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Newsletter
May - June 2018 Highlights
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Energy, Human Resources and Homelessness Solutions at TechX
The Valley Economic Alliance hosted its third TechX on Thursday, June 7th at Los Angeles Pierce College's Great Hall to share technology advances, innovative products, business solutions and best practices.
The conference included a variety of technology focused TEDx talk style presentations and demonstrations. TechX presenters included Ken Chawkins, Business and Policy Manager with Southern California Gas Company, who presented "A Different Way of Looking at Energy Options" and how to make California the cleanest state in the nation.
Scott Prewitt, a Geographic Information Systems student from Los Angeles Pierce College demonstrated how the growing field of Geographic Information Systems can take some of the guesswork out of the legislative process and help inform smarter decision-making in government with a focus on homelessness crisis in Los Angeles.
Peter Said, Founder and CEO of Tryden Energy presented "Solving America's Greatest Challenges" and explained how a new Solar Thermal Water heater can produce both electricity and hot water.
Dianne Gubin, President of Amplify Professional Services discussed how the rapid changes in technology impacts talent acquisition today.
Diana Sanchez, Public and Community Relations Director with Van Nuys Airport served as Mistress of Ceremonies. Sheri Berger, Acting President of Los Angeles Pierce College delivered remarks on behalf of the College.
The event concluded with a question and answer session moderated by Marisa Rose, Vice President of Business Development with Capital One Commercial Payment.
Event sponsors included Van Nuys Airport, Tryden Energy, Southern California Gas Company, Capital One, Union Bank, Los Angeles Pierce College and Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board.
Photo 1: From left: Angela Amirkhanian, TechX coordinator from The Valley Economic Alliance; Diana Sanchez, Ken Chawkins, Kenn Phillips, President and CEO of The Valley Economic Alliance; Marisa Rose, Peter Said, Dianne Gubin and Scott Prewitt.
Photo 2: Dianne Gubin presenting technology and hiring talent.
Photo 3: Panel question and answer session.
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In the News
TechX Addresses Energy, Infrastructure
By Mark Madler, San Fernando Valley Business Journal
More than 70 people turned out Thursday, June 7th for TechX, a talk-centric event about new technologies and products sponsored by
The Valley Economic Alliance.
Taking place in the Great Hall on the campus of Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills, the event featured speakers on alternative energy policies, homelessness and employee hiring.
Alliance Chief Executive Kenn Phillips said what he hoped the attendees got from the event was the chance to meet with like-minded people on how to improve the technology infrastructure.
"What we saw today was good examples of responsible green technology that when used wisely and locally can reduce our carbon footprint," Phillips said.
Speakers included Peter Said, chief executive of Tryden Energy, on a new solar thermal water heater that produces both hot water and electricity; Pierce student Scott Prewitt on how computer applications can help identify populations at risk for homelessness; Dianne Gubin, president of Amplify Professional Services, on how technology plays into how companies attract and retain the best talent; and Ken Chawkins, business and policy manager with Southern California Gas Co., on the benefits of natural gas to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
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Valley Schools, Educators & Students recognized by The Alliance
San Fernando Valley schools, educators and students, who have recently received
national education recognition, were recognized and awarded during
The Valley Economic Alliance's Board of Governors meeting on
Wednesday, May 16th at Galpin Motors' Utility Showroom.
The "Steve Allen Excellence in Education" award was named after Valley resident and legendary
entertainer Steve Allen, and salutes nationally recognized achievements in the education field. The
awards were presented by Bill Allen; Steve Allen's son and TVEA's Executive Boardmember.
Recipients of the 2018 Steve Allen "Excellence in Education" Awards were:
- El Camino Real Charter High School, National Academic Decathlon team
- Los Angeles Valley College, Strengthening Working Families Project
- Los Angeles Valley College Speech and Debate Team, Phi Pho Pi National Speech Competition team
The "Business and Education Partnership" Award is presented to an outstanding business in the
community that has partnered with a San Fernando Valley School. This year's award was presented to two educational institutions; California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and John R. Wooden High School for their partnership on the MOSAIC Mentorship Program. The program matches college students with youth at risk for educational failure, gang and family violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and emotional trauma.
