Bits 'n' Pieces

LBCEC Appointment

The Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center (LBCEC), and Legends Global, premier partner to the world’s greatest live events, venues and brands, today announced the appointment of Alexandra “Al” Williams as the new assistant general manager.

Williams brings more than 15 years of venue experience across some of Los Angeles’ most prominent cultural and entertainment institutions, including leadership roles at The Broad, Greek Theatre and Microsoft Theater. Throughout her career, she has overseen large-scale event operations, managed multimillion-dollar budgets and partnered with union and cross-functional stakeholders to deliver seamless experiences for audiences totaling up to 900,000 annually. Known for her strategic mindset and collaborative leadership style, Williams has built high-performing operational teams while implementing data-informed decision-making that improves efficiency, safety and service delivery.

In her new role, Williams will guide operational strategy and performance across the Center’s world-class venues and support event execution and strategic initiatives across the LBCEC campus, which hosts a wide range of conventions, concerts, cultural performances and community events each year. She will work closely with leadership and operational teams to enhance guest experience, optimize venue performance, and support the Center’s long-term growth. Williams will also support long-term operational planning as the campus prepares to host events tied to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

“Alexandra brings a proven track record of operational excellence and collaborative leadership within some of Southern California’s most respected venues,” said Robert Smit, general manager of the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center for Legends Global, which manages the venue. “Her experience managing complex events, building high-performing teams, and strengthening partnerships will be invaluable as we continue to elevate the guest and client experience across our campus.”

“I’m honored to join the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center and the Legends Global team,” said Williams. “The campus is an incredible asset to the city and the region, with so much opportunity ahead. Through people-centered leadership, I look forward to partnering with the team to deliver best-in-class experiences for our clients, partners and guests, while deepening the Center’s connection to the Long Beach community.”

The appointment comes as the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center continues to expand its role as a leading destination for conventions, entertainment and major live events along Southern California’s waterfront.

Giant Octopus Dies

The Aquarium is saddened by the loss of Ghost, the giant Pacific octopus who was beloved by staff, guests and those who learned about her online. Ghost died on March 24 after entering senescence, the natural end-of-life process after laying eggs. The aquarium announced Ghost’s senescence online in September 2025. Ghost was resting behind the scenes while animal care and veterinary staff provided her with extra support and care during her senescence.

Ghost arrived at the Aquarium in May 2024, weighing about three pounds at the time. She had grown to over fifty pounds and was estimated to have been between two and four years old at the time of her passing. “We are going to miss her. Ghost left a big impression on us and on so many people, even those beyond our Aquarium,” said Nate Jaros, Aquarium of the Pacific vice president of animal care. “She was spirited and very charismatic and loved to interact with our animal care staff. She was very engaged with the mazes and puzzles our staff created just for her. Ghost had a preference for interacting with her aquarist caregiver, sometimes preferring these interactions over eating. She was especially inquisitive when our staff members would dive in the habitat for maintenance.”

Though senescence is part of the natural life cycle of a female octopus, Ghost’s senescence was a sad time for Aquarium staff, especially for those who formed a bond with her as they cared for her each day. The care has included hand preparing restaurant quality seafood, curating enrichment activities with her in mind, creating thoughtfully designed habitats, state-of-the-art veterinary care and more. Ghost was a wonderful octopus and made an eight-armed impression on all our hearts. We are grateful for the outpouring of support and care for Ghost. “We hope part of her legacy is raising awareness about octopuses and inspiring people to care for and protect the ocean,” said Jaros.

Giant Pacific octopuses typically live for about two to five years. They tend to spend the majority of their lives alone. Males die within months after mating. After laying tens of thousands of eggs, female giant Pacific octopuses enter senescence. This natural process is the same whether or not the eggs are fertile and cannot be stopped or prevented by relocating the eggs. The giant Pacific octopus ranges throughout the Pacific, from the coasts of Southern California to Japan. Like other species of octopuses, they have special pigment cells called chromatophores in their skin that allow them to change colors and camouflage. With their pigment cells, they can mimic surrounding colors and textures.

Selected for Fellowship

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program announced today that Long Beach City College (LBCC) Superintendent-President Dr. Mike Muñoz has been selected is one of 23 community college presidents selected to participate in the third cohort of the Aspen Presidents Fellowship, a unique year-long professional development experience supported by JPMorganChase. During the program, presidents will develop a reform agenda that helps more of their students graduate into good jobs, either directly after community college or following transfer and bachelor’s degree attainment.

Through the year-long program, fellows will work with highly accomplished community college presidents, Aspen leaders, and each other to analyze local labor markets, their colleges’ outcomes, national models of excellence, and lessons from highly successful presidents. The reform agendas they draft are then pressure-tested during multi-day residential sessions, multiple webinars and feedback from peers and experts.

This third cohort of Aspen Presidents Fellows represents community college leaders serving students and communities across the country. The fellows lead institutions in 14 states, spanning rural communities, suburban regions and urban centers. They represent colleges with a wide range of missions – from comprehensive and technical institutions to tribal-serving colleges. They join a growing network of 433 fellowship alumni, including 202 community college presidents, committed to strengthening student success and economic mobility in their communities. Aspen supports this network of community college reform leaders through targeted professional development, research briefings and convenings at national conferences.

Muñoz has served as LBCC’s superintendent-president since 2001, leading efforts to expand student support services, strengthen workforce partnerships, and advance equity-focused initiatives that improve outcomes for the college’s diverse student population.