Valley Industry & Commerce Association |
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- Quote of the Week
- Extraordinary Women in Leadership Event Recap
- VICA Action Alert: Ventura-Cahuenga Plan
- VICA Supports LA Property Owners throughout the Pandemic
- VICA Hall of Fame: Call for Nominations
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- Job Opening: Membership & Development Manager
- Members
- Events
- News
- Committee Recap
- Member Spotlight
- Member Messages
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“I'm sure of one thing: Valley girls and VICA rock!" |
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Cynthia McClain-Hill
President, Board of Water and Power Commissioners, LADWP
Statement during her keynote address at Extraordinary Women in Leadership
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Extraordinary Women in Leadership Event Recap |
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Keynote speaker LADWP Commission President Cynthia McClain-Hill |
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Business leaders joined VICA’s 3rd Annual Extraordinary Women in Leadership Breakfast last Friday. The event consisted of breakfast and networking, opening remarks from our keynote speaker, and two dynamic panels.
The event kicked off with a keynote address from LADWP Commission President Cynthia McClain-Hill. Cynthia brought energy to the morning by focusing on women in leadership at LADWP and bringing awareness to women in the workforce and their accomplishments.
Attendees heard from our Big Wins, Big Mistakes & Things I Wish I Knew Along the Way panel. Lisa Gritzner (LG Strategies) moderated the panel comprised of Kerri Balbone (Health Net), Terry Feit (Deloitte), Sarah Schuler (LA Rams), and Gillian Wright (SoCalGas). The questions presented to the panelists were riveting, and their answers were inspiring.
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Big Wins, Big Mistakes & Things I Wish I Knew Along the Way Panel (from left to right): Gillian Wright (SoCalGas), Terry Feit (Deloitte), Kerri Balbone (Health Net), Sarah Schuler (LA Rams) and
Moderator Lisa Gritzner (LG Strategies).
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The event transitioned to the second panel, What it Takes to Be a Woman Candidate. Kellie Hawkins (EKA) moderated the panel, and panelists included Wendy Greuel (CSUN), Sara Hernandez (Candidate for LACCD Board of Trustees), Lindsey Horvath (Candidate for LA County Supervisor), and Patrice Marshall (Deputy Chief of Staff for LAUSD Board Member, Dr. George McKenna).
Extraordinary Women in Leadership Breakfast attendees left motivated and ready to change the world! Thank you to all of our sponsors, especially our Partner, California State University, Northridge Nazarian College and our Presenting Sponsor, Wells Fargo. This event was truly extraordinary, and we look forward to hosting it again next year!
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What it Takes to Be a Woman Candidate Panel (from left to right): Lindsay Horvath (Candidate for LA County Supervisor), Wendy Greuel (CSUN), Sara Hernandez (Candidate for LACCD Board of Trustees), Patrice Marshall (Deputy Chief of Staff for LAUSD Board Member, Dr. George McKenna) and
Moderator Kellie Hawkins (EKA).
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Making the Valley's Voice Heard in the Ventura-Cahuenga Plan |
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Los Angeles City Planning is amending the Ventura-Cahuenga Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan that dictates how development fees are spent on public improvements to the right-of-way. This plan will impact public space and access to the Corridor for businesses, residents, and visitors alike decades into the future.
The Ventura-Cahuenga Boulevard Corridor is 17 miles long, and each community has its own unique needs and local priorities. The Planning Department has divided the Corridor into 13 different segment surveys, which will help identify issues and priorities for each community. The survey results were missing the business voice, and the City Planning Department called on VICA members to make sure the Valley business community's voice is heard. Thank you for sharing your voice and representing your community!
You can learn more about the scope by previewing materials here. If you have any additional comments to share, you can visit the Contact Page to submit a comment.
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VICA Supports Property Owners Through the Pandemic |
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VICA showed its strong support for local property owners by writing a letter of support to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
VICA urged the County to support property owners through the COVID-19 pandemic through the cancellation of penalties, interests, costs, and fees for housing provider late payments, as well as through the expansion of County Mortgage Relief.
For almost two years, regional, state, and federal eviction moratoriums and rent freezes have rocked the housing market, lacking clear timelines and criteria for the phase-out of these temporary measures. Our region is one of the last jurisdictions in the country to leave emergency housing measures in place.
Infection rates are down, vaccinations are up, people have returned to work, and both the state and the federal government have provided massive amounts of direct monetary assistance to help tenants most in need, but landlords are still struggling to recover after eviction moratoriums and rent freezes left them without the ability to pay mortgages. This has put Los Angeles housing providers in difficult financial situations, and thus, our region’s housing capacity at risk of collapse.
VICA urged the County to provide relief to property owners amid moratoriums that threaten housing availability in our region.
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VICA Business Hall of Fame:
Call for Nominations
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VICA wants to honor your business!
Each year, VICA celebrates member businesses that have made a profound and impactful presence in the Valley and celebrate their successes. The Hall of Fame was created in 2008 to recognize significant contributions to the Valley community.
Inductees include individuals, businesses and other community organizations that have been responsible for the continued success, economic vitality and culture of the San Fernando Valley.
To nominate your business for VICA Hall of Fame or to secure a sponsorship package, please contact Jessica Yasukochi by clicking here or call 818-817-0545.