The "Innovation in Education" Award recognizes outstanding educational leaders for their innovative use of the arts in the classroom and community. This year's recipient was Iain Gabriel Lampert, speech and debate program coach and facilitator at iLEAD North Hollywood Charter School.
Visit TVEA's Facebook page to view more photos from the Education Awards.
Photo 1: Los Angeles Valley College's winning Speech and Debate team.
Photo 2: Los Angeles Valley College's Strengthening Working Families Project staff. From left: Dr. Doug Marriott, Dean of Adult/Community Education & Workforce Development; LAVC President Dr. Erika Endrijonas; Marni Roosevelt, Director of Family Resource Center; and Amber Angel.
Photo 3: CSUN's MOSAIC Mentorship Program's mentors and staff. Pictured far left: Alex Ojeda, Executive Director of MOSAIC.
Photo 4: From left: Iain Gabriel Lampert and Bill Allen.
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In the News
Steve Allen Awards Honor Schools, Students and Educators
By Ethan Varian, Staff Reporter, San Fernando Valley Business Journal.
The Valley Economic Alliance recognized Valley schools, students and educators that have earned national honors at the organization's board of governors meeting on Wednesday, May 16th in Van Nuys.
Honorees were presented with awards for excellence in academic competitions, creating student mentorship programs and introducing innovative teaching methods in the classroom.
Recipients of the 2018 Steve Allen Excellence in Education Awards -- named for the entertainer and longtime Valley resident -- included El Camino Real Charter High School's national decathlon team, Los Angeles Valley College's Strengthening Working Families Project and the Los Angeles Valley College's speech and debate team.
"It is difficult to show the significance of what these students, educators and schools are doing in our region," said Alliance board member and Allen's son Bill Allen at the event. "Their amazing accomplishments and witnessing what they have brought to our Valley, I hope you see the remarkable vision and courage they have."
California State University - Northridge and John R. Wooden High School received the "Business and Education Partnership" Award for their partnership on the MOSAIC Mentorship Program, which matches at-risk youth with college students to improve dropout rates and college readiness.
The "Innovation in Education Award" was presented to Iain Gabriel Lampert, a speech and debate coach at iLEAD North Hollywood Charter School.
Source.
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CannaBiz Program and Webinar
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
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Senior IPOL Night
Each year, The Valley Economic Alliance partners with
High Technology Los Angeles High School's internship program and hosts senior students for a semester-long internship program, during the Fall and Spring semester. This year our interns were Jose Flores and Arman Pembedjian.
At the conclusion of the internship program, students create a presentation of their internship experience and what they learned for the annual IPOL Night, as part of their graduation requirements.
Students set up display boards in a gallery style walk through, and talked to mentors, parents, staff and community members about their experience.
Pictured are Jose and Arman presenting on May 24th.
Jose will be attending the University of Irvine and Arman will be attending Los Angeles Valley College, then transfer to UCLA or UCSB.
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In the News
Valley Economic Forecast: Sunny With Higher Growth
Forecasters have upgraded their predictions for the San Fernando Valley during 2018, Matthew Fienup, Executive Director of the Center for Economic Research and Forecasting at California Lutheran University, announced on
May 16th at a breakfast organized by the Business Journal and sponsored by
The Valley Economic Alliance and Parker Brown Inc.
"Our outlook for the San Fernando Valley is bright," said Fienup. "The San Fernando Valley continues to grow more rapidly than neighboring geographies in the year ahead."
He delivered the news as an update to a forecast he gave in December for the San Fernando Valley. Fienup said his team now estimates 3.2 percent growth for the San Fernando Valley in 2018, while the previous forecast in December was for 2.8 percent growth.
The Center for Economic Research and Forecasting is the only organization that specifically examines the Valley economy. The Thousand Oaks organization developed a data set using ZIP codes to define the local economy.
