Meet The Board

The member of the Magnolia Park Merchants Association board.

Kathy Ross

President

My name is Kathy Ross. My husband and I have owned Blast From The Past since 2003. Our current location on Magnolia Blvd is our third location in Magnolia Park and our largest. We are happy to say that our business has grown with each move. We are a TV, movie and comic book related toy and collectibles store, so we fit in with a lot of the other family owned collectible stores in Magnolia Park. I have been active on the MPMA Holiday in the Park committee since 2013 and have been on the MPMA Board since 2016. I have a great love for this area and want to see it succeed. I have seen how much this area has grown since the creation of the Magnolia Park Merchant Association through the hard work that has gone into getting the Magnolia Park area branded, advertised on social media and noticed on a much larger scale. I want to see it continue to grow and thrive. I believe in areas like this where families can come to shop, make friends and enjoy what their community has to offer. But above all else, I want to see the small and unique businesses in our area work together for the common goal of keeping Magnolia Park alive, growing and safe -- where we can share information with each other, help each other and watch out for each other. We are a retail/business community.

Kathleen Lenihan

Vice President

Kathleen Lenihan is the owner of Junk for Joy, operating the family-run business since 2014. Junk for Joy hosts an extensive collection of deadstock and rare vintage finds, and prides itself on stellar and personable service. Customers become friends! Prior to running a small business, Kathleen worked as an early childhood educator for twenty-five years and holds a Masters in Education. During this time, she frequented Magnolia Park as a customer and has witnessed the community evolve into a trendy and special destination!

Junk for Joy has been in business since 1976, and the landmark costume and vintage store has called Magnolia Park home for over twenty-five years. This is Kathleen’s first year on the MPMA board. She is excited to support fellow local businesses and help inspire the community to protect the charm and preserve the integrity of Magnolia Park.

Catalina Perez

Board Member

My name is Catalina Perez Hernandez. My husband and I have owned Four Corners Custom Framing since 1996. The dream of owning our own business brought us to this wonderful area called Magnolia Park. Our first shop was located on Hollywood Way, and then in 2008 we moved to our current location on Magnolia Blvd. My husband’s knowledge of framing and photography was the main reason that pushed us to build this dream. I had planned to become a teacher and got my BA from CSUN. But working in our business gave me the opportunity to have my children with me, and I have truly come to love creating art pieces for all our clients. Four Corners Custom Framing offers framing and photography services to public and film businesses. Doing business in this area makes us feel at home and welcomed by the community we serve. We are very proud to be members of Magnolia Park Merchants Association because this group thrives to bring the community together with events and helps its members grow through promotions and support. I am excited to help promote Magnolia Park for the community we serve.

Ross A. Benson

Board Member

Coming Soon

Betty Porto

Board Member

Betty Porto is one of three siblings who own and run the famous Porto’s Bakery & Café chain. Betty was born in Cuba and migrated to California with her family in 1971. Betty earned a Bachelor’s degree in 1980 from Cal State LA and received her Master’s degree in Political Science from UCLA in 1982. After graduating, Betty helped with the expansion of her family’s business and settled into her role as Vice-President and Director of Community Relations. Today, Betty has the pleasure of working alongside hundreds of local organizations in an effort to give back to the community. She has served as an advisor on the Glendale Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Program Committee, a panelist for Glendale Community College Culinary Program, and the Glendale Advisory Board, among others. In 2005, Betty was named Latin Business Woman of the Year by The National Latin Business Women Association, and in 2008, The Glendale Latino Association named Betty Woman of the Year.

Karina Konupek

Membership Facilitator

Burbank resident, wife and mother of 3, Karina is a self-proclaimed Renaissance Woman. With 2 of her 3 business in Burbank, she is known as the local artist and creative problem solver. Along with her Landscaping savant Husband, Ed of 30 years, together they own KB5 Design Studio which opened during the lock down of 2021 and were voted BEST of Landscaping for 2022. Their children have all worked with business in Magnolia Park and have a love for the area. Karina has a Bachelor’s degree in Art from Cal State University, Northridge, was in the performing arts from the age of 3 and began teaching at 13 yrs of age. She went on to work with “the” Gene Kelly as his personal assistant and what a dream it was. As an Athlete, her interest in the healing arts became critical and so simultaneously pursued her training in over 30 different modalities in Energy and Healing Arts. Missing her creative expression, Karina decided to put on her entrepreneur hat and started Artistic Entertainment Los Angeles. This company has been in serving the best artistic entertainment / management for over 18 years. Recently, Karina and her artists have been awarded over 15 awards for their skills. She has a passion for “seeing: clearly, common sense, efficiency and COLOR! KB5designstudio.com | ArtisticLA.com

Jeff Ferguson