An Award-Winning Weekly Publication
OUT & ABOUT WITH DONNA
Donna Attends Fire Department Promotional Ceremony
This past week I was honored to attend the Torrance Fire Department (TFD) Promotional Ceremony held at the Toyota Meeting Hall. Torrance Fire Chief Martin Serna provided opening remarks.
 
The Toyota Meeting Hall was filled to capacity with family, friends and colleagues celebrating new employees and promotions. In the category of Fire Safety; six individuals were sworn in as fire fighters; four were promoted to Fire Engineer; six were promoted to Fire Captain and Robert Millea and Kevin Millikan were promoted to Assistant Fire Chief. Read more...
NEWS
Rob Van Lingen to Receive Major Award from the Chamber
The George Whittlesey Memorial Award is one of the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce’s most coveted honors and is presented only when an individual exhibits characteristics of prominent leadership and dedication.
 
This year’s recipient is Rob Van Lingen of The Van Lingen Group, a third-generation small business owner in Torrance. He grew up in the towing, transport, and wrecked vehicle recovery industry. After experiencing a near-fatal injury during a vehicle recovery, he used the incident as the catalyst to re-engineer the rigging, training, and equipment standards of the towing industry. Today he is considered a leading innovator in the super-heavy-duty recovery arena, consulting with private companies and municipalities across the country. Read more...

Torrance Refining Company Hosts Innovation Education Grant Program
The Torrance Refining Company (TORC) hosted the Innovation Education Grant Program which provided an opportunity for "Teacher Recognition and STEAM Curriculum Showcase" on June 7th. This program provides Torrance Unified School District teachers with needed funds to enhance their curriculum in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math, commonly known as 'STEAM'.

Earlier this year, TORC awarded grants to 28 teachers, who implemented their projects during the 2017 - 2018 school year. To have qualified, teachers were required to show a direct link to Design Thinking techniques while incorporating Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards into their proposed curriculum.
Todd Trinneer to Receive Honors from the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce
The J. Walker Owens Volunteerism Award, established in 1986, is presented to a Chamber member who demonstrates a selfless approach to serving the Chamber and business community far beyond the parameters of volunteerism.

The recipient of this year’s award is Todd Trinneer of Staybridge Suites Torrance. Todd has been an active Chamber member since 2010. He has served in multiple leadership roles with the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, including Vice Chair of Membership 2017-2019, Co-Chair of the Ambassador Program 2016-2017 and was a Chamber Ambassador from 2012-2016.  Read more...
Housing Emerges as Top Issue for Business in New LA BizFed Poll
BizFed released the findings of its Annual Pulse Poll today demonstrating a massive increase in concern for housing costs throughout Los Angeles County. Housing, Land Use and Homelesses issues moved from low-level concerns in 2017 to among highest priorities of the business community in this year’s poll. Taxes and fees again ranked as the number one business concern, as it has since 2011, and despite a growing economy the employment outlook is largely similar to recent years’ results.

“Business leaders are ringing the alarm bell on the housing crisis,” Tracy Hernandez, BizFed Founding CEO, said in a released statement to the media. “Most importantly they’re drawing the connection between the high cost of housing and the County’s astronomically high poverty rate, as well as their evaluation of whether to relocate their business.”

The annual BizFed poll represents a snapshot of key issues of concern in the Los Angeles County business community. The BizFed Pulse Poll was first taken in 2008, and has for a decade asked BizFed Member associations about issues they deem most critical to the ongoing operation and growth of their business. This year, the BizFed poll received 710 responses from business leaders in more than two dozen industries throughout Los Angeles County.

“This marks 10 years of measuring business sentiment in LA County, and we have here a unique and valuable yardstick for how the view of employers have evolved over the last decade,” said David Fleming, Founding Chair of BizFed. “In BizFed’s first poll, taken in the midst of the financial meltdown in 2008, Access to Capital was the #1 concern of business. Just behind it was State and Local Budgets, which were plagued by deficits at the time. Now we see Housing – already one of BizFed’s key advocacy issues – rising to the top.” Click here to learn more about BizFed.
TACC Board of Directors Farewell Luncheon
Last week, the TACC's 2017-2018 Board of Directors met at Gaetano's for their annual farewell luncheon. The luncheon provided the opportunity for the outgoing Chairman of the Board, Laurie Brandt, to express thanks to board members for their volunteer service to our business community; as well as recognize the years of effort and support provided by board members who are terming out, including Marianne Brooks (front right) of Adecco, and Linda Amato (second from right, front) of the DoubleTree by Hilton Torrance-South Bay. A very special thanks to Vince Giuliano and the team at Gaetano's Restaurant for their hospitality.
CalChamber-Opposed Bill Will Increase Energy Costs
Legislation that will lead to increased energy costs has passed the Senate, is under consideration in the Assembly and is opposed by the California Chamber of Commerce and a coalition of industry groups and local chambers of commerce.

SB 64  (Wieckowski; D-Fremont) arbitrarily imposes severe limitations on the operation of energy-generating facilities and unnecessarily increases costs for ratepayers by creating a short list of facilities subject to immediate shutdown with only 24 hours’ notice on days when forecasts predict air quality will exceed state or federal ambient air quality standards—otherwise known as non-attainment days.
NEW MEMBERS
Congratulations on Joining the Torrance Area Chamber Community!
RENEWING MEMBERS
  The Torrance Area Business Community Wouldn't Be the Same Without You.
UPCOMING EVENTS
(a.k.a. Networking Opportunities!)
Click On Event Name for Complete Info/Tickets/RSVP
Business @ Noon : Andre's (inside the DoubleTree by Hilton Torrance-South Bay): Tuesday, June 19 @ 11:45am-1:15pm
Ribbon Cutting : Guaranty Escrow: Thursday, June 28 @ 3:30pm
Summer Fest 2018: The Depot
Sunday, August 12th | 4pm-9pm
Benefitting the TACC Foundation's
LEAD Program
Stay tuned for a detailed email next week!
There's Always Something Happening at the
Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce!
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The Chamber Helps Torrance Area Businesses Reach Their Full Potential
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Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce | (310) 540-5858 | www.TorranceChamber.com