Commissioners
Thryeris Mason
President Mason is a native Angeleno who has been a civic and community leader throughout her adult life. As a workers’ compensation industry veteran, she previously managed the day-to-day operations of the workers’ compensation benefit delivery program for the Ameron International Corporation. President Mason previously served on the Government Affairs and Educational Committees of the California Self-Insurers Association where she analyzed and commented upon pending legislation and planned educational conferences for self-insured entities. President Mason also serves on the Empowerment Congress North Area Neighborhood Development Council and as Chair of the South Los Angeles Alliance of Neighborhood Councils. In both capacities she has been an advocate for economic development, social justice and social equity. She also serves on the Congressional Council for Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager. President Mason received a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. President Mason was appointed to the Cannabis Regulation Commission in 2019.
David Nash
Vice President David L. Nash, appointed by Mayor Karen Bass, was born and raised in Lancaster, California. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Summa Cum Laude, from Boston University and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Southern California. Mr. Nash has practiced law for over 25 years with several prominent Los Angeles area law firms with a focus on business litigation, real estate, surety and construction law. Currently a sole practitioner, Mr. Nash acts as general counsel to small businesses providing advice and counsel concerning all aspects of the clients’ businesses. As a licensed real estate broker for over 30 years, Mr. Nash also represents clients in their efforts to acquire and finance residential real estate. Mr. Nash volunteered extensively at his daughter’s school where he served on the development, planning, facilities and finance committees before being appointed to the Board of Trustees, as the Board’s primary legal representative. Mr. Nash resides in Los Angeles with his wife, who is also an attorney, and with whom he equally shares the joys of raising a daughter who currently attends New York University.
Anton Farmby
Born and raised in Chicago, Anton Farmby attended Monday College where he received his Associates degree. Following a short stint at Northeastern Illinois University, Mr. Farmby left college to join the labor movement. He began his organizing career in 1998 working with SEIU organizing workers at Misericordia Home, a facility for physically and mentally disabled adults. In 2000, Anton became an Organizer at SEIU Local 1 in Chicago, Illinois. While at Local 1, Anton helped lead the Residential Maintenance Contract Campaign, mobilizing thousands of union members for higher standards in the industry. He also worked on campaigns to organize school bus drivers, custodial workers, and public housing employees.
Mr. Farmby relocated to Los Angeles where he would go on to organize security officers and was later elected President of the newly formed SEIU Local 2006, Security Officers United in Los Angeles (SOULA). In 2010, he helped oversee the merger between janitors, security officers, stadium/arenas and airport workers who formed SEIU United Service Workers West.
Mr. Farmby currently serves as Vice President of SEIU United Service Workers West, which represents over 45,000 janitors, security officers, airport workers, and other property service workers throughout California. In 2023, as the leader of the Security Division at USVVVV, Mr. Farmby oversaw the bargaining and ratification of the best security contract of any union in the country. In this role, he is heading the work with the USVVVV Executive Board and leadership to build an inclusive union where everyone feels a sense of belonging, respect, and value that fosters meaningful long-term engagement to build true solidarity across differences among its members.
Mr. Farmby currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife Hope and two children, Kimberly Jordan, and Kaleb Joshua.
Mario Melendez
Mario Melendez has established himself as an integral part of the avant-garde arts landscape with his performance venue and nightclub in Hollywood. A native Angeleno whose first venue on La Brea and Sixth Street featured mostly jazz and blues from 1988-1993, he expanded to his current Hollywood location with a mission to help the world see Los Angeles as the energetic home for visual and performing artists that it is.
Mario’s venue was also celebrated as one of the best spots for house, progressive and electronica on the West coast.
Born and raised in East Los Angeles, Mario has been a champion of the city’s music scene since his youth. “Our diverse community is comprised of a striking mix of people whose personalities fuel the creation of great art. I have thrived personally and professionally being a part of that energy since I was a teenager,” he says.
Back in Los Angeles after traveling the world journaling ideas for his next venture, Mario moved his venue into the historical building on Hollywood Boulevard. Originally a restaurant and retail space, the building has been remodeled featuring a state-of-the-art sound system, a movable stage and acoustics that are exceptionally suited to showcase live music with multiple instruments and solos, a rarity in L.A. clubs. Mario was one of the first entrepreneurs to contribute to the resurgence of Hollywood nightlife on the Boulevard.
A contributing member of his community with a strong belief in giving back, Mario Melendez is a supporter of Kids Who Rock, the Museum of Contemporary Art and other organizations that foster the arts.
Commission Staff
Josie Trevizo, Commission Executive Assistant
(213) 320-7815
CannabisCommission@lacity.org
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