After admitting that his team had underestimated the power of the Trump administration's Federal tax reform and profit repatriation policies, both of which have strengthened the nation's economic activity, Fienup went into the minutiae of the San Fernando Valley's economy, which has seen its biggest statistical boosts in the information/technology and leisure/hospitality job sectors.
Fienup observed that, since 2014, the San Fernando Valley's economy has "now every single year grown more rapidly than the rest of L.A." In fact, in the 2014-15 fiscal year, the Valley's growth proved stronger than the entire state of California.
While job growth last year ranked below Los Angeles and California, the Valley nevertheless exhibited a higher GDP because the fewer jobs added onto the Valley's economy were higher-paying.
In summation, Fienup considered the Valley's fiscal landscape "a picture of strength and resilience" but he warned that a cooling trend may set in over the next couple years. If there are any hints of a downer on the horizon, it's rising housing costs.
The economist's proposed solution to offset a dip in the Valley economy is to retain and grow companies in the market's most thriving sector.
"Don't cook the golden goose," Fienup warned. "Infotech is the golden goose in San Fernando Valley."
Photo 1: Matthew Fienup, executive director of California Lutheran University's Center for Economic Research and Forecasting, delivers the San Fernando Valley Economic Forecast.
Photo 2-3: Randy Witt, Chairman of The Valley Economic Alliance, Lori Witt of Randy Witt Productions and Ryan Witt of Immix Biopharma.
Photo 2-7: Kevin Tamaki of City Councilman Bob Blumenfield's office and Kenn Phillips of The Valley Economic Alliance.
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TVEA's Jacqui Matsumoto and TVEA Boardmember Mark Levinson at the 4th Annual Inspirational Women's Luncheon on May 3rd hosted by the United Chambers of Commerce.
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At Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti's Inaugural Small Business Summit on May 2nd at Los Angeles Trade Technical College.
Resources at the summit included access to capital, small business resources and opportunities, certification assistance, capacity building workshops and more.
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TVEA partnered with ExED to host an Information Session on May 2nd on how groups of diverse and dedicated people from a wide range of backgrounds are trained and matched to charter school boards seeking new talent. Participants will serve on boards in South Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, Pico Union, Hollywood and San Fernando Valley.
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Kenn Phillips and panel of judges during
California Lutheran University's shark tank presentations on
May 7th.
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Greg Irish was named California's Workforce Investment Lifetime Achievement award on May 9th at Goodwill Southern California, during the Workforce Development Board Executive Committee Meting.
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Celebrating Vahram Janikian's birthday, intern at Valley Economic Development Corporation and The Alliance through Tierra Del Sol Foundation, on
May 14th.
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Kenn Phillips, President and CEO of The Valley Economic Alliance helped students from the Miller Career and Transition Center's, Advanced Transition Skills Program at Los Angeles Mission College with mock interviews on May 25th.
These students attend schools within the Los Angeles Unified School District and learn job skills, social skills, academics, and independent living skills through the program.
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Investor meeting with
US Bank on
May 31st.
Pictured in center are Chanaka De Silva, Assistant Vice President and TVEA Board alternate and Maame Nsiah, Assistant Branch Manager.
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In the News
Eyenuk Foresees Market Expansion With Funds
By Helen Floersh, Staff Reporter, San Fernando Valley Business Journal
Eyenuk Inc. in Woodland Hills closed a $3 million funding round on May 1, according to the company. The medical device and software firm, which makes artificial intelligence-enabled solutions for the detection of eye diseases, plans to use the funds for expanding the commercialization of its flagship product EyeArt.
"We are happy to have raised enough capital to take EyeArt to the next level," Kaushal Solanki, founder and chief executive of Eyenuk, said in a statement. "With the capital from this financing, Eyenuk will be able to accelerate execution on its global commercialization strategy, leveraging its superior artificial intelligence technology."
