Frequently Asked Questions

• Ping Pong tables in the parks (2016)
• Binocular telescopes added to the Pier ( 2015
• Live Oak Park – Tot Lot updated with new equipment ( 2014 )
• Water Stations put in at the Strand and Park ( 2013 )
• Sustainable Garden added by the Post Office ( 2012 )
• Bike Racks added to various parts of the City ( 2011 )
• Round House Aquarium Signage for tanks plus new AV System (2010)
• Solar Trash Compactors purchased for parks ( 2009 )

CLICK HERE to see all of the Past LMB Class Projects

In 1990, local resident and former COO of Body Glove, Russ Lesser, formed “the Original Committee” of fellow Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce members, to replicate a similar program he was impressed with in Long Beach.

Another Chamber Board member and local resident Paul Allman took on the task of establishing the program. He designed and wrote the course curriculum and handout material. The first class was launched in 1991 and graduated in 1992. Paul facilitated every class session until 1998 when other facilitators were hired, but continued working with the important class retreat for the next 20 years. He also established the Leadership Board in 1993 and was President for the first several years.

Our Founding Partners are The City of Manhattan Beach, Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce and Manhattan Beach Unified School District. Our Founding Sponsors are Chevron and Northrop Grumman.

Included in our over 600 Alumni we count both our Police and Fire Chiefs along with much of their command staffs. Many of our Alumni are City Councilmembers, Mayors, MB Chamber of Commerce members including their CEO as well as members of other local and national non-profit organizations.

LMB Alumni currently hold fifteen seats as City Commissioners.

If you are interested in learning more about our amazing city or get more involved in community politics, Leadership Manhattan Beach is for you.

To begin your journey, go to out applications page by CLICKING HERE.

During the first portion of the 9-month program, students meet at various locations in the community Joslyn Center, the Police & Fire Department Community Room, Mira Costa High School, Beach Cities Health District, West Basin Water Reclamation Plant, City Council Chambers and Northrop Grumman.

At each location, the class is able to learn more about the import contribution each of these locations provides to the community.

Dinner is served at all LMB Classes.

LMB is a 501 c (3) non-profit organization that is supported in part by our generous sponsors and Alumni.

Students do pay tuition of $899 for adults and $499 for students, however, the bulk of the program costs come from our Sponsors.

Please visit our Sponsors Page and support them whenever possible. We could not do all that we do without them.

Although we hope that you will be able to attend all of the sessions and tours, we understand that you have a life and things can come up.

We do allow up to two session absences, however, if you miss more than two sessions, at the Facilitator’s discretion you may not be able to graduate with your class or be dropped from the program altogether.

Please note that the two Retreats are mandatory and missing either is an automatic drop from the program.

LMB relies on our generous Sponsors for most of our program costs. However, some of those expenses are offset by participant tuitions.

Adult Tuition: $899
Student Tuition: $499

Tuition can be paid either by check or credit card. Tuition must be paid in full prior to our Annual Summer Social.

No, you do not need to be a resident of Manhattan Beach to apply. It is helpful however if you have some connection to the city, but not mandatory.

For example, you may own a business here or be employed by a local business.

Yes, you most certainly can. We have had a parent and child in the class. We have also had married and engaged couples.