This page lists information for media organizations and other public entities to use when informing their audiences about environmental issues pertaining to Paramount. For all press inquiries, please contact Chris Callard at Paramount City.
He can be reached at (562) 220-2156 or ccallard@paramountcity.com.
Mission Statement
Paramount is a city of just under 55,000 residents that is characterized by a balanced combination of residential, industrial, and commercial developments. Once the hay and dairy capital of Southern California, the city, which incorporated in 1957, eventually turned into a blighted suburb. Launching a revitalization effort in the mid-1980, Paramount eventually became known for its successful transformation into an attractive, innovative city with a good quality of life. Located at the gateway to the Los Angeles metropolitan area, Paramount is near four major freeways, Los Angeles International Airport, and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The city has earned numerous state and federal awards for its inventive strategic planning, progressive public safety initiatives, and investment in capital improvements. It is also known as the home of the world-famous Zamboni ice resurfacing machine, which was invented by Frank Zamboni at the Iceland skating rink and is still manufactured in the City.
Today, Paramount is a community of landscaped boulevards, superior police services, parks, recreation programs, affordable housing, public art, and tree-lined neighborhoods with white picket fences. The City has traditionally been on very sound financial ground, conservatively managing its funds and investments to ensure important services for its residents are regularly available. This fiscal approach has consistently led to budget surpluses and recognition for superior financial reporting and management from state and federal organizations over the last 30 years. For more information, please visit www.paramountcity.com.
Bio of Vilma Cuellar Stallings
Vilma Cuellar Stallings grew up in Paramount and graduated from Paramount High School. She has served on the City’s Public Safety and Parks & Recreation commissions, was elected to the Paramount City Council in March 2020, and is in her first term as Mayor.
She is the City’s representative on the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority, the County Sanitation Districts of L.A. County Districts 1 & 2, the L.A. County City Selection Committee, the Clean Power Alliance, the Gateway Cities / COG Board of Directors, the City Council/Paramount School District Ad Hoc Committee, and the Paramount Historical Society.
Cuellar Stallings is retired from a 30-year career as a Librarian with the Paramount Unified School District. She is a member of the Paramount/Tepic Sister Cities organization and the Paramount Heritage Parade Committee. With her husband, Danny, she has two daughters and five grandchildren.
Bio of City Manager John Moreno
John Moreno, Paramount’s City Manager since October of 2015, first began working for the City as a management analyst in 1993. Since that time he has served as Assistant Public Works Director, Assistant Public Safety Director, Public Safety Director, and Assistant City Manager.
He is an active member of International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and the California City Management Foundation (CCMF). He serves on the Gateway Cities Economic Development Working Group and was appointed to the California Sex Offender Management Board by Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon.
Moreno has a Bachelor’s degree in history from UCLA and a Master’s in public administration from USC. The Fresno native is married and has two children.
