Coldwell Banker International President’s Premier- Representing the Top 1% of Coldwell Banker Agents Worldwide
Top 100 Coldwell Banker Bay Area Award
Representing Buyer and Sellers in the East Bay specializing in Orinda, Moraga and Lafayette. Fabulous references available on “What Laura’s Clients Say” page.
As a 12-year elected member of the Orinda City Council, Laura’s role was instrumental in setting policy on a City Council that served as the primary decision making body for this community of 17,000 residents with an annual operating and capital improvement budget of 11 million dollars. Her responsibilities included:
Orinda Mayor 1999, 2003
Orinda City Council 1994-2006
Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority Chair 2005-2006
CCCSWA Board Member 1995-2006
Contra Costa Mayors Conference Representative ABAG Hazardous Waste
Facility Committee 2003-20006 Vice Chair 2004-2006
Orinda Liaison East Bay Mud
Orinda Liaison East Bay Regional Parks
Orinda Representative Caldecott Tunnel Study Committee
Orinda Public Works Aesthetic Review Committee 1995-2006
New Orinda Library Sub Committee
Wilder Art and Garden Sub-Committee
Orinda City Hall Building Sub-Committee
Orinda Farmers Market Sub-Committee
Downtown Revitalization Sub-Committee
Prior work history:
Small Business Consultant
Laura Abrams Business Development and Marketing Services, Orinda, CA
Laura formally operated as a business consultant specializing in business development and expansion. Clients included “Antiques by the Bay,” a monthly antique fair held at the former Naval Air Station at Alameda under a leasing agreement with the Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Agency and the City of Alameda.
Co-Director: Friends of the Orinda Theater, Orinda, CA
Led the 9-year effort to preserve and restore the Orinda Theatre, a historic structure, determined eligible for a listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Received an Outstanding Service Award from The City of Orinda, a resolution of Congratulations from the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, and along with her fellow directors, the Volunteer of the Year award from the Orinda Association.
Parent Board: PALS Magnet School, Walnut Creek, CA
Serviced four years as a founding member of the Walnut Creek District’s magnet school, Parkmead Active Learning School. PALS was recently honored with The Distinguished School Award.
Additional Experience:
Operations Manger/Director, Cookies and Milk Inc., Berkeley, CA
General Manager, Students of Berkeley Inc., Berkeley, CA
Assistant Manager, Crate and Barrel, Chicago, Illinois
Education:
MBA, Golden Gate University
1980 Major Emphasis: Marketing and Finance
BS, Illinois State University, Normal Illinois
1971 Double Comprehensive Major art/education
Illinois Teaching Credential, grades K-12
California Emergency Credential, grades 1-8
Community Involvement and Awards:
Board Member Lafayette Film and Entertainment Foundation 2006
Orinda Park Pool Renovation Committee
Co-Director Friends of the Orinda Theatre 1982-1994, 2006
1989 Volunteer of the Year Award Friends of the Orinda Theatre
1989 Resolution County Board of Supervisors For The Orinda Theatre Preservation and Restoration.
