5a. The Valley Economic Alliance recognized the achievements of local community leaders at it's 2017 "Valley of the Stars" Gala and Awards Ceremony on June 3rd at Galpin Auto Sports in Van Nuys. From left: Gregg Sherkin, Vice President and Community Affairs Manager, Wells Fargo; Randy Witt, Owner, Randy Witt Productions; Richard Katz, Chairman, The Valley Economic Alliance; Arts and Entertainment honoree Bob Miller, former Los Angeles Kings broadcaster; Business honoree Jane Boeckmann, President, World of Communications Inc.; Leadership honoree Marianne Haver Hill, Executive Director, countywide strategic plan for economic development at Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation; Bill Allen, CEO, LAEDC; and President and CEO of The Valley Economic Alliance, Kenn Phillips. 

5b. Bert Boeckmann, Owner of Galpin Motors at The Valley Economic Alliance's  "Valley of the Stars" Gala and Awards Ceremony on June 3rd at Galpin Auto Sports in Van Nuys.

5c. Fan takes advantage of photo opportunity with Bob Miller, right, former L.A. Kings broadcaster at  The Valley Economic Alliance's  "Valley of the Stars" Gala and Awards Ceremony.

5d. Jane Boeckmann, President of World of Communications Inc., accepts honor at  The Valley Economic Alliance's  "Valley of the Stars" Gala and Awards Ceremony.

Source: San Fernando Valley Business Journal, Valley Biz Seen, June 12, 2017. 

Photos by Chasing Pleasures Fine Art Photography. 

Many Southern California workers received a pay raise, as the legal minimum wage increased in Los Angeles and some other local cities.

The current minimum wage of $10.50 will increase to $12 an hour in Los Angeles, Pasadena, Malibu, Santa Monica and in unincorporated LA County communities.

The change is part of an eventual hike to reach $15 an hour by 2020.

The change applies to businesses with 26 or more employees.

For those with 25 or fewer employees, the minimum wage goes from $10 to $10.50.

Kenn Phillips with The Valley Economic Alliance says an increase may sound good to workers, but it could negatively impact some of them.
He says a study that tracked Seattle's minimum wage increase shows businesses compensated to make up for the increased costs.

"What they did was they contracted and part of the contraction was giving employees 9 percent less hours of work to make up the difference in the added expense," Phillips said.

Robert MacMurray, owner of  Robbie Mac Pizza,  said he may have to make some adjustments to his business after costs go up, but he thinks the increase is deserved.

"I think it's fair," he said. "It's very expensive - housing and food and everything goes up every year, so it needs to happen."

Source. KABC 7, Los Angeles. 

The Valley Economic Alliance has once again partnered with LA Promise Fund to provide 4 high school students an educational experience in a real-world setting through a summer internship. 

LA Promise Fund is dedicated to preparing Los Angeles students for success in college, career and life. 

From left: Joshua Shongwe is a Senior at Granada Hills Charter High School

Leeah Voskerchian is a Senior at Burbank High School

Alexandria Garcia is a Senior at Valley Academy of Arts and Sciences

Sean Smith is a Senior at John F. Kennedy High School 

This year's interns will be assisting The Valley Economic Alliance with website design, graphic design and the planning and facilitation of the upcoming Valley Hackathon III set for October 13th. 

TVEA investor New Horizons was named a 2017 California Non Profit of the Year as part of California Nonprofits Day on June 28th. 

In recognition of New Horizons' longstanding support of those it serves within the community, Interim CEO Roschell Ashley and Emeritus Council member Susan Stearns were invited to Sacramento to receive the award on behalf of the organization at a special luncheon and ceremony held at the Capitol.

There are a total of 72,000 nonprofits in California.  New Horizons joined an elite number of nonprofits honored from assembly and senate districts across the State at the 2nd Annual California Nonprofits Day Event. 

In nominating New Horizons, District 46 Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian celebrated the important contributions the agency has made through its work in the community.  New Horizons continues to provide the best in job training and placement services, educational programs, and residential homes in support of more than 1,600 individuals with special needs each year.  New Horizons is responsible for the largest number of individual employment placements of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities than any other service provider in Los Angeles County.

Pictured from left; Emeritus Councilmember Susan Stearns, Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian and New Horizon's Interim CEO Roschell Ashley. 

Out and About

Project GRAD Los Angeles Graduation on June 1st at the Valley Performing Arts Center at CSUN. 

Graduating students from Arleta High School, San Fernando High School, Cesar Chavez Learning Academies and Sylmar High School completed Project GRAD's college readiness curriculum. 

TVEA Board member and Founder and CEO of UltraGlas Jane Skeeter, was inducted into VICA's 2017 Hall of Fame on June 8th at the Sheraton Universal Hotel. 

UltraGlas, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of all facets of designed architectural and high performance glass and glass tile. Today, UltraGlas is the glass of choice among the world's distinguished architects and designers.