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Newsletter
July & August 2019 Highlights
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Morphe LLC, Mel Wilson, Age of Learning, Bruce Boxleitner and Cybill Shepherd honored with the "Star of the Valley" award at 22nd Annual Gala
Morphe LLC, Mel Wilson, Age of Learning, Bruce Boxleitner and Cybill Shepherd were honored with the "Star of the Valley" award at the 22nd Annual Valley of the Stars Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Friday, August 23, 2019 at the Alex Theater. Hosted by The Valley Economic Alliance (TVEA), the region's premier economic development organization. The event commemorated leadership in business, arts and entertainment, education, and humanitarianism.
"The Alliance is proud to recognize extraordinary leaders whose life's purpose is making others aware of the urgency to help the most vulnerable," said TVEA President and CEO, Kenn Phillips. "These individuals dedicate themselves to answering life's most persistent and urgent question, what are you doing for others?"
Morphe LLC, a makeup brand that began as a trade show business received the Business Award. Morphe LLC focuses on creating gender neutral makeup products ranging from high quality makeup brushes to eye shadow, lip color, and more. Adriane Peyton, Senior Supervisor, and Fred Velarde, Senior Director of Operations accepted the award.
Age of Learning, an education technology that creates engaging and effective online learning resources to help children build a strong foundation for academic success received the Education Award. Doug Dohring, Founder and CEO of Age of Learning accepted the award.
Cybill Shepherd, an award winning American Actress, Musician, Author, Producer and Community Activist for abortion and gay rights accepted the Arts and Entertainment award. Her most notable role was in her 1985 television show, Moonlighting, with Bruce Willis which won her two Golden Globe Awards.
Bruce Boxleitner, a science-fiction writer and American actor who has starred in major motion pictures, various television shows received the Arts and Entertainment Award. He is currently the President of the United States for the popular TV show, Supergirl.
Mel Wilson, a community activist who has dedicated his life's work to helping Middle-Income Workers and Millennials understand how to achieve financial independence received the Humanitarian Award. In his leisure time, he actively participates in an array of organizations and community projects that serve the San Fernando Valley.
Palmira Perez-Najarian was this year's Master of Ceremonies, an award winning news anchor for KWHY Channel 22, America's foremost Latina newscaster, TV personality and community leader.
Guests enjoyed an outdoor reception, presentation of awards, live music by the California Lutheran Jazz Ensemble, delicious hors d'oeuvres prepared by Vegan Chef Eddie Garza and Chef Sergio from A Perfect Event by Carmen and concluded with desserts provided by Porto's Bakery.
Special guests included: Burbank Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy, Burbank Vice Mayor Sharon Springer, Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian, State Assemblymember Luiz Rivas, Glendale Interim City Manager Justin Hess, Councilmember Vartan Gharpetian, Councilmember Paula Devine, Glendale City Manager Yasmin Beers, Glendale Assistant City Manager Roubik Golanian and Councilmember Paul Krekorian.
Platinum Sponsor was Mel Wilson. Gold Event sponsors were Age of Learning, Encino Hospital Medical Center, and Sherman Oaks Hospital. Silver sponsors were the Alex Theatre, City of Burbank, City of Glendale, El Proyecto del Barrio, SRAR, The Tseng College at California State University, Northridge.
Bronze Sponsors were City National Bank, Express Employment Professionals, Westfield, Goodwill Southern California, Richard Katz, LADWP, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, Metro, Union Bank, Metrolink, Kenn Phillips, NBCUniversal, SoCalGas, and Southland Regional Association of Reltors, Inc. Dessert Sponsor was Bill Allen.
Photo 1: Palmira Perez-Najarian enjoying the outdoor reception.
Photo 2: Cybill Shepherd accepts "Star of the Valley" Award for Arts and Entertainment.
Photo 3: From left: Fred Velarde, Senior Director of Operations at Morphe LLC; Doug Dohring, Founder and CEO of Age of Learning; Palmira Perez-Najarian; Bruce Boxleitner; Mel Wilson, Owner and Broker at Mel Wilson & Associates; Randy Witt, Owner of Randy Witt Productions; and Kenn Phillips, President and CEO of TVEA.
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Elections and State of the City Presentations at Annual TVEA Board of Governors Meeting on August 29, 2019
The Valley Economic Alliance (TVEA) held its
Annual Board of Governors and Stakeholders meeting on Thursday,
August 29, 2019 at DiscoveryCube Los Angeles.
Randy Witt, TVEA Chair initiated the elections for 2019-2020 Board of Governors, Board of Directors and Management Committee. The Board of Governors elected three new members; Cynthia Cifuentes, Nairy Sajonian and Claudia Dunn-Martinez, all who will be valuable assets to TVEA Board of Governors.
