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Thursday, September 23, 2021 | View as Webpage
OCT 7 WORKFORCE CONFERENCE, CA GOV AND LEGISLATORS BURDEN WITH NEW COSTS, GRANT OPPORTUNITIES, MEET CONNOR AND MORE!
HOT OFF THE PRESS
JOIN OCBC'S 2021 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE:
  • Join OCBC virtually on Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. to hear a panel of industry experts discuss "Workforce Skills and Strategies for a Resilient OC," including the impact of childcare on employees, the post-COVID workspace, strengthening DE&I in the workplace, key skills needed for employability, and much more! Dr. Wallace Walrod, Chief Economic Advisor, OCBC will also present hiring forecasts in cybersecurity, AI, computer gaming, ophthalmology, and more! Thank you, title sponsor, Union Bank; gold sponsors, Amazon and California State University, Fullerton; Goodwill of Orange County, and LAOCRC; and silver sponsor, Wells Fargo. Registration is complimentary. Register today!

BAD NEWS: GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL; BURDENS WAREHOUSES, ADDS COSTS TO US ALL:
  • OCBC asked Gov. Newsom to veto AB 701, a bill targeting warehouse distribution centers with onerous regulations without success. The bill gives plaintiffs’ attorneys more grounds to leverage large settlements from warehouse employers and raises costs for warehouses, which will be passed down to consumers. Warehouses are key contributors to OC’s supply chain and economic competitiveness. Read OCBC’s request to the Governor here.

REGIONAL BROADBAND WORKSHOP: CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE:
  • Join OCBC and members of the Los Angeles / Orange County Regional Broadband Consortia for a virtual workshop on Oct. 8, highlighting examples of successful public-private partnerships and regional leadership that bring high quality internet service to residents, students, and businesses across SoCal. Register here.
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
MESA WATER DISTRICT LAUNCHES MESA WATER NOTIFY:
Mesa Water District (Mesa Water®) recently launched Mesa Water Notify, a new customized customer notification system that provides timely information about water service. This system allows Mesa Water to inform customers about water-related events such as planned maintenance or unforeseen situations. Quick notifications keep affected customers updated on the timing to restore service. Learn more.
CITY OF HOPE OC'S PHYSICIAN-IN-CHIEF NAMED DIVERSTY LEADER:
Dr. Kim, who serves as physician-in-chief at City of Hope Orange County and the vice physician-in-chief at City of Hope National Medical Center, was honored with the Top 25 Diversity Leaders in Healthcare recognition for his trailblazing work in reforming clinical trial practices that traditionally exclude minority populations, seriously ill and older patients. Dr. Kim points out these exclusions not only harm patients but can also dramatically flaw medical research findings.
JUSTIN SERRANO NAMED V.P., FIELD OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE COX COMMUNICATIONS' CA MARKETS :
Justin Serrano has been named vice president, field operations and maintenance for Cox Communications in CA. Serrano succeeds Ingo Hentschel who was recently named senior vice president and region manager for Cox Communications‘ CA region. Serrano was previously director, field operations overseeing residential and plant maintenance operations for San Diego. In his new role he will provide leadership for the plant maintenance and field operations teams in multiple locations.
TURNING RED TAPE INTO RED CARPET NOMINEE SPOTLIGHT
COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCY’S WE CAN COALITION:
  • County of Orange Social Services Agency’s (SSA) Working to End Child Abuse and Neglect (WE CAN) Coalition is nominated for the Public-Private Partnership Award! WE CAN is a partnership of experts in child welfare, law enforcement, medical and other fields to address children and families affected by abuse and neglect. Among other impacts, WE CAN has developed a GIS/mapping analysis of areas with at-risk populations and launched OC’s first pediatric clinic for assessment and victim care serving 50 children monthly. 

