Newsletter
October/November 2016 Highlights
Honoring and Hiring our Veterans

A ribbon cutting ceremony opened doors to o ver 1,000 veterans from local military bases who returned from active duty to participate in the Honor a Hero - Hire a Vet Job and Resource Fair, hosted by The Valley Economic Alliance in partnership with the California Employment Development Department (EDD) on Thursday, November 10th at the Warner Center Marriott Woodland Hills. Veterans had priority access to 3,200 jobs and 90 employers. Employers took resumes, interviewed candidates, and even hired at the event. The event was then opened to public job seekers. 

Patriotic artist David SchwARTZ unveiled his newest painting "Will to Live, Will to Serve," during the opening ceremony.  SchwARTZ is best known for his controversial use of American flags as canvas for his art, and he creates exclusive paintings with unique themes for the job fair each year. This year's painting honors Corporal Tibor (Ted) Rubin, Holocaust survivor and Medal of Honor recipient. This year's flag was given to SchwARTZ by the Rubin family.  The flag was originally gifted to Corporal Rubin by Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez during his Medal of Honor recognition by President George W. Bush in 2005.  

The opening ceremony also included remarks by retired U.S. Army Captain Robert Huntley and the Deputy Director of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. who spoke on behalf of the Rubin family. Patrick Henning Jr., Director of EDD and Vito Imbasciani, Secretary of California Department of Veterans Affairs, also welcomed attendees and thanked our brave selfless veterans. 

Event sponsors included Bank of America, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Wells Fargo, Union Bank, CallSource, Republic Services, Glendale Community College, Workforce Development Board, Maximus, and Prudential. Media sponsors were Daily News and San Fernando Valley Sun.

Photo 1: Presentation of Colors by North Valley Military Institute in Sylmar. 
Photo 2. Red star event sponsor; Bank of America receiving copy of "Will to Live, Will to Serve" painting.  
Photo 3: Job seekers visiting employers. 
Alliance Board of Director's Meeting Recap

The Valley Economic Alliance hosted their Board of Director's meeting on October 13th. This month's program focus was access friendly programs with various guests speakers. Dennis Zine, former City of Los Angeles Councilmember and former Los Angeles Police Department sergeant, discussed improving City of Los Angeles sidewalks. 

Michael Munoz with Cutting Edge CNCpts discussed mobile concrete engraving; a Woodland Hills based company that engraves concrete, granite, wood and and metal for residential and commercial signage.
Katherine Beattie and Jamey Perry with WCMX Rise Adaptive Sports; a nonprofit organization whose mission is to assist people with physical challenges to recover and empower through recreational sports including ADA friendly skate parks. 
Presenting "Valley Visionaries" Blog!

The Valley Economic Alliance is pleased to announce our new blog that highlights "Valley Visionaries." This blog was created to thank and personalize our longtime,  dedicated and volunteer Board members. Our goal is to share their history of giving and highlight how their leadership has shaped the community. 
The blog will feature a  board member each week with their responses to a set of questions about their involvement in the community,  passion projects, why they continue to be a part of The Valley Economic Alliance, and so on. 

The first six Board members that will be featured were chosen  because they are Economic Alliance Founders and continue to be active Board members. 

Our first post features Zedar Broadous, a Reverend and Valley native whose  passions include creating networks of small businesses that work together to provide each other leads and services. Read more.

Visit www.thevalley.net/ValleyVisionary for weekly updates. 
In the News
U.S. Veterans get a hero's welcome at the San Fernando Valley Job Fair

Two weeks ago, U.S. Army Specialist Aisha Umar finished a three-year stint in the service and was worried about landing a civilian job.
A day before Veterans Day, she and a thousand U.S. veterans got a hero's welcome in Woodland Hills on November 10th at one of the largest veterans' job fairs in the state.
"I feel welcomed. I feel honored. I wasn't expecting this," said Umar, 27, of Canoga Park, who hopes to return to USC and get a job as a statistical data analyst, gazing at nearly 100 prospective employers eager to hire vets.
"When I got out two weeks ago, I didn't think anyone would hire veterans."
The 11th Honor a Hero - Hire a Vet Job and Resource Fair drew an estimated 1,000 veterans from across the Southland to the Warner Center Marriott for a day of encouragement, support and greetings from California companies who hoped to hire them.
The job fair, hosted by The Valley Economic Alliance and the California Employment Development Department, paired vets with 91 companies with 3,200 available jobs.
By focusing on veterans, they hoped to give thanks to the many Americans who served.
They also hoped to whittle down a 7.8 percent unemployment rate for veterans across Los Angeles County, nearly double the national rate for vets. The jobless rate for the more than 28,000 employable veterans in the City of Los Angeles was even higher, at 9.6 percent, state employment officials said,
"Events like these are a critical part of The Valley Economic Alliance's effort to strengthen our economy, support our brave veterans and build a more innovative San Fernando Valley," said Kenn Phillips, its president and CEO.
There were veterans who'd served during the Vietnam War, veterans who'd served during recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, and men and women who'd served in uniform in between.
They'd joined the service and had put off going to college, launching a career, starting a family and buying a home.
Now they were ready to start new routines.
Read Full.

