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Newsletter
August-September 2018 Highlights
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Derek Fisher, Patrick McClenahan, Madelyn Alfano and Exceptional Minds received the "Star of the Valley" award at 21st Annual Gala
Derek Fisher, Patrick McClenahan, Madelyn Alfano and Exceptional Minds received the "Star of the Valley" award at the 21st Annual Valley of the Stars Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Friday, September 7, 2018 at the City of Calabasas Civic Center. Hosted by The Valley Economic Alliance (TVEA), the region's premier economic development organization, the event celebrated leadership in arts and entertainment, business, education and humanitarianism.
"Since its founding, the Annual Gala has fast become one of the most prestigious event of its kind in our region," said TVEA Chairman, Randy Witt. "With great pride, we honor individuals and organizations that have helped grow and strengthen our economy, improve the quality of life in our communities, and bring national recognition to the San Fernando Valley."
Derek Fisher,
five-time NBA champion who has played 18 seasons, eight of which with the Los Angeles Lakers, received the Arts and Entertainment Award. Fisher was also President of the National Basketball Players Association and head coach for the New York Knicks.
Derek is also the Founder of The Derek Fisher Basketball Academy, focused on developing the basketball, leader and life skills of each camper.
Madelyn Alfano, o
ne of California's most successful restaurant owners received the Business Award. She founded Maria's Italian Kitchen in Sherman Oaks in 1985, and now has 10 locations, 400 employees, provides healthy and quality food, hospitable and friendly service.
Exceptional Minds, a
Sherman Oaks based non-profit vocational center, production studio and only school of its kind to successfully prepare and place young adults on the autism spectrum in visual effects and animation careers, received the Education Award. Yudi Bennett, Co-Founder and Director of Operations of Exceptional Minds accepted the award.
Patrick McClenahan,
President and CEO of Goodwill Southern California's 82 stores and 46 collection centers and the 2015 Special Olympics World Games; the largest sports and humanitarian event in the world, received the Humanitarian Award.
Randy Kerdoon was this year's Master of Ceremonies, a multi-award winning sportscaster at KNX 1070 Newsradio and host and producer of the "Talking about Cars" podcast.
Guests enjoyed an outdoor reception, presentation of awards, live music by OSTIA, dinner by Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, dessert by Maria's Italian Kitchen and special Saddlerock wine selection.
Special guests included Congressmember Brad Sherman, Senator Bob Hertzberg, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, Calabasas Mayor Fred Gaines, Calabasas Mayor pro Tem David Shapiro, Los Angeles Councilmember Paul Krekorian, Calabasas Councilmember James Bozajian, Calabasas Councilmember Mary Sue Maurer, Calabasas Councilmember Alicia Weintraub, Calabasas City Manager Dr. Gary J. Lysik, Glendale Assistant City Manager Roubik Golanian and TV & Radio host Wink Martindale.
Gold event sponsors were City of Calabasas and Wells Fargo. Silver sponsors were Bill Allen, California State University Northridge, City of Burbank, City of Glendale, Richard Katz, Southland Regional Association of Realtors, Malibu Family Wines, Parker Brown Inc., Express Employment Professionals, and Union Bank. Bronze sponsors included Bank of America, Concorde Career College, Goodwill Southern California, Phillips Family, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, NBC Universal, Westfield Group and SoCal Gas.
Visit
www.youtube/VOTS2018 to view honoree highlight videos that were presented at the 2018 Gala.
Photo 1: From left: Yudi
Bennett, Co-Founder and Director of Operations of Exceptional Minds; Derek Fisher, Basketball player and coach; Madelyn Alfano, Founder and Owner of Maria's Italian Kitchen; and Patrick McClenahan, President and CEO of Goodwill Southern California receive "Star of the Valley" award at the Valley of the Stars Gala and Awards Ceremony hosted by The Valley Economic Alliance on September 7th at the City of Calabasas Civic Center.
