September 20, 2017 marked Sam Diannitto’s last meeting as a Commissioner of the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners (Board). After 42 years of serving our members, Commissioner Diannitto officially resigned his position as the Fire Retired Board Member and will pass the torch to a new representative who will be sworn into office at the October 5, 2017 Board Meeting.
Commissioner Diannitto’s career with the City started with the Fire Department in 1954. He retired as Assistant Fire Chief in 1997 with 43 years of service.
His legacy with the Board started in 1972 when he was elected by members of the Fire Department as the Fire Active Board Member. He served five terms for a total of twenty-five years. Commissioner Diannitto then began his tenure as the first elected Retired Fire Board Member on July 1, 2000, when the Charter was changed to allow two retired members to serve on the Board. He was re-elected to serve three more terms beginning in 2005, 2010 and most recently in 2015. Commissioner Diannitto held the position of Vice-President of the Board in 1975-76 and served twice as Board President in 1976-77 and 1991-92.
His education and other distinguished service includes:
- Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Southern California
- Certificate of Money Management and Advanced Money Management from Wharton School of Finance
- Vice President and later President of the National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems (NCPERS)
- Vice President of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City
- Chairperson and member of the Public Employees Committee of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP)
- Membership in various associations, including USC Alumni, Fire Chief Officers, NCPERS, IFEBP and Government Finance Officers.
On May 19, 2016, the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners formally dedicated the Boardroom in the LAFPP office building to Sam Diannitto. We will continue to recognize his long history of leadership, commitment and dedication to the sworn members of Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions. Thank you Commissioner Sam Diannitto for your service.