Thomas Soule resigned as the Treasurer after serving TVEA for 22 years. Thomas R. Ohlgren, Senior Manager for Tax and Accounting Services at Squar Milner LLP, was elected as the new Treasurer and Pegi Matsuda, Pegi Matsuda Consulting LLC, was elected as Vice Chair.
The Annual meeting concluded with The Alliance's annual report and State of the City reports by TVEA's 5 city partners with presentations by
Sharon Springer, Vice Mayor, City of Burbank; Fred Gaines, Mayor, City of Calabasas; Ara Najarian, Mayor, City of Glendale; Sonya Blake, Director of Community Business, City of Los Angeles; and Joel Fajardo, Mayor, City of San Fernando.
Photo 1: From left: Jane Skeeter, Founder and CEO of UltraGlas, Inc and Paula Bahamon, Vice President Business Banker for Mission Valley Bank.
Photo 2: Sharon Springer, Vice Mayor, City of Burbank discussing the State of the City report.
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The Valley Economic Alliance attends Grand Opening of Sherman Oaks Hospital Farmers Market
Tuesday, July 9th, 2019
The Sherman Oaks Hospital hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Tuesday, July 9th at the Sherman Oaks Hospital.
The Sherman Oaks Hospital Farmer's Market was started by Director of Business Development, Hilda Avanessian. She stated "The purpose of opening a farmers market is to help realize the number of health goals that are related to our patients, our stand, and to our community." She continued by saying, "It will allow for staff, patients, and our community to eat nutritious fresh foods and to develop healthy eating habits."
The Farmer's Market will now be open every Tuesday from 10am to 2pm and it will provide a variety of products including fresh produce and an assortment of arts and crafts created by local vendors from the Los Angeles area. Some of the most well-known vendors that will be participating in the Farmers Market include Underwood Family Farm, Agate Honey, and Brother Hummus.
Hilda Avanessian discussed how she wants to strengthen the community. "My goal for both Farmer's Market is to help strengthen our local family farmers. It is to strengthen both hospital's mission as a community institution and the community's ability to sustain its own population healthfully."
When asked how the Sherman Oaks Farmer's Market would benefit the community she stated "By developing healthy eating habits, positive publicity to our hospitals, better employee health, and nutritional education. Alongside local farming merchants, there will be vendors that present awareness on stroke, cancer, wounds, Alzheimer's or any other important health topics.
In addition,The Encino Hospital Medical Center hosted their Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Healing Garden on Thursday, August 08, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Both ceremonies have been organized by Hilda Avanessian, the Director of Business Development and Marketing for Encino Hospital Medical Center and Sherman Oaks Hospital.
If you are interested in becoming a vendor in the future, contact Hilda Avanessian at 818-813-3954 or avanessian@primehealthcare.com
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The Valley Economic Alliance attends L.A.'s Largest Mixer
The Valley Economic Alliance (TVEA) attended the 2019 L.A.'s Largest Mixer, on Thursday, July 18, 2019 from 4pm-8pm at the Pasadena Convention Center.
Annually, the mixer attracts more than 2000 attendees and 150 exhibiting companies and was created to make new business connections, generate leads, and renew existing relationships that grow businesses.
At the event, TVEA had an exhibition booth to connect with businesses and attendees. Jacqui Matsumoto worked with TVEA Volunteer, Lance Aylor of Transamerica Financial Advisers.
The pair met with attendees to provide information about TVEA and how the organization can provide assistance to them. Those who visited TVEA's booth were given free water bottles for visiting and learning about the organization.
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Photographed by: Scott Bogunia
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Some of the past participating businesses include OneWest Bank, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Dave & Buster's, Subway, T-Mobile, and City of Hope to name a few.
This year exhibiting businesses included Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Stonefire Grill, California State University - Los Angeles, ADT, Los Angeles Daily News, and more.
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Board of Directors Members Named Among the 200 Most Influential Leaders in the Valley
The San Fernando Valley Business Journal recognized 200 outstanding individuals who were named most influential leaders in the Valley. Among the 200 picked, 41 of those are members of The Valley Economic Alliance's Board of Governors.
The Editor and Publisher for the San Fernando Valley Business Journal, Charles Crumpley stated "The Valley 200 is an important way to recognize the ones who stand up for the rest of us. After all, these are the folks doing the heavy work to make our Valley area a better place to live, work, have fun, and learn."
These individuals have different backgrounds, work in different industries, and impact the community in a variety of ways. Some of the honorees are Educators, Business Owners, President of their organization, and more. Every individual impacts the community in a different way.
TVEA's Board of Directors from Right:
David J. Shapiro with City of Calabasas, Charles Crumpley, Editor and Publisher for San Fernando Valley Business Journal, and Danone Simpson, President and CEO of Montage Insurance Solutions.
