Don Knabe was overwhelmingly elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in November, 1996. He officially began his first term on December 2, 1996.

He was elected to the Cerritos City Council in 1980 and served for eight years, including two terms as mayor. Don was very involved in supporting and implementing the city's general plan, first as a citizen voicing his views, then as a planning commissioner, city council member and mayor. The plan, now regarded as a national model for sensible growth, called for development of Cerritos Auto Square and Los Cerritos Shopping Center, creating a tax base that provided jobs, more citizen services and doubled the number of city parks and allowed for the creation of nationally acclaimed Cerritos Performing Arts Center.

As mayor, Don responded to the tragic Cerritos air disaster by helping to coordinate federal, state and local emergency services and shepherding the arduous healing process. In the midst of county, community and personal tragedy, Don encouraged the County Mental Health Department to implement door-to-door teams to help residents cope with the shocking accident, which today is a standard procedure at major disasters.

Following a successful career as a small business owner, Don Knabe joined County Supervisor Deane Dana's staff in 1982, soon becoming chief of staff. It was through Don's personal efforts that County ocean lifeguards were transferred to the County Fire Department.

Raised in Illinois, Don Knabe earned a degree in business administration from Graceland College (Lamoni, Iowa) and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After his honorable discharge, Don and his wife, Julie, settled in Cerritos.

The Knabes have been married 28 years. Julie (Gillbreath), a Long Beach native and Cerritos Chamber of Commerce past president, operates her own customer relations firm, J.D. Knabe & Associates. Don Knabe is a past president of the Cerritos Optimist Club and past governor of Optimist's Pacific Southwest District. His sons, Curt and Matt, are Pepperdine University graduates. The Knabes are active members of the New Life Community Church in Artesia.

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