Newsletter
January-March 2017 Highlights
HealthX - Career Fair & Expo
Wednesday, April 19, 2017

The Valley Economic Alliance (TVEA) and Los Angeles Valley College present  HealthX - Career Fair & Expo  on  April 19th  at Los Angeles Valley College. 

HealthX from  9:30am-11:00am  will be taking place at the Main Stage Theater and feature 
TED talk style presentations and demonstrations on the latest and most innovative 
health and wellness practices. Presentations by Valley Presbyterian Hospital, Dr. Sean Younai, Dr. Ronald Belczyk and Concorde Career College. Topics to be announced. 
 
The  Career Fair and Health Expo from  8:30am-12:30pm will be taking place at the 
Student Union Plaza and will feature employment opportunities, free health screenings, 
health activities, premier health providers, health services and business resources. 

Visit www.tinyurl.com/HealthX-Expo for complimentary general admission tickets, exhibitor tables, employer tables and sponsorship opportunities! 
TechX & Expo Recap

The Valley Economic Alliance hosted it's second annual  TechX & Expo on  March 16th at The Sportsmen's Lodge Events Center. 

A TVEA Board of Governor's meeting kicked off the eventful day. Newly appointed Board members were recognized including Roschell Ashley of New Horizons, Frank Miller of Hollywood Burbank Airport, Thomas Priselac of Cedars Sinai, David Tedesco of IMT Residential and Christine Purse of Ignite Strategic Communications. 
TechX included educational tech talks and tech demonstrations, followed by networking with exhibitors and learning about services and resources available to businesses at the Expo. 

Erik Rasmussen, Cyber Practice Leader at Kroll Cyber Security shared cyber security tips and business solutions. 

Veronica Gonzalez, Kenia Shi, Daniela Orozco and Wendy Samayoa with   DIY Girls InvenTeam from San Fernando High School demonstrated their  homeless shelter prototype tent made from water resistant insulation. The tent  utilizes solar energy to power electronic devices such as cell phones and LED lights, and included a device that sanitizes the tent's interior, 
Kjell Nesen, Chief Operating Officer of Alltemp Solutions; shared how to lower energy costs by an average of 25% with Alltemp; an eco-friendly, energy saving, affordable, sustainable, and universal refrigerant alternative to ozone depleting HCFC's and highly regulated Freon.
Heath Patton , Vice President of Marketing at The Merchant Source shared ways to build, manage, and market customer sales and sales database with FanCONNECT, a platform that services retailers, restaurants and professional businesses. 

Event sponsors included Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Van Nuys Airport, Kroll Cyber Security, So Cal Gas Company, VICA, Alltemp Solutions, FanCONNECT, Chase, Daily News, San Fernando Valley Business Journal, WCOBM Hollywood, San Fernando Sun, and Largest Mixer. 

Photo 1: TechX presenters, TVEA staff, and Mistress of Ceremonies, Kecia Washington with LADWP. 
Photo 2: Panel question and answer session with TechX presenters.
Photo 3: Event sponsor, Van Nuys Airport exhibiting.
"Housing our Workers" Forum Recap 

The Valley Economic Alliance, Southland Regional Association of Realtors, Inc., Biz Fed Institute, and National Association of Realtors hosted the "Housing our Workers" Forum on February 8th at the Airtel Plaza Hotel.  The goal of the forum was to educate attendees regarding Los Angeles' housing supply shortage for workers and to motivate policy makers to activate a solution oriented plan of action.
The event included exhibitors and breakout groups on labor partners, social benefits, government partners, neighborhood advocates, public-private partners, and traditional and creative financing. 