Photo 2: Derek Fisher accepts "Star of the Valley" Award for arts and entertainment.
Photo 3. Fred Gaines, Mayor of City of Calabasas arrives to Gala.
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Elections and State of the City Presentations at Annual TVEA Board of Governors Meeting
The Valley Economic Alliance (TVEA) held its
Annual Board of Governors and Stakeholders meeting on
August 30th at Cal State University Northridge's (CSUN) Northridge Center. Rob Gunsalus, Vice President of CSUN opened the meeting and welcomed guests.
David Honda, TVEA nominating committee Chair initiated the elections for 2018-2019 Board of Governors, Board of Directors and Management committee, followed by the official installation by Jackie Lacey, District Attorney, County of Los Angeles. Randy Witt will continue as Chairman of The Valley Economic Alliance.
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;
Antonio Lopez, Vice Mayor, City of San Fernando;
Vrej Agajanian, Councilmember, City of Glendale;
Luis Rivera, Community Business Manager, City of Los Angeles and Fred Gaines, Mayor, City of Calabasas.
Photo 1: From left: Randy Witt, Chairman, The Valley Economic Alliance; David Shapiro, Mayor pro Tem, City of Calabasas; Sharon Springer, Vice Mayor, City of Burbank; Antonio Lopez, Vice Mayor, City of San Fernando; Vrej Agajanian, Councilmember, City of Glendale; Luis Rivera, Community Business Manager, City of Los Angeles and Kenn Phillips, President and CEO, The Valley Economic Alliance
Photo 2: Installation of new TVEA Board of Governors, Board of Directors and Officers by Jackie Lacey, County of Los Angeles, District Attorney.
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The Valley Economic Alliance - Annual Report 2018
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Non-Profits Learn how to Increase Impact & Lower Costs at Second "Heart of Giving"
The Valley Economic Alliance hosted its second Heart of Giving on August 23rd at New Horizons Sam's Cafe. Over 15 non-profit organizations attended the learning breakfast to explore new ways to increase revenue, impact and reduce expenses.
Event sponsors
Jeannie DeLaura, Senior Vice President, Bolton and Company presented on cyber liability for non-profits; Guillermo Gonzalez, Jr., Associate Vice President, Bolton and Company shared HR technology solutions for organizations and Stan Stahl, President Citadel Information and SecureTheVillage shared leadership strategies to protect your non-profit from cyber crime.
Other resources included The Valley Economic Alliance's business assistance program; Cal State University's Impact Design Center presented by Paula DiMarco, Professor of Design; Increasing your Fundraising by
Michael Coleman, Executive Vice Chairman of TransAmerica Financial Advisors and Maximizing your Influence through Engaging Community Partners by Cassie Leon, Volunteer Coordinator with San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission.
The event also included a special welcome by Roschell Ashley, COO, New Horizons and concluded with a question and answer session with presenters.
The next "Heart of Giving" is scheduled for February 14, 2019. Please visit www.thevalley.net for more information.
Photo 1: From left; Kenn Phillips, President and CEO, The Valley Economic Alliance; Paula DiMarco, Ph.D, Professor of Design, Impact Design Center Cal State University, Northridge; Stan Stahl, President, Citadel Information and SecureTheVillage; Roschell Ashley, COO, New Horizons
Cassie Leon, Volunteer Coordinator, San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission;
Jeannie DeLaura, Senior Vice President, Bolton and Company;
Michael Coleman, Executive Vice Chairman, TransAmerica Financial Advisors and
Guillermo Gonzalez, Jr., Associate Vice President, Bolton and Company.
Photo 2: Jeannie DeLaura of Bolton and Company moderates question and answer session.
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Valley Hackathon IV is next week!
Friday, September 21, 2018
The Valley Economic Alliance's fourth Valley Hackathon is next week! Students and sponsors are invited to participate on
Friday, September 21st
at the Downtown Glendale Central Library's Auditorium from 9:00am-5:00pm.
