Civic Involvement
Meet Paul
Paul Naccachian is no stranger to the community and the City of Azusa, which he considers home since 1987. Born in Lebanon of Armenian descent, Paul and his family moved to the United States to find better opportunities and the American Dream. Serving the community and getting involved in the non-profit sector to bring about social change has always been part of Paul’s civic involvement.
“[His] earliest memory was in college when [he] had the opportunity to be involved with a community oriented non-profit in Watts California that helped shape and restore troubled youth to be reintroduced into the community as functional members of society.”
Soon after completing his Bachelors degree at University of California, Irvine with dual major in Political Science and History, Paul moved and settled in New York attending law school in Connecticut. During law school, Paul helped organize the effort to save several historic buildings in downtown Stanford, CT, as well as other environmental issues in the area.
Upon completion of law school, Paul was offered a job at a major oil company, but opted to work with non-profit organizations. Years later, during a visit with his parents in Azusa, Paul recognized the disappointing neglect and stagnancy in Downtown Azusa and saw an opportunity. He and his sister, Angela, took a pioneering step to restore several downtown buildings and opened Balzac Café on Azusa Avenue.
“As [he] got involved over the years, [his] understanding of the City grew stronger
and [his] commitment to make a difference began to take a central
role.” Accordingly, Paul involved himself in local politics serving
on various committees and business organizations. He first joined
the newly created Azusa Downtown Business Association, serving
as its president for over five years. In addition, he also served
as the Vice President of the Azusa Chamber of Commerce and Chairman
of the Azusa Human Relations Commission which he founded. During
that time, Paul utilized his leadership skills in collaborating
with
various
organizations
including Azusa Pacific University in planning and preparing annual
activities such as: Annual Soap Box Derby, Mariachi Festival, Annual
MLK Celebration/Hands Across Azusa, Arts on the Avenue and Friends
of the Azusa City Library.
As an artist, Paul always had a passion for the arts. He created Beyond Vision
United, a non-profit organizations with the goal to promote, educate
and improve literacy through the arts. The objective of the Organization
is to enrich the quality of life and increase knowledge in order
to build meaning, safety and purpose in the community.
Two examples of this were ‘Artists United: Bringing Color to Azusa’
and ‘Imagine the Possibilities; Bringing Change to Azusa’.
Paul has received numerous awards and Congressional recognition for his dedication and community service in the City of Azusa. Including his involvement with the Azusa Unified School District through the High School Business Mentor Program, and lectures on current Human Rights violations and Genocide issues around the world.
After completing his post-Juris Doctorate degree at Pepperdine University in Dispute Resolution, Paul developed a University curriculum on resolving Human Rights violations
using the Dispute Resolution Model, which has been implemented
internationally. He continues his endeavors in Mediation Negotiation,
Arbitration, and various research projects.