The event concluded with a luncheon where breakout group findings were shared. Ben Metcalf, Director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development was the luncheon's keynote speaker. 
Photo 1: Kenn Phillips with Mel Wilson, GAD, SRAR
Photo 2: Break panel discussion. 
Lifetime Leadership Award at Entrepreneur Awards

Kenn Phillips received the  Lifetime Leadership Award at The World Networks' 3rd Annual Entrepreneur Awards on February 22nd at Allure Banquet Hall in Van Nuys. Kenn was awarded for lifetime achievement in leadership and community enrichment. 
The black tie gala was hosted by Lousine Karibian, Founder and President of The World Networks who is cur rently in TVEA's  accelerator  program. The World Networks is a network for entrepreneurs whose mission is to connect entrepreneurs to opportunities worldwide while giving back to the community.
"I would like to thank The World Networks for this recognition and to Lousine Karibian for continuing to support our entrepreneurial  human spirit. It is more powerful than any drug and needs to be nourished every day," said Phillips.

The event recognized  local and international entrepreneurs that were selected among top nominees for being highly recommended, offer unique products/services, are involved in the community, and make a difference in the world by impacting their industry, and empowering other entrepreneurs by creating opportunities.

Photo 1: Pictured with Kenn is Randy Witt, Secretary on The Valley Economic Alliance's management committee and President of Randy Witt Productions, who introduced Kenn to receive his award. 
Photo 2: Kenn Phillips with Lousine Karibian, The World Networks' Founder and President.
Economic Alliance Initiatives Rebooted!

Economic development, workforce and education investment, livable communities, and marketing are The Valley Economic Alliance's core initiatives. TVEA hosted a meeting on February 23rd with each initiative's co-chair who also serve on The Alliance's board. 

The purpose of the meeting was to coordinate and communicate projects and programs within each initiative, work closer with board members, recommend changes, expansions, and new ideas per each co chair's expertise.
The Workforce and Education Investment Initiative works in partnership with the Development Initiative, private sector agencies, and government agencies to provide educational programs and successful business hiring solutions including: hiring tax incentives and credits, identify critical long term job skill needs, recognize outstanding school-to-career partners and national students, schools and educators. The Workforce and Education Co-Chairs are Dr. Erika Endrijonas of Los Angeles Valley College, Carmen Bowen of Concorde Career College, and Kim Guard of Express Employment Professionals. 

The Economic Development Initiative  fosters economic growth and prosperity for businesses in the San Fernando Valley.The Economic Development Co-Chairs are Paula Bahamon of Bank of America, Paul Palkovic of Bolton & Company, John Parker of Parker Brown Inc., and Kecia Washington of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.              

The Livable & Sustainable Communities Initiative develops objective research, provides information to add value to and create change on determined challenges that will assure the livability, sustainability and economic vitality of Valley communities.The Livable and Sustainable Communities Initiatives Co-Chairs are Mark L. Levinson of Law Office of Mark L. Levinson, Winston Stromberg of Latham & Watkins, Darnell Tyler of NBC Universal and Keith McPherson of A Cool Nerd. 

The Marketing Initiative m arkets TVEA as the economic development and marketing organization for the region, and brands and markets the San Fernando Valley as a unique region to live, work, learn, and play.  The Marketing Initiative Co-Chairs are Randy Witt of Randy Witt Productions and Melene Alfonso of Los Angeles Daily News. 
New Business Accelerator Program Members Start in Economic Alliance Office

The Valley Economic Alliance's Business Accelerator Program welcomed new members this quarter! 
Daniela Lima is Founder of For You By You Fashion; custom made clothing for you, designed by you.  A consultant will assess your sizing, style and vision, recommend fabric, show you your idea in 3D, and manufacture your custom garment.  Visit www.foryoubyyoufashion.com  for more information. 

Kedra Dawkins assists production companies who need crew at a moment's notice  to save time and budget by connecting them with qualified filmmakers. She is creating a culture of hiring in the film industry and actively seeking reputable clients to work with expanding her network exponentially. Contact Kedra at [email protected] for more information. 

Tammy McCrary founded Artistology and  helps artists powerfully connect with their fans and monetize that connection by using a step-by-step program specifically designed to empower them. The Artistology Academy is set to launch in June. 

Abbi Yeboah founded Pinkshoe Marketing and  empowers women entrepreneurs to build a profitable online presence for their brand that directs traffic to their website, connects and engages them with their target audience, and establishes a fanatic customer base. She also assists women in identifying, developing, and successfully marketing their brands online, by aligning their brand story to their marketing efforts. Visit www.pinkshoemarketing.com for more information. 