Eyenuk has four screening tools that use machine learning and computer vision, a form of AI that allows computers to "see" the way humans do, to automate the process of elucidating signs of eye disease. Three of them - EyeArt, EyeMark and EyeApp - are specifically designed for use in patients with diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes that damages blood vessels in the tissue at the back of the eye. EyeArt is an in-office, cloud-based software platform that uses AI to scan images for the purpose of finding lesions that warrant a referral to an ophthalmologist; EyeMark is a similar program that tracks the progression of eye disease; and EyeApp screens for signs of diabetic retinopathy through a mobile phone application. A fourth platform, EyeSeeAMD, is used to detect age-related macular degeneration, a condition in which the center of the retina deteriorates.
The company holds patents for the technology behind all of the products. EyeArt has been approved for sale in the European Union and Canada; EyeMark, EyeApp and EyeSeeAMD have not. EyeArt is approved only for investigational use in the U.S.
Valley Health Fair
Coming off the back of its HealthX event at Glendale Adventist on April 20,
The Valley Economic Alliance held its annual Health Expo and Career Fair at Los Angeles Valley College in Valley Glen on April 25.
A couple hundred attendees turned out for the event, which was sponsored by Los Angeles Jewish Home, Costco Wholesale Corp. and Daily News. Health care providers were on site to offer free blood pressure, body mass index and HIV screenings as well as to network with college students and community members who are exploring careers in the industry. More than 100 businesses, nonprofit and health care providers staged exhibits, including Dignity Health Northridge Hospital, Eisner Health, Access Dental Health and Los Angeles Family Housing.
$10 Million Placement
Second Sight Medical Products Inc. in Sylmar has entered into a stock purchase agreement with its Chairman Gregg Williams for roughly 6.7 million shares.
"This investment reflects my confidence in Second Sight's team and their ability to execute our commercial strategy and advance important development and clinical programs," Williams said in a statement.
Priced at $1.48 a share, the net proceeds of the placement will be roughly $10 million, according to Second Sight. Funds from the investment will be used to further ongoing initiatives for two of the company's products: a prosthetic cortex, called Orion, and a prosthetic retina called Argus II. Argus II is marketed in the U.S. and Europe, while clinical trials on Orion are currently underway. As a replacement for the retina, the Argus II can only restore blindness in patients who suffer from a disease called retinitis pigmentosa, while the Orion will be effective in working with a larger patient pool.
Both devices work through a video camera mounted on a pair of glasses. The Argus II turns the images that come through the glasses into electrical pulses, which are picked up and transformed into a functional form of vision by electrodes implanted on the retina. The Orion works in a similar manner, but rather than being implanted on the retina, electrodes are planted on the visual cortex of a patient's brain.
The first human implant of the Orion was completed in February. Second Sight plans to use some of the funds from the private placement to complete patient enrollment in a feasibility study for the device and to continue conducting clinical trials, according to the company. Additionally, the money will be used to grow the number of medical centers where implants of the Argus II can take place as well as to pursue regulatory approvals to expand the patient population that qualifies for treatment.
Source: San Fernando Valley Business Journal, May 14, 2018
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Save the Dates
CannaBIZ Program and Webinar
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
8:00am-11:00am
San Fernando Valley Arts and Culture Center
VITA Global Networking Breakfast - Global E-Commerce
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
9:00am-11:00am
The Valley Economic Alliance - BFG Boardroom
The Valley Economic Alliance Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, July 26, 2018
8:00am-9:30am
The Valley Economic Alliance - BFG Boardroom
*invitation only
Valley of the Stars Awards Ceremony
Friday, August 3, 2018
5:30pm-10:00pm
City of Calabasas, Civic Center
Annual Board of Governors Meeting and State of the City Reports
Thursday, August 30, 2018
5:30pm-7:30pm
Cal State University, Northridge
*invitation only
Valley Hackathon IV
Friday, September 21, 2018
9:00am-4:00pm
TBA - Glendale, CA
"Hero Hired" Career and Resource Fair
Thursday, October 11, 2018
9:00am-2:00pm
Los Angeles Valley College
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Your Success Is Our Business!
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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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