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Click the image to learn more and apply today! |
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VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members |
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State Officeholders Dinner
Friday, April 22
Stage 29 at Universal Studios Hollywood
VICA’s State Officeholders Dinner provides a rare opportunity for Valley business leaders to connect with state lawmakers and participate in an informal event, allowing for fun, candid, and interactive conversation.
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March - Sacramento Advocacy Day
Tuesday, March 22
All Day
Sacramento, CA
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VICA Newsmaker Connection
with Joe Buscaino
Thursday, March 24
8:30 - 9:30 AM
VICA Office
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April - Sacramento Advocacy Day
Tuesday, April 5
All Day
Sacramento, CA
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VICA After Dark with Darren Kettle
Wednesday, April 6
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport
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Not-For-Profit Committee
Thursday, April 7
8:30 - 10:00 AM
VICA Office
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Land Use Committee
Tuesday, April 12
8:30 - 10:30 AM
The Garland
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LA City Council
A judge on Thursday, March 17, rejected an effort by a civil rights group to halt former Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson from temporarily filling the 10th district seat. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Southern California and several individuals sued the city in February, saying that it improperly appointed Wesson to temporarily replace Mark Ridley-Thomas in representing the 10th district.
Federal Funding
Juvenile Offenders
Port of Los Angeles
The U.S. Coast Guard announced on Monday, March 14, that it will search all containers for a shipping company at the Port of Los Angeles after a fire earlier this month that led officials to determine contents did not match the bill of lading. Instead of synthetic resins, the container at the WBCT Terminal, in San Pedro, was found to contain lithium-ion batteries, a regulated hazardous material.
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June Primary
Three LA City Council races will potentially be determined in the June Primary election. Council District 1, currently held by Councilmember Gil Cedillo is being challenged by Eunisses Hernandez. Council District 3, currently held by Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, is being challenged by Scott Silverstein. Council District 9, currently held by Councilmember Curren Price, is being challenged by Dulce Vasquez.
Education
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Monday that will rescue UC Berkeley from a court-ordered enrollment freeze and steep admission cuts and allow the university to resume plans to enroll more than 5,000 California first-year students. The new law in effect ends a frantic few weeks at one of the nation’s most sought-after campuses.
Water
Bridge to Home
It was standing room only, in a dirt lot in the back of an industrial complex, as ground was broken for the Bridge to Home shelter, the first permanent facility for the homeless in the city of Santa Clarita. Bridge to Home is a non-profit homeless services provider that operates in Santa Clarita, funded through government contracts, grants, and donations from individuals and businesses.
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Government Affairs Committee (03/16)
- Treylnd Bradley, Senior Business Development Specialist (GO-Biz), gave a presentation from the office of Governor Gavin Newsom.
- Policy manager Sulaiman Kenyatta (LAEDC) delivered a presentation on the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation's priorities for 2022.
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The Committee recommended an oppose position on ACA 11: Taxes to Fund Health Care Coverage and Cost Control.
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The Committee decided to send the 2022 LA City Ballot Measure: A Safer and Cleaner LA by Councilmember Joe Buscaino to the board of directors without recommendation.
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The Committee's vote was split even on their position for AB 1993 (Wicks), which will mandate businesses to have all employees and/or independent contractors vaccinated, which will now go to the board without recommendation as well.
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John Genga
Genga & Associates
Owner
John Genga has a law firm that he founded in the Valley in 2004 after spending nearly 20 years as an associate and partner at large regional and international firms. John works on business litigation with an emphasis on intellectual property, entertainment, Internet and technology. Fun fact: He has a 170-lb dog named Goliath. He is an Armenian Gampr. Look them up; they’ve been around thousands of years.
When asked some additional questions, the below was shared:
What has been your largest accomplishment or efforts made over the past year?
I would say my firm’s biggest accomplishment in the last year is turning itself around from a terrible 2020 when litigation came to a halt with courts closing everywhere.
How has VICA been able to support your business strategy?
We have increased our visibility and business, and the exposure we have received in VICA has certainly helped. I have met business and government leaders and become more involved in local activities and that has helped me understand local needs and serve them better. Looking forward to increasing those activities in 2022!
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Are you interested in a Membership Spotlight?
Answer the below questions, send responses and a professional photo,
and we'll ensure your in the line up for 2022!
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MUST BE A CURRENT VICA MEMBER TO BE FEATURED!
Please keep each question response to 2-4 sentences maximum.
- Please share a bit about your background and a fun fact that people would love to learn, ie: scrapbooking is your favorite hobby, you were in a band, you have traveled around the world…
- What has been your organization’s largest accomplishment or efforts made over the past year?
- Please share how VICA has supported your business strategy or expanded your footprint with the business community?
Send responses and headshot to Peter Warda
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Member Messages
Get Your Message in VICA Weekly!
VICA members can promote their business, events and news in VICA Weekly. Member messages are available for $50 per week or $175 for four weeks. Messages are text-based and may not contain more than 70 words. A logo may be added for an additional $5 per week. For more information or to schedule your member message, contact cathy@vica.com or call (818) 817-0545.
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ABOUT VICA
Presenting the business perspective on behalf of employers in the
San Fernando Valley cities of Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Calabasas,
Hidden Hills, San Fernando and Santa Clarita.
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