Michelle Lockert is Founder of Mimi's Naturally and produces raw and gluten free snacks and skincare products including body oils,body butters, lip balm, body buffers and bath bombs. Her mission is to create pure and natural products with minimal ingredients and maximum healing properties. Visit  www.mimisnaturally.com to learn more. 
Airbag Recall 

The Valley Economic Alliance has partnered with The Dolpin Group to assist and educate businesses in the San Fernando Valley region about defective Takata airbags and a vital recall. 

Pictured is John D. Buretta, Independent Monitor for Takata and the Coordinated Remedy Program at a press conference on March 27th at Los Angeles Trade Technical College. 

Nearly 70 million defective Takata airbag inflators, in approximately 42 million vehicles, are or will be under recall in the United States by 2020. The airbag inflators in certain 2001-2003 Hondas and Acuras pose the most urgent threat, with up to a 50% chance of exploding upon deployment. Defective airbag inflators blast shrapnel into the passenger compartment during exploding, resulting in serious injury or death.

Through our business assistance and layoff aversion program, the TVEA team has been visiting auto repair and auto body shop owners in the Pacoima region and informing them about how critical it is to check whether a vehicles airbag inflator is under recall, inform them about next steps to take and how to schedule a free repair. 

Contact Ken Broderick at [email protected] to learn more. 
Out and About

Kenn Phillips was featured on WCOBM TV; a network that streams live from Hollywood and Las Vegas with host and CFO Bruce Garrett. 
The Valley Economic Alliance's Kenn Phillips, Erica Gass, Jacqui Matsumoto, Angela Amirkhanian and Ken Broderick completed Integrity Solutions' 8 week seminar on developing coaching skills and helping peers improve their productivity and performance.

Facilitated by Johnny Walker, t he objective of Integrity Coaching behavior change process is to help managers:
  • Increase their competence, confidence and commitment to coaching.
  • Gain awareness of their leadership style through self-assessment.
  • Implement a goal achievement system with their people.
  • Learn how to strike a balance between goal directedness and sensitivity to people.
  • Understand the different Behavior Styles of people in order to increase coaching effectiveness.
  • Increase their ability to diagnose areas of needed improvement, ask effective questions to help guide discussions, and coach specific actions for improving performance.
  • Build the self-confidence of their team to achieve more than they believe they are capable of achieving. 
Meeting with Junior Chamber International, a nonprofit organization of young active citizens age 18 to 40 who are engaged and committed to creating impact in their communities.
Go CSUN!

Union Bank invited the Economic Alliance and investors including Parker Brown, Inc., Squar Milner, and A Cool Nerd to their suite for a Cal State University, Northridge basketball game on March 3rd. 
Workplace Safety & Workplace Violence Seminar
Thursday, April 6, 2017

The San Fernando Valley Employer Advisory Council invites you to an informative seminar that will cover services and resources available to promote safety in the workplace, and prevent workplace violence on April 6th, from 8:00am-11:30am, at New Horizons. 

Cal/OSHA Consultation Service Area Manager Dan Leiner will present on Workplace Safety; Business and Employment Attorney Richard Grey from Law Offices of Richard Grey will present on Workplace violence from the HR and policy perspective; and Los Angeles Police Department Sergeant Kyle Campbell will present on what to do in the case of an active shooter. 

The following topics will be covered in this seminar:
  • Reducing the likelihood of Workplace Violence
  • Economic Consequences
  • Practical Prevention Actions
  • Workplace Restraining Orders
  • The New Workplace Violence Prevention in Health Care Regulation going into effect on April 1, 2017 and its Main Requirements
  • The Injury and Illness Prevention Program [IIPP] and Workplace Violence
  • Cal/OSHA Enforcement and Consultation Services
  • Cal/OSHA Frequently Cited Regulations
  • Active Shooter Preparedness
Visit  www.sfveac.org/events/mail-seminar-reservations to register. 
The Valley Economic Alliance | 818-379-7000 | [email protected] | www.thevalley.net
Your Success Is Our Business! TM

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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