In a precedent-making move, the La Cañada Flintridge Republican Club announced the appointment of Alexander S. Keledjian to the post of treasurer of the local political organization.

Club chairman Al Restivo announced that upon the resignation of current club treasurer Tom Passanisi, he would recommend that Keledjian fill this important role.

Keledgian, a La Cañada High School senior, is 17 years old and more than likely the youngest person to ever serve this role in any political club in the country. The board of directors approved the appointment at its recent board meeting.

“We are taking no risk putting Alex in this important role,” said Restivo in announcing the appointment. “Alex, through the work he has done building the Young Republican Club at the high school to over 100 members, and his role as a member of our board of directors, has proven that he can effectively fill this role. Over the past two years he has exceeded our expectations and has proven that he possesses wisdom and maturity beyond his young age. We can now continue to train him to do [even] more important work for the Republican Party in the La Cañada Flintridge area and in the foothills.”

Passanisi resigned due to the increasing workload he is undertaking as program chairman of the Kiwanis Club and other volunteer work he has become involved with, including his role on the pastoral council of St. Bede the Venerable Roman Catholic Church. Passanisi will remain an active member of the board of directors.

While assuming his new role, Keldijian will continue his role as president of the Young Republicans as well as his current role as student representative to the La Cañada Unified School District board of education. The governing board recently appointed him to serve on its board.

Though Keledjian is only 17, he is not a stranger to the Republican Party. Keledjian is the current president of the Young Republicans of La Cañada Flintridge and has served on the board of directors of the senior organization for the past two years, first as an observer and later a s a full member representing the interests of the youth organization. He is also a member of the La Cañada Flintridge Youth Council, which is a city commission that uses taxpaying dollars to benefit the youth of the city.

“I am very excited to serve as the new party treasurer,” said Keledjian. “I am looking forward to learning more about managing finances of organizations in my new role. I am also very thankful for the confidence that Chairman Restivo continues to have in me and for the mentoring I have been receiving and continue to receive form the professionals who are members of the board with whom I serve.

“I hope my appointment will encourage more young people to becoming involved in the political process.”