Photo: Ribbon cutting ceremony opens the job fair. They've served their country in combat and in desk jobs through the U.S. armed services. Now on the eve of Veterans Day, San Fernando Valley employers today hoped to pay them back.
Source: Los Angeles Daily News
The Valley 200!

Kenn Phillips, President and CEO of The Valley Economics was chose as one of "The Valley 200" most influential leaders in the San Fernando, Conejo, Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys. The San Fernando Valley Business Journal (SFVBJ) selected impactful individuals such as those who are deeply involved in organizations that serve as the voice of business.

Charles Crumpley, Editor and Publisher of the SFVBJ said that this special book is an acknowledgment of those who, through dint of hard work, have dedicated to cause and daily ingenuity, who build up our economy, one day at a time. He said, the book is also an appreciation to those who are strengthening our community and a salute to the leaders we depend on. Congratulations Mr. Phillips!

Also selected were TVEA Board Members; David Fleming, Marla Clemow, Tamara Gurney, Fred Gaines, Coby King, Dianne Harrison, Bert Boeckmann, John Parker, Kevin Tamaki, Erika Endrijonas,  Chris Kimball, Robert L. Scott, Jan Sobel, and Philip Lanzafame.  
Cyber Vigilance and Business
Wednesday, November 30th
Workforce Development Board's New Members

The City of Los Angeles Workforce Development Board (WDB) oversees the expenditure of more than $50 million in public funds annually through the the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Board members are appointed by the Mayor from the leadership ranks of the education, economic development and organized labor fields as well as other key players in the Los Angeles economy.

For the 3rd time Kenn Phillips has been appointed to the WDB executive committee for 2016-2017. The Executive Committee has the authority to act upon matters arising from meetings of the Full WDB. Members collaborate with other committees to undertake initiatives to leverage resources, financial and otherwise, in support of the WDB's workforce development activities. The Committee acts as a catalyst for systemic reform to improve the provision and coordination of workforce development activities and services. It is also responsible for facilitating economic and labor market studies related to demand industries and occupations - and the skills required for employment in them. The Committee ensures continuous improvement of the WDB, actively coordinates with the City Council and the Mayor, resolves special inter-committee issues/opportunities, and establishes task forces as needed.

Kenn has also been re-appointed as the Chair of the Business Services, Marketing and Resource Development Committee. Members of this committee develop, implement, and monitor the WDB's marketing strategy for outreach to job seekers, youth and local and regional businesses and employers. They also make recommendations to the WDB regarding the provision of workforce development services that will meet the needs of employers and businesses. The Committee oversees branding of services and also the implementation of online workforce development services. The members oversee public relations and other outreach activities to ensure the issuance, publication and dissemination of data and reports to educate the public regarding the WDB's workforce development activities.
Wishing you Well...
Wishing our Boardmembers and non-profit organization leaders a happy retirement and continued success. We are grateful for your partnership with the Alliance, hard work, commitment and dedication to our communities. 
  • Roberto Barragan served as President and CEO of VEDC for 17 years.
  • Marianne Haver Hill steps down as CEO of MEND after 29 years.
  • Cynthia Sewell retired as CEO of New Horizons after a 28 year career. 
  • Jan Sobel retires after a decade of leading the West Valley Boys and Girls Club. 
We are grateful for your partnership with the Alliance, hard work, and dedication to our communities. 
Out and About

At  Cal Lutheran University's Corporate Leaders Breakfast on November 2nd. Photographed from left is; Diana Sanchez with Van Nuys Airport; speaker Michael Bronner, President of Dr. Bronner's; and Jacqui Matsumoto with TVEA.  

Michael discussed corporate social responsibility and fair trade at the Warner Center Marriott.  


The Alliance's Jacqui and Patricia spent their Sunday volunteering at the Sherman Oaks Street Fair, hosted by the Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce on October 16th. 

The Alliance exhibited and participated in VEDC's Business Forecast Conference and Luncheon on October 14th at Hilton Hotel in Universal City. Gene Skyes spoke at the luncheon on L.A. 2024; candidate city for Olympics games in 2024. 
The Valley Economic Alliance exhibited and networked at the Glendale Chamber of Commerce tabletop expo on October 19th at the Embassy Suites Hotel. 
Kenn Phillips presented "Breaking through your Personal Glass Ceiling" at C-Level Roundtable's "Create your business of the Future" networking brunch and workshop on October 29th at The Rockwell Table and Stage. 

At the Live 2 Lead conference on October 7th at Cal State University, Northridge. Speakers included John C. Maxwell, Simon Sinek, Liz Wiseman and Dan Cathy. 
The Valley Economic Alliance | 818-379-7000 | [email protected] | www.thevalley.net
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The mission of The Valley Economic Alliance is to elevate the economic vitality of our five-city region by assisting  the San Fernando Valley in business, education, & government. 

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