JULY 22, 2019 BUSINESS JOURNAL 17

THE VALLEY

THE MOST INFLUENTIAL LEADERS IN THE VALLEY AREA 2019

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20DEX IN 24 LETTER FROM THE TABLE OF EDITOR & PUBLISHER 26 ADVISORS 33 BUSINESS CONTENTS 43 EDUCATION 46 FINANCE 49 GOVERNMENT 52 HEALTH CARE 56 ORGANIZATIONS 59 REAL ESTATE

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013-74_sfvbj20190722.indd 19 7/17/19 12:55 PM THE VALLEY 200 20 SAN FERNANDO VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL JULY 22, 2019 INDEX

PEOPLE J Sengupta, Sumantra ...... 44 Compass Charter Schools ...... 43 N Jackson, Christopher ...... 59 Shaffery, John ...... 32 ConsejoSano ...... 52 NAI Capital ...... 59. A Jacobs, Jonathan “Jake” ...... 30 Shapiro, David ...... 51 Cooper Communications ...... 26 NBCUniversal ...... 40 Adelman, David ...... 26 Sherman, Brad ...... 51 K CorporateImpressionsLA ...... 36 Netsol Technologies ...... 36 Adelstein, Wayne ...... 26 Sigal, Sandy ...... 60 Cresa ...... 60 NewMark Merrill Cos ...... 60. Kahn, Dan ...... 30 Akpovi, Mary ...... 26 Simpson, Danone ...... 48 Cusumano Real Estate Group . . . . 59. Northeast Valley Health Corp ...... 55 Alfano, Madelyn ...... 33 Kassendorf, Alexander ...... 30 Simpson , Wendy ...... 60 Allen, Bill ...... 56. Katz, Richard ...... 30 Skeeter, Jane ...... 41 D P Alpert, Lee Kanon ...... 26. Khorsand, Vahid ...... 47 Smith , Christy ...... 51 Decision Group ...... 26. Pacific Federal ...... 46 Pacifica Hospital of the Valley . . . . 52. Apfelthaler, Gerhard ...... 43 Kim, Yi Sun ...... 30 Sobolewski, Michael ...... 41 Dickey’s Barbecue Pit ...... 41 Parker Brown ...... 40 Archer, Michael ...... 33 Kimball, Christopher ...... 43. Starczyk, Nancy ...... 61 DLC Group ...... 47 King, Coby ...... 31 Paul Davis Insurance Services . . . . . 46 Arndt, Erick ...... 26 Steele-Figueredo, David ...... 44 Klein, Bernard ...... 52 E PCL Construction ...... 40 Atsinger III, Edward ...... 33 Stern, Henry ...... 51. Encino Chamber of Commerce . . . 56. Pegi Matsuda Consulting ...... 31 Knopp, Tony ...... 36 Stevens, Todd ...... 41. ERP Power ...... 33 PennyMac Financial Services Inc . . . 47. B Knudson, Ed ...... 43. Subramaniam, Chandra ...... 44 Bahamon, Paula ...... 46 People Media ...... 31 Koretz, Paul ...... 50 Surowitz, Dale ...... 54 F Point of View Communications . . . . . 32 Barad, Jill Banks ...... 56 Koshet, Michael ...... 59 Swartz, Jan ...... 41 Fernando Awards ...... 57 Polaris Group ...... 31 Barger, Kathryn ...... 49 Krekorian, Paul ...... 50. Swearman, Matthew ...... 58 Fox and Hounds Daily ...... 28 Beddingfield III, Frederick . . . . . 33. Kurland , Stanford ...... 47 Poms & Associates ...... 48 T G Bendavid, Sue ...... 26 L Poole & Shaffery ...... 32 Tang-Paradis, Sim ...... 48 G&B Law ...... 26, 30 Premier Carpet ...... 34. Berg, Pamela ...... 33 Lacy, Clay ...... 38. Tingus, Michael ...... 61 Gaines & Stacey ...... 28. Princess Cruises ...... 41 Berrellez, Victor ...... 46 Landsman, Stephen ...... 31 Todd, Teresa ...... 32. Galpin Motors ...... 33, 34 ProHealth Medical Group ...... 52 Blumenfield, Bob ...... 49 Lara, Gail ...... 57 Tucker, Therese ...... 