediary.

Felicia

I think the board will eventually reveal more details that will explain exactly how broken it is. You don't let go of leaders who have been in position for decades without ample reason. Bravery and inclusiveness aside, the bottom line is always money.

Sam Wong

This all seems very fishy to me. There's something going on that we are not privvy to. Just wait and see.

Felicia

The official statement is usual. Looking into who they've placed as the interim may reveal some of the reasons for the switch. They're not hiding anything in that respect. Just specifics.