Meet Mark

GARDENA COUNCILMAN – MARK E. HENDERSON 

“Experience that Matters” Re-Elect Henderson on March 3, 2020

Mark E. Henderson Ed.D is seeking re-election to the Gardena City Council.  Since his election in March 2015, Councilman Henderson continues to work on behalf of the City of Gardena.  The Councilman conducted multiple "Open City Hall" meetings and community meetings in the local parks.  He sponsored a resource event with the Department of Business Services with the State of California to focus on our community seniors' needs.  Councilman Henderson led the adoption of technology used for the council that has reduced paper creation and paper expenditures.  Dr. Henderson remained proactive in committees related to providing fiber optic cable systems within the City of Gardena to support infrastructure projects associated with traffic control.  The Councilman, a positive part of the City's team to achieve economic development and parity within Los Angeles County. 

He is an advocate of the business community to ensure that small to medium business enterprises actively participate in economic development opportunities.  He has been integral in the improvements to the recreation facilities.  Councilman Henderson has introduced multiple ordinances that are improving the quality of life in the City of Gardena.  He has also stood firm on issues that our community has previously decided.  He has helped the City maintain a stable financial position and to educate and increase community participation in the budgeting process through the "Budget in Brief" initiative.

After the election of March 2015, Councilmember Henderson was appointed to Mayor Pro Tem in April 2016 and served as Acting Mayor until the March 2017 election.  That experience, along with the previous experience as an appointed member of the Planning and Environmental Quality Commission, from 2010 to 2013 and past chairman (during 2012), pushes him to continue to research and work to improve the environment within our community and stand firm on environmental justice concerns.  His past role as a Member-at-Large of the Gardena Rent Mediation Board continues to fuel his work to ensure that our community is affordable and thriving.  The Councilman will continue to work tirelessly to provide appropriate housing conditions, and opportunities are available.  

During his first term, his Council responsibilities included representing Gardena as a delegate to the Centinela Youth Services, serving as alternate City delegate to the Southern California Association of Governments, and the West Basin Water Association.  Councilman Henderson selected as the delegate to the Independent Cities Association, which is a consortium of 40 cities within Los Angeles County.  Councilman Henderson has presided as the President of ICA and positively represented the City of Gardena.    

Dr. Henderson's biographical background has changed slightly.  Henderson was born in Harbor City, CA, and raised in Los Angeles County.  After completing his military service in the U.S. Navy, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Telecommunications Management from DeVry University, a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Redlands, and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from the University of La Verne. Currently, an administrator at Los Angeles Pierce College and has been with the Los Angeles Community College District since 2002. Councilman Hendersons' held previous leadership roles for municipalities in California. In 2014 the Center for Digital Education recognized him as a Top 30 Technologist, Transformer, and Trailblazer.  He has also attended the University of Southern California Sol Price Public Policy Institute for Elected Officials and now sits on the advisory board.  

Twenty-five years as a resident of Gardena, Councilman Henderson remains actively involved in the life of our community.  As a past volunteer coach for City of Gardena youth sports activities and city commissioner for Gardena Pop Warner, he strives to develop program opportunities for our community youth.  This obligation was born from his past work as President of a community-based organization named Brothers Inc., which works with middle school-aged African-American and Latino males in the disciplines of decision-making and critical thinking. Councilman Henderson works to assist others in becoming their best selves.  He remains the Board President of PV Jobs Inc., which operates to train community members and Veterans to obtain employment within the Building and Construction Trades. He remains active in addressing Homelessness and Veterans’ concerns in Los Angeles County.

Councilman Henderson still believes in placing the community first while developing and collaboratively deploying success strategies with all stakeholders to improve our elite City.