California Republican Central Committee
State Convention in Long Beach, September 25-27, 1998

Members of the Poochigian family, whose ancestors began their migration to America from Armenia, Turkey, in the 1890’s, are active in contemporary Republican, Democrat, and other political activities. On the Republican side of the political spectrum, Poochigians currently serve as voting members on the California State Central Committee, which is the governing body of the California Republican Party (CRP).

The 1998 Fall Convention of the California Republican Party, an association dedicated to electing Republicans to public offices, will be held at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach on September 25-27.

Charles Poochigian (R-Fresno)

Charles "Chuck" Suren Poochigian (b. 1949) received his current Regular membership on the California State Central Committee when he was re-elected to the California State Assembly in 1996. He was first elected to the California Legislature in 1994 and represents the 29th Assembly District, which includes the eastern portions of Fresno and Tulare Counties.

During his first term in the Legislature, Chuck was Chairman of the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The California Journal magazine ranked Assemblyman Poochigian as Republican "Rookie of the Year" in 1996.

Chuck Poochigian is the great grandson of Harutune Sahag Poochigian (1891-1918) who migrated to America from Perri, Kharpert, Armenia in 1907, and the son of Frank Suren Poochigian (b. 1907) and Zartouhi "Gladys" Minasian (b. 1926).

Hilary Poochigian (R-Long Beach)

California Assemblyman Steve Kuykendall, who represents the 54th District, appointed Hilary Poochigian as one of his eight Appointive Members to the California State Central Committee.

Hilary also serves as Assemblyman Kuykendall's Alternate Member on the Republican Party of Los Angeles County Central Committee. He is active in Republican politics in Southern California, and is the Treasurer for the Long Beach Area Republican Party, a coalition of Republican organizations in the greater South Bay region of Los Angeles.

Hilary Poochigian is the grandson of Tevatoros Minas Poochigian (1890-1982) who immigrated to America from Perri, Kharpert, Armenia in 1907, and the son of Minas "James" Poochigian (1914-1996) and Marjorie Martinez (b. 1922). Through Hilary's mother's side of his family, he is a tribal member of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians in California, and is actively involved with the Greater Los Angeles Urban Indian Council.

Mary Alice Kaloostian (R-Fresno)

Assemblyman Charles Poochigian, who represents the 29th District in Fresno, appointed Mary Alice Kaloostian (b. 1957) as one of his eight Appointive Members to the California State Central Committee. Mary Alice is the Chief of Staff in Assemblyman Poochigian's district office in Fresno, California.

Mary Alice Kaloostian is the great granddaughter of Hamparzoom Dolabjian (1887-1965) and granddaughter of Marie Dolabjian Kaloostian (1906-1981) who both migrated to America from Perri, Kharpert, Armenia in the early 1900’s, and the daughter of George Kaloostian (b. 1935) and Jacqueline "Jackie" Garabedian (b. 1936).

Joanne Sarver (R-Whittier)

Governor Pete Wilson appointed Joanne Sarver (b. 1948) as one of his twelve Appointive Members to the California State Central Committee. Joanne also serves by appointment of Governor Wilson on a California Agriculture Fair Board. In the June 1998 Primary Election, Joanne was re-elected to the Republican Party of Los Angeles Central Committee, where she has served as Chairman of the countywide Computer Services Committee since 1994.

Joanne Sarver is the granddaughter of Bedros Sahag Poochigian (1876-1960) who arrived in America from Perri, Kharpert, Armenia in 1900, and the daughter of Joe Sarver (1909-1969) and Anne Poochigian Sarver (1911-1995).

Kelly & Loni Kolar

Each Regular or Appointive Member of the Committee can appoint Associate Members, who can vote at the State Conventions if they carry Proxies from Regular or Appointive Member. Kelly Kolar (b. 1978) currently servers as an appointed Associate Member and Loni Kolar (b. 1980) as a Youth Associate Member.

Kelly and Loni Kolar from Long Beach are the great granddaughters of Bedros Sahag Poochigian (1876-1960), granddaughters of Joe Sarver and Anne Poochigian (1911-1995), and daughters of Scott Kolar (1950) and Jeanette Sarver 1950).

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