The technology competition brings high school and college students together to develop concepts and solutions to a real world issue that is revealed at the event. Teams will create mobile applications and websites, and pitch their final ideas to a panel of industry experts. Judges will select first, second and third place winning teams and receive sponsored prizes. The event concludes with an internship fair exclusively for Hackathon participants. Please contact [email protected] for any questions you may have.
Valley Hackathon IV is part of Glendale Tech Week. Visit www.glendaletechweek.com to view exciting events taking place between September 15-21.
Photo from Valley Hackathon 2017.
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In the News
Street Vendors Could Now Be Protected Under New Ordinance
Caridad Vasquez parks her van and sets up a stove and a table on a sidewalk in Boyle Heights every weekend. Throughout the evening, passersby stop to order her handmade quesadillas or hard shell potato tacos, among other Mexican food.
This sight is familiar in Los Angeles. Caridad is one of thousands of street vendors who set up shop to sell food and merchandise across the city's parks, sidewalks and outside stadiums.
However, for decades, street vending has been prohibited and criminalized in the City of Los Angeles.
"They face the risk of arrest, of a citation, of a fine, in many cases we talked to vendors who had their equipment, their property, confiscated as part of this enforcement," said Doug Smith, attorney at Public Counsel Law Center, a pro bono firm based in Los Angeles.
But that will soon change. The city attorney is currently writing an ordinance for a street vending permit system after the City Council approved the
framework in April.
The framework allows two street vendors per block, but still prohibits them from selling within 500 feet of commercial areas like Hollywood Boulevard and Dodger Stadium. The ban in these areas is for "safety reasons, including pedestrian and vendor safety," according to the document.
The council struck down a provision that would have given brick-and-mortar shops veto power over where street vendors operate.
"In a lot of different communities the sidewalks are very much of a premium," said Kenn Phillips, President and CEO of
The Valley Economic Alliance, a nonprofit based in the San Fernando Valley. "You have riders that are on their bicycle sometimes, especially if the streets are in disrepair, you have the vagrancy issues and you have street vendors."
Caridad, who has been a street vendor for 15 years, is one of the founders of the Los Angeles Street Vending Campaign. The grassroots campaign started about 9 years ago to push lawmakers to legalize street vending.
"I thought it was a law that would never arrive to this city," Caridad said about street vending legalization. "To work legally is to be recognized as an entrepreneur, like any other business."
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Business Accelerator Program's First 30 Days!
The Valley Economic Alliance and C-Level Roundtable in partnership provide an environment for businesses to propel their growth. The Business Accelerator Program is for individual companies that want to build on the great business they have already developed. Here is a video recap of the first 30 days!
For more information about TVEA's Business Accelerator Program, contact Jeff Cohen, Director of Business Accelerator at 661-373-5063 or [email protected]
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"Hero Hired" Career and Resource Fair
Thursday, October 11, 2018
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The "Hero Hired" Career and Resource Fair is complimentary for all job seekers. Veterans get priority access to the event at 9:00am. Doors open to general job seekers at 10:00am.
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Out and About
Business assistance meeting with
Thor Trucks on
August 17th, a Los Angeles based electric vehicle company. TVEA has assisted Thor Trucks by connecting businesses who are interested in purchasing affordable, class A, electric and panel trucks.
Pictured are Harrison Weiner, TVEA intern and Angela Taslakian, Special Projects Coordinator with TVEA in front of Thor's first fully electric delivery truck.
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Investor relations meeting with Lisa Pitney, Vice President of Government Relations with Disney on August 20th at the Disney Studios in Burbank.
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At the
"Accessing L.A." planning meeting on
August 2nd at Pacoima City Hall.
TVEA is a proud partner of the event set for October 10th, from 8:00am-1:00pm at Cal State University Northridge's Plaza del Sol Performance Hall.
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Homelessness Panel hosted by the Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce on
August 3rd at the Sherman Oaks Galleria.