42 Garland ...... 38 Providence Holy Cross Medical Center . . . 52 Boeckmann, Beau ...... 33 Larian, Isaac ...... 38 Tutor, Ronald ...... 42 Gaspar Insurance Services . . . . . 46. Providence Tarzana Medical Center . . . 54 Boeckmann, Bert ...... 33 Lederer, Jill ...... 57 Gelb Group ...... 59,. 60 Boeckmann, Karl ...... 34 Lemmo, Rickey ...... 59 V Q Gelt Inc ...... 61 Bonrouhi, David ...... 46 Lenton, Len ...... 38. Valdespino, Gustavo ...... 54 Qualstar Corp ...... 34 GeoLinks ...... 36 Bough, Phil ...... 56. Lewis, J J...... 43 Valdez, Louie ...... 48 Van Hook, Dianne ...... 44. Glendale, City of ...... 50. R Bradway, Robert ...... 34. Lienhard, Rebecca ...... 57 Randy Witt Productions ...... 42 Vanyek, Nancy Hoffman ...... 58 Greater Chamber Bronson, Steven ...... 34. Light, Jonathan Fraser ...... 31 Really Great Employee Benefits . . . . 26 Villalobos, Adel ...... 42 of Commerce ...... 57 Like, Mitzi ...... 47 Richard Katz Consulting ...... 30 C Greater San Fernando Valley Lockhart, John ...... 31 W Rodeo Realty ...... 61 Castagna, Curt ...... 34 Chamber of Commerce ...... 58 Castagna, Michael ...... 34 Loden, Brigette ...... 57. Waldman, Stuart ...... 58 Ronald Reagan Presidential LoGuercio, Richard ...... 38. Green Polishing Solutions . . . . . 34. Choi , Robin ...... 46 Wasserman, Keith ...... 61 Foundation ...... 56 Grossman Burn Centers ...... 52 Cohn, Barry ...... 26 M Wilding , Michael ...... 42 Rose Snyder & Jacobs ...... 30 Comins, Alan ...... 34 Madarian, Natasha ...... 52 Williams, Diana ...... 58 H Rosenheim & Associates ...... 32 Wilson, Paula ...... 55 Cooper, Martin ...... 26 Maier, John ...... 38 Hedman Partners ...... 30 Witt, Randy ...... 42 S Craft, Ken ...... 56. Manzo, Tom ...... 38 Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital . . . . . 54 Salem Media Group ...... 33 Wolfe, Carol ...... 61 Cusumano, Michael ...... 59 Marshall , Smith ...... 41. Heritage Group ...... 52. San Fernando Valley Fair ...... 57 Martha Diaz, Aszkenazy ...... 33 Wyard, Kimberly ...... 55. High Point Strategies ...... 31 D San Fernando Valley Sun and El Sol . .33 Mason, Abner ...... 52. Y Hilton Woodland Hills / . . . 42 Davis, Paul ...... 46 San Fernando, City of ...... 49 Matsuda, Pegi ...... 31 Yallen, Robert ...... 42 Holthouse Carlin Van Trigt ...... 30 Santa Clarita Valley Economic Davis, Mark ...... 34 Mayes, Precious ...... 52. Yu, John ...... 55 Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission . . . 56 Development Corp ...... 58 Demoff, Kevin ...... 34 Mazirow, Sheryl ...... 59 Horace Heidt Agency ...... 36 SCV Startup ...... 26 Ditchfield, Skyler ...... 36 McCoy, Rob ...... 50. Horace Heidt Productions . . . . . 36. Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce . . 58 DiTomaso Jr ,. Frank ...... 46 Mehranian, Maria ...... 57 House of Representatives, U S. . . . . 51. Sienna Biopharmaceuticals Inc . . . . . 33 Dueber, Ross ...... 36 COMPANIES, Merkin, Richard ...... 52 ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOLS Small Manufacturers Association Duenas, Diana ...... 56 Mills, Scott ...... 38 I of ...... 56 ImmunoCellular Therapeutics . . . . . 55 E Moradian, Shawn ...