TCA’S CONSERVATION GRAZING PILOT PROGRAM:
  • Transportation Corridor Agencies’ (TCA) Conservation Grazing Pilot Program is nominated for the Sustainable and Green Development Award! TCA uses grazing livestock to improve and maintain biodiversity at the 23.2-acre Live Oak Plaza Conservation Area northeast of the 241 Toll Road. The cattle grazing program, the first of its kind in OC, will utilize grazing three times a year to support the habitat’s threatened native species and mitigate fire risk.
OCBC TEAM HIGHLIGHT
GET TO KNOW OCBC'S GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER, CONNOR MEDINA:
Connor started as an OCBC intern while attending CSU Fullerton (go Titans!) and has now been a full-time staff member for three years! His favorite OCBC memory is when Lucy Dunn, OCBC's CEO and President, spoke at Disney California Adventure, and the OCBC team spent the remainder of the night enjoying as many rides as possible with members of OCBC's Board. Given the opportunity to have dinner with anyone from past or present, Connor would invite his favorite Beatle, George Harrison. 
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
COVID-19 GRANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR CA SMALL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS:
  • Grant opportunities for up to $25,000 are available for CA small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Application deadline is Sept. 30. Visit the application portal or learn more.

LEARN HOW TO SELL ONLINE:

SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE WEBINAR:
  • Small businesses who need help navigating all the government resources and grants available, join Senator Min’s Office, CA Office of Small Business Advocate and Small Business Development Center for a helpful webinar on Sep. 23 at 11:30am. Register here.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS
EVENTS
CSUF/OCBC 27th Annual Economic Forecast Conference
October 20 | 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Join OCBC and California State University, Fullerton virtually for the 27th Annual Economic Forecast Conference: A Brave New World – Resiliency, Recovery and Reflation on October 20! You won’t want to miss critical economic insight presented by Dr. Anil Puri and Dr. Mira Farka, CSUF. Thank you title sponsor, U.S. Bank, presenting sponsor, Experian, platinum sponsor, Commercial Bank of California, gold sponsors, Infinity Bank and Wells Fargo, and corporate sponsor, Coast Community College District. Thanks to our incredible sponsors, this event is complimentary to attend. Register today!

11th Annual Turning Red Tape Into Red Carpet Awards
November 4 | 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Now in its eleventh year, OCBC’s groundbreaking awards program honors outstanding public agencies for implementing policies and programs that cut through red tape, eliminate barriers to economic growth and open the door to private sector jobs creation. Winners will be announced live! Thank you, title sponsor, Amazon and silver sponsors, Charter Communications, SDG&E and Verizon. Register today!

Chairman's Leadership Breakfast featuring Ken Potrock
November 9 | 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Join OCBC for an IN PERSON Chairman’s Leadership Breakfast featuring Ken Potrock, President, Disneyland Resort. Ken is responsible for all facets of the business, including oversight of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure theme parks, three resort hotels and the Downtown Disney District. OCBC Board Member, Steve Churm, FivePoint, will lead what is sure to be a fascinating discussion with the new Disneyland Resort President. Thank you to our incredible sponsors, Disneyland Resort, BIA-SC, CSUF College of Business and Economics and SDG&E. Purchase your ticket today!

For more information about OCBC Events contact Lauren Martin, OCBC Events Manager.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS*
October 1 | 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Join OCBC virtually to hear from Rob Moutrie, Policy Advocate with CalChamber, for an update on current and future vaccination requirements and their impact on the business community.
OCBC members, contact Connor Medina, OCBC Government Affairs Manager, to register.

October 12 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Join OCBC virtually to receive an update on the federal infrastructure bill from Ed Mortimer, Vice President of Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. Chamber.
OCBC members, contact Connor Medina, OCBC Government Affairs Manager, to register.

October 19 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Join OCBC virtually for the next installment of employer conversations around DE&I topics
OCBC members, register here.

*OCBC Committee meetings are an exclusive benefit offered to OCBC members.
NOT AN OCBC MEMBER? JOIN TODAY!
Join OCBC and connect with the most influential companies and top executives actively engaged in creating a pro-business environment and prosperous economy. Hundreds of Orange County's leading businesses, cities and non-profit organizations represent an elite group from every industry cluster. But we need YOUR VOICE! For more info, contact Natalie Rubalcava, OCBC Chief Operating Officer.