YJ Draiman is the 4th term lead elected official for the Northridge East Neighborhood Council – NENC, he is also the liaison between the NENC and LADWP. As an Energy Efficiency Advocate YJ Draiman is known for his advancement in implementing Energy efficiency, Renewable energy and Water conservation in the Los Angeles Area. YJ Draiman is promoting his platform of Made in America to bring back to the city of Los Angeles a strong industrial base, increase employment, strengthen education and reduce government and implement fiscal responsibility.
YJ Draiman ran for Los Angeles City Council in 2009 and Mayor in 2013. He was sworn in as an elected member of NENC, Los Angeles in April 2010 and was re-elected in 2012, 2014 and 2016, he also ran for Mayor in 2013. YJ Draiman brings to the NENC Office a unique combination of government, business and community leadership experience. He is also a member of The Northridge Vision Committee.
A recent ambitious goal by YJ Draiman is to create in Los Angeles an innovative renewable energy zone approach which will create tens of thousands of new jobs with billions in investments over the next 5-10 years.
YJ Draiman is a former Real Estate developer with over 25 year’s experience; he has worked extensively in rehabbing neighborhoods. YJ Draiman has vast experience in the deregulation of Utilities and implementing energy and water conservation. He is an Energy Efficiency expert for over 25 years as well as an Alternative Energy authority and a Telecommunications auditor. YJ Draiman has been working in the Energy and the Utility markets for over 25 years. In January 1996 he was asked to run for U.S. Senate, but he declined. YJ Draiman is currently working on his PHD in energy conservation.
YJ Draiman participated with the Utility Commission in protecting citizens from increased tariffs, where he championed projects offering opportunities for job creation, economic development, and social services for the less fortunate.
YJ Draiman lives in Northridge and is married to Miriam Draiman. They have two sons, David who is a professional singer with a popular rock band Disturbed and Benjamin who is a clinical researcher as well as vocalist/musician.
The son of European immigrants, YJ Draiman was born in 1949. He was reared in Brooklyn, New York. After graduating from High School, he studied Engineering in New York City. In 1971, he got married and went to work as a Mechanical Engineer in the printing industry.
In 1975, YJ moved to Chicago where he initially worked as an Administrator in a Healthcare facility. But for most of his adult life, YJ has been a businessman. He rehabilitated apartment buildings, he owned a Real Estate Office, he partnered in a Natural Gas Exploration venture and operated a chain of electronic stores. And in 1984, he started marketing Deregulated natural gas, natural gas futures hedging and Efficiency in Energy, Water, Telecom and Utility Services. He’s been active in this business ever since. He’s been recognized by the Illinois State Commerce Commission as a Utilities Expert.
In 2005, YJ came to Los Angeles. He resides in Northridge and has lived there ever since. As a resident of Northridge, he developed an interest in the Northridge East Neighborhood Council (NENC). In 2010 he was elected and re-elected in 2012,2014 and 2016 as a Member of the Council’s Board of Directors. Today, he’s the Secretary and he serves on both the Executive and Finance Committees. Moreover, YJ also represents the NENC on the Northridge Vision Organization. In 2010 YJ was a candidate for Councilman in District 12th. And a Candidate for Mayor of Los Angeles in 2013 and 2017. YJ is currently working on his PHD in Energy conservation.
YJ Draiman wants to be your Mayor! He feels his successful business experience has given him the skills, abilities and insights needed to balance the interests of the City’s very diverse communities. In the end, YJ believes all Angelinos (himself included) expect City government to be effective and efficient—to provide excellent services at an affordable price.
To achieve those goals, YJ is committed to an ambitious jobs program: he’ll bring back those businesses that were forced—by the City’s high tax rate—to leave Los Angeles. Moreover, he’ll actively support the creation of new businesses in renewable energy and energy conservation.
YJ reminds Angelinos, “Don’t forget that our City normally gets more sunlight than any other city in America. That fact must be used to our advantage. We will determine if it’s feasible to call Los Angeles The Solar City. We will explore the possibility of turning the whole City into “The World Capital of Renewable Energy’. That would attract billions of investment dollars to Los Angeles. It would facilitate the start-up of many small, energy-related businesses. It would create jobs and generate tax revenues.”
YJ is a family man. He and his wife, Miriam, have two adult sons, David 46 a lead singer for Disturbed and Benjamin, 42 a psychologist. He’s at a point in his life where he feels he can give something back to the country that has treated his family so well. He’d welcome comments/question from those who read this column, and can be reached by phone at: (818) 366-6999, or with an e-mail yjdraiman@draiman.org
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