Fil-Am Gloria Perlas Pulido named chair of Cerritos Planning Commission
Cerritos Planning Commissioners (from left) Kiritkumar Chauhan, Armin Reyes, Chair Gloria Perlas Pulido and Benjamin Ao.
CERRITOS, Calif. – The City of Cerritos, California, has appointed Filipino American Gloria Perlas Pulido as the new chair of its Planning Commission.
A longtime resident and well-known community advocate, Pulido has served on the commission since June 23, 2022, when she was appointed by Councilmember Frank Aurelio Yokoyama.
Pulido’s appointment reflects the city’s commitment to inclusive and community-focused planning. In addition to her role on the Planning Commission, she has been actively involved in various local initiatives.
With her leadership and professional background, Pulido is expected to guide the commission in making decisions that shape the future growth and development of Cerritos, with a focus on community-centered planning and sustainable development.
A State of California employee since 1998, Pulido has worked in several capacities. She served as a legislative staffer for two California State Assemblymembers representing Cerritos, including as senior assistant to John Chiang during his tenure as state controller and treasurer.
She also worked as an external affairs officer for Treasurer Fiona Ma, covering Southern California. In 2024, Pulido transitioned to the ScholarShare Investment Board, managing outreach and engagement for Los Angeles County, under Treasurer Ma’s leadership.
As a community advocate, Pulido also volunteered as chair and member of the Strategic Planning Board Advisory Committee.
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The Planning Commission serves an advisory role, making recommendations to the City Council on zoning and development projects vetted by the city staff. Prior to becoming chair, Pulido reviewed several key projects, including the new drive-thru Starbucks, the Norm Reeves Genesis of Cerritos project and the Valley Christian High School Stadium project.
The current Planning Commission members, in addition to Pulido, include Filipino American Jose “Armin” Reyes, Benjamin Ao, Kiritkumar Chauhan and Deepak “DJ” Jhaveri.
Cerritos is a suburban city in southeastern Los Angeles County, known for its well-planned neighborhoods, high-quality public services and strong economic base.
The city is predominantly Asian (63 percent), with the remainder of the population made up of White, Hispanic/Latino and Black/African American residents.
Incorporated as Dairy Valley in 1956, the city was renamed Cerritos in 1967 as it transitioned from dairy farming to a modern suburban community.
Today, Cerritos is home to Cerritos Auto Square, one of the largest auto malls in the US, as well as a state-of-the-art library, a major shopping mall and the prestigious Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.
Pulido, who has lived in Cerritos since 1979, brings a unique perspective to her role as Commission chair, being the only commissioner who grew up in the city.
“I believe in taking a big-picture approach, listening to diverse opinions, having discussions, and making informed decisions that serve the best interests of our city and its residents,” Pulido said.
She encourages residents to share their concerns at Planning Commission meetings or through public comments.
“We live in a democracy, and residents should feel empowered to know that their opinions are valued,” Pulido added. “Residents can call the city, send an email, or attend a meeting to ensure their concerns are recorded and addressed.”
Pulido is married to former Cerritos Mayor and current Councilmember Mark Pulido. The couple, both alumni of the same high school and college, chose to raise their family in Cerritos. They have two children, Malia and Mark Jr.
