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PROGRAMS AND COMMITTEES UPDATE – EDUCATE – INFORM – ENTERTAIN

This year’s various luncheons, breakfasts meetings and programs have provided a wide spectrum of ideas, problems and suggestions for solutions. Representatives from government and private sectors, professionals and civic leaders discussed and
debated a variety of issues of importance to our members.

POPULAR PANEL Development of the Figueroa Corridor proved a popular draw and President John Stem (2nd r.) and Progam Chair Tom Neary (far 1.) thank participants Darryl Bolter, Morris Newman, Larry Kosmont and Steve Soboroff for making this recent program a success. Discussions centered around the new developments and the hope of interaction with the city.

DREAM TEAM
Luncheon Chair Barbara Trister and Display Chair Bob Taylor I discuss the plans fox handling the sold-out crowd for this year 's Annual Awards Luncheon.

HIGH SPEED RAIL
Speakers Dan Leavitt, Deputy Director High-Speed Rail Authority, and Donna Andrews, Member Authority led a group discussion at a recent Economic Development/Environmental committee Connecting North-ern California and Southern California is moving Clow to reality.

GOING GLOBAL
The Biotech and Biomed industries are growing and Los Angeles is working to attract these new companies. Developer Jerry Katell and Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Rocky Delgadillo spoke on the accessibility of the Mayor’s office, the types of projects now being developed and the links to good education. Now that L.A. is gaining international recognition, more companies are interested in moving to L.A. which will soon become the Biomed and Biotech Capital of the 21st Century.

Having developed over 5 million square feet of commercial, industrial and residential real estate, Mr. Katell noted specific changes in what attract companies.

Under Delgadillo’s stewardship the Mayor’s office has become more accessible and the L.A. Business Team has worked with more than 3000 companies and more than $20 billion in private investment.

President John Stern thanks speakers Jerry Katell and Rocky Delgadillo for an outstanding program.

WE SEND E-MAIL
The Government Relations Committee Chair, Sandy Paris, with help from the newly appointed Co-Chair Norman Murdoch, has selected Tom Freiberg, Rita Liebelt, Ed Casey and President John Stern to help review and focus on specific items on the ballot. Ed will e-mail those requesting results on the issues discussed. The Committee has sent letters throughout the year to the appropriate city officials or civic leaders on a variety of issues. Recent correspondence has been in support of Charter Reform and the public safety bond measure.

VIRTUAL REALITY
The third grade classes of Steven and Velora Brown of Utah Street School were taken on a very special field trip to the City of Los Angeles Superior and Municipal Courts after studying about law and civics in the classroom. Co-Chairs Mary Miyata and Parker Jones and Bob Mosier with Alan Almos (with the Court Liaison Program), organized this exceptional program which included talks with a judge and visit to the jail.

Following the tour, the children visited the new L.A. Central Library and were treated to a private story time and puppet show, followed by lunch at the park.

Another trip included committee member Mary Owens, Katherine Schneider and Bob Mosier who joined Christine Waldon, of Mitsui Fudosan and her fine staff in providing a top to bottom and behind the scenes tour of their mini-city Sanwa Bank Building.

From the pump room to power distribution equipment to emergency generators with their steamship-size diesel engines, the children saw it all, including parts of the building the owners bad never seen.

From the roof top helipad the students could see Dodger Stadium, their school and an unmatched view of downtown giving them a virtual reality tie-in to their City Building Education Program taught in their classroom.

A STAR EVENT
New members recently joined LAHq were introduced at a welcome breakfast and then gave presentations about their respective companies. Thanks to Bob Taylor and Carole Linn who planned this entertaining event and even coached some of the speakers on how to add sparkle to their presentations for future sales meetings. A similar event is being planned in late May or early June.

WELCOME
New Members include: O.R. Colan Associates, Inc of California, represented by Ian P. Medina, Law Offices of Richard M. Macias, represented by Richard M. Macias, referred by Chet Widom and Teresa Powell, Hotel Inter- Continental, represented by Robyne Wilson, referred by Sue Reeves, Center Financial, represented by Alan Gordon, referred by Carole Linn; David Kessler Studio, represented by David Kessler; Real Estate News Television, LLC (RENT), represented by Morris Newman and Steve Bloom, referred by John Stern; Tishman Speyer Properties, represented by Jim Brooks and Kristin Olson; Trical Construction, represented, by Paul Plotkin, Bill Cook and Wayne Kircher; Gabus Inc. represented by Jack Gabus, referred by John Stern; and Steelcase Inc. rep- presented by Mitchell Stewart, Jason Heredia and Dianne Purdy, referred by John Stern.

LEADERS
Carota Linn, Business Network Co-Chair thanks Board Member Rita Liebett, for chairing the largest networking group in Tri-Cities Area.