Panelists discussed updates on the homelessness crisis and how it is impacting our lives and businesses in the San Fernando Valley.
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TVEA Investor
Cal Lutheran University exhibited and sponsored the "Wings over Camarillo" air and car show/festival on
August 19th at the Camarillo Airport.
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VITA Global Networking Breakfast
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
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TVEA Boardmembers Amongst Trusted Advisors Awardees
Attorneys, business bankers, accountants, insurance professionals and wealth managers filled the Garland Hotel's banquet room August 9th as San Fernando Valley Business Journal held its
8th Annual Trusted Advisors Awards
ceremony and lunch.
Editor and Publisher Charles Crumpley welcomed 100 professionals to the North Hollywood venue.
"This event helps to recognize the importance of the relationships they have developed with their clients as they guide them through this complex business environment," Crumpley said in his opening remarks. "Everyone understands that in these industries, professionals have to help their clients comply with rules and regulations. But it is those rare individuals who do that but also combine market knowledge with superior service to help their clients thrive and achieve. And many of them go way above and make significant contributions to our community."
The winners in the accountant category were Sasha Baluka of B&G Accounting Services for the Client Service Excellence Award; Laura Azzalina Rigali of illuminate for the Trailblazer Award; and Darryl Gross of gish SEIDEN for the Innovation Leadership Award.
In the attorney category, Barry Kurtz of Lewitt Hackman took home the Client Service Excellence Award; Jonathan Fraser Light of LightGabler won the Innovation Leadership Award; and Terri Hilliard of Terri Hilliard PC was honored with the Trailblazer Award.
Accepting her Trailblazer Award for the second year in a row, Hilliard said, "I'm shocked. It's rare when I'm this speechless."
Among bankers, Client Service Excellence Award went to TVEA Boardmember Paula Bahamon of Mission Valley Bank
. Karen Brown of First Bank took home the Innovation Leadership Excellence Award. (pictured below)
Recognizing insurance professionals, the Client Service Excellence Award went to TVEA Boardmember Barry Cohn
of Really Great Employee Benefits; the Innovation Leadership Award was for Teri Frankel of Leavitt Insurance Services; and the Trailblazer Award went to Byrdie Pompan of Clear Health Advisors, who came to the health sector after two decades at Hollywood's Creative Artists Agency.
Wealth managers received their due as Shawn Shafer of UBS Financial Services won for Client Service Excellence and Sarah Reznick of Edward Jones took home the Trailblazer Award.
Reznick, who left Iran in 1979 "in my mom's belly," thanked several of her mentors, including another finalist for the awards, Don Lanson of Manfredi Levine Eccles Miller and Lanson.
The final awards recognized community service. Vrezhui Missakian of Vrezhui Missakian CPA, active on the board of Valley Community Healthcare won, as well as Jake Furlow of Wells Fargo Private Bank, who works with American Youth Soccer Association, Conejo Youth Basketball Association and 101 Rams Pop Warner Football.
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Live2Lead
Friday, October 12, 2018
The Live2Lead simulcast event is an annual leadership gathering developed by The John Maxwell Company. Join hundreds of host sites around the globe for the 5th annual Live2Lead on October 12th at Houses of Light. The event is an exciting day of growth, as John Maxwell and other high caliber speakers teach relevant and applicable leadership tools that will elevate your life and business. Learn from world-class leadership experts at this simulcast broadcast live from Duluth, Ga. You will return to your office ready to implement your new action plan and lead with renewed passion and commitment.
The event also includes the launch of TVEA Investor and Executive Director of The John Maxwell Team - Farshad Asl's new book, "Men Built for Others."
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Save the Dates
Friday, September 21, 2018
9:00am-5:00pm
Downtown Glendale Central Library
Thursday, October 11, 2018
9:00am-2:00pm
Los Angeles Valley College
Heart of Giving
February 14, 2018
Time & Location TBA
*For non-profit organizations only.
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