Mayor Ariel "Ari" Pe was first elected to the Lakewood City Council in March 2020. He was named as vice mayor for the 2022-2023 term. Pe began serving his first term as mayor on July 11, 2023.
Ari is a proud product of the Lakewood community and local schools, having lived in the city for over 50 years. He attended Saint John Bosco High School and earned his Business Administration degree with a marketing emphasis from California State University, Long Beach. Ari is a small business owner, starting Labwerkz Print Shop after a successful marketing career for global apparel and product companies.
Prior to joining the City Council, Ari was involved with numerous community groups. He serves or has served on the board of directors of the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Lakewood, Lakewood Family YMCA, Lakewood Regional Medical Center, Long Beach City College Foundation, St. Joseph High School Knights of Columbus, Bellflower Unified School District's Career Technical Education Board, Lakewood Meals On Wheels and Pathways Volunteer Hospice.
He also contributes to the business community by serving as an advisor with the Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Center Network.
Ari and his wife Karmina, a teacher for the Paramount Unified School District, are proud parents to daughter Natalia.
Mayor Pe is the first Filipino American council member in Lakewood history, and his current term on the City Council runs through March 2024.