Ara Najarian

Early life and education Najarian was born and raised in Ohio. His parents, Vardges and Mary Najarian, are physicians and philanthropists. He attended Bucknell University in Pennsylvania for two years after being recruited to play on their football team.

He moved to Glendale in 1980 when his parents relocated there,

Najarian lost his 2016 primary race running for Board of County Supervisors during which he had the endorsement of the League of Conservation Voters.

He retired from the Glendale City Council in 2026 after five terms, and was succeeded by Alek Bartrosouf.

Community service He is a member of the board of directors of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. He served as chairman of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Agency from 2009 to 2010. He has been a member of the board of directors of the Southern California Regional Railroad Authority (Metrolink) since 2006. He has two children.