Captain Kimberly Unland of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is retiring after 33 years of service.
Captain Unland has served Special Olympics Southern California and the Law Enforcement Torch Run Council in exemplary fashion for more than a decade. She was first named to the LETR Council in 2010 after serving as a key volunteer when SOSC hosted the 2010 LETR International Conference in Long Beach. She quickly rose through the leadership ranks, and in 2014 she became State LETR Director for Southern California.
Already known as one of LETR International’s elite programs, Unland brought her own unique leadership philosophy and strategy to the SOSC LETR Council, resulting in even greater success for the volunteer organization. Unland personally oversaw and influenced the recruiting, selection and on-boarding of new Council members from the Law Enforcement ranks, bringing a greater level of strength and influence to the volunteer organization. Under her leadership, standing committees—including Executive, Finance, Marketing/Communications and Development—flourished, resulting in LETR raising as much as $1.7 million annually.
Unland also led the creation of LETR’s Strategic and Revenue Plans, along with creating the official LETR Charter.
A strong believer in collaboration and servant leadership, Unland is especially proud of serving eight years on SOSC’s Board of Directors, along with working cohesively with SOSC’s staff and other key volunteers.
SOSC/LETR was selected for several International Awards during Unland’s tenure as State Director, culminating in 2021 with the “trifecta.” Retired CHP Lt. Adam Christin was selected to the International LETR Hall of Fame; Santa Barbara officer Butch Rinaldi was chosen as the Unsung Hero; and SOSC Athlete Michael Leon was selected as Athlete of the Year.
Also, thanks to Unland’s influence the SOSC/LETR Hall of Fame will be inaugurated in 2022 to honor those who have helped the success of the Law Enforcement Torch Run in Southern California.
In lieu of retirement gifts, Kim Unland is accepting donations for Special Olympics Southern California.