The Board members included in the article were, Barry Cohn, David Fleming, Fred Gaines, Lisa Gritzner, Richard Katz, Stephen Landsman, Pegi Matsuda, Robert Rodine, Robert Scott, Martha Diaz-Aszkenazy, Bert Boeckmann, Karl Boeckmann, Steve Nissen, John M. Parker, Jane Skeeter, Randy Witt, Dianne Harrison, Chris Kimball, Sumantra Sengupta, David Steele-Figueredo, Paula Bahamon, Victor Berrellez, James Garrison, Tamara Gurney, David Poms, Joel Fajardo, Emily Gabel-Luddy, Ara Najarian, David Shapiro, Natasha Madarian, Gustavo Valdespino, Bill Allen, David Goodreau, David Honda, Gail Lara, Rebecca Lienhard, Kenn Phillips, Stuart Waldman, Rickey Gelb, Gloria Pollack, and Nancy Starczyk.
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In the News
Goodwill Southern California Opens Their Newest Store in Magnolia Park
By Ashley Erikson, My Burbank
Goodwill Southern California had a Grand Opening for their newest retail location in Burbank on the morning of Friday, June 28, 2019. Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy and Vice Mayor Sharon Springer were in attendance for the ribbon-cutting to welcome the store to Burbank as well as representatives from the Los Angeles County Supervisor's office, Senator Anthony Portantino's office, and Assembly member Laura Friedman's office.
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Photographed by: Ross A. Benson
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The first 100 shoppers in line received a $10 merchandise voucher and customers were invited to shop a wide selection of great values including 100 free items hidden throughout the store. "We are delighted to open our first store in the City of Burbank," said Ray Tellez, Goodwill Southern California Vice President of Retail Operations. "We look forward to providing for families to shop and find great deals!"
Goodwill SoCal is located in the heart of Magnolia Park, taking over the 9200 square foot space that used to be occupied by the American Way Thrift store. With its fresh bold paint and colorful window signage, Goodwill has turned the building into a vibrant addition to the ever-growing merchant's district of Magnolia Park and has already shown their commitment to the neighborhood by joining the Magnolia Park Merchants Association.
The Grand Opening aligned with Magnolia Park's monthly Ladies and Gents Night Out event where over 30 food trucks line the boulevard and stores stay open for late-night shopping.
Goodwill SoCal expressed that they will participating in the event that takes place on the last Friday of the month from January to October, and welcomed hundreds of guests into their store on June 28th.
Goodwill SoCal has more than 80 stores in its territory covering Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. Ninety-five cents of every dollar generated from sales is dedicated to funding GSC's mission to prepare and place individuals with disabilities and other vocational challenges in sustainable employment.
Visit Goodwill Southern California at 3226 W Magnolia Blvd. Burbank, CA 91505.
Read more.
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Accessing L.A.
Friday, September 27, 2019.
The Valley Economic Alliance (TVEA) is partnering with Accessing L.A. to host RiseWith: City of Los Angeles on Friday September 27, 2019 at California State University, Northridge from 9:00am to 2:00pm.
The City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works and Mayor Eric Garcetti's Office of Economic Development will provide small business owners a chance to link up with existing public and private resources to learn how to further grow one's business.
RiseWith offers attendees the chance
to connect with other small business owners and learn from the panel discussions and an assortment of workshops.
Admission is free for all attendees.
For more information or to register for this event visit:
Accessing L.A.
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Out and About
Jacqui Matsumoto from The Valley Economic Alliance (TVEA) visited Marc Bartholomew, on July 3rd, to gift him his Certificate of Appreciation for being a new Board Member. Marc joined the TVEA in March 2019.
Pictured from left are Jacqui Matsumoto from TVEA, and Board Member Marc Bartholomew of Integritechs, LLC.
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The United Chambers of Commerce (UCC) hosted a State of the County Luncheon on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at the Porter Valley County Club where UCC Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Sheila Kuehl spoke to attendees.
Pictured is The Valley Economic Alliance's Management Board Member John Parker of Parker Brown and UCC Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
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Board of Director's Meeting
The Board of Directors meeting was held Wednesday, July 24th 2019 in the BFG Conference Room at The Valley Economic Alliance.
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Save the Dates
Friday, September 27, 2019
6:00pm-9:00pm
Skirball Cultural Center
Board of Govenors Meeting
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
8:30am-9:30am
LA Valley College - Fireside Room
"Hero Hired" Career & Resource Fair
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
10:00am-2:00pm
LA Valley College - Monarch Hall
Access to Capital Business Expo
Saturday, November 9, 2019
9:30am-2:00pm
Hilton Woodland Hills
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