This week's column will focus on an extraordinary program and an invitation to all chamber members.  

     Leadership Torrance is a program focused on developing effective leaders from across the South Bay. Sponsored by the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Torrance provides opportunities for emerging leaders to take an active role towards building a stronger community. In existence for more than 40 years, Leadership Torrance offers not only a challenging and rewarding program, but also opportunities to network and connect with political leaders, businesses, and the community.

     "Through Leadership Torrance I learned new and creative ways to benefit the community that I live in, and network with other like-minded professionals," states Leslie Cortez,Senior Administrative Analyst, NPDES, Community Development Department, City of Torrance. "Since graduating in 2009 and Co-Directing the 2010 class, I have remained actively involved with the Leadership Torrance program each year, I stay in contact with the alumni and encourage LT graduates to stay involved with the Chamber. I stay in touch on a regular basis with many of them and look forward to attending events and programs where I get to see my LT friends and Chamber colleagues."

     "Leadership Torrance is a phenomenal program if you are looking to accelerate your connections in the South Bay," commented Philip de Souza, CEO, Aurora. "In a short period of time, LT provides you access to local business and government leaders; it is an immediate immersion into our history and genesis and exposure to the deep fabric of community and nonprofits that contribute generously to our vibrant South Bay ecosystem. For me personally, LT was a rapid ascension plan from Torrance resident to Chair of the Chamber. LT helped me immensely with learning the lay of the land and instrumental in allowing me to join some very energetic LT Alumni and create Discover Torrance."

     In celebration of the many graduates of the Leadership Torrance program, the chamber is hosting a Poolside Mixer on Wednesday, July 22nd at the Doubletree by Hilton Torrance-South Bay. All Chamber members are welcome to attend as well. The mixer will begin at 5:00 p.m. and conclude at 7:30 p.m. Reservations may be made at www.torrancechamber.com.

The TACC was featured in a news story regarding the state Legislature's current attempt to raise California's minimum wage to $11 per hour this January 1 and to $13 per hour in 2017. TACC's Vice Chair of Government Relations, Rob Van Lingen, provided insights from the business community to CitiCable 3 in its report that featured Torrance residences' viewpoints towards the state push to raise the minimum wage yet again. The TACC's position on minimum wage is to allow the current increase to $10/hr on January 1, 2016 to take place, and be closely analyzed for real effects on poverty, prior to any sort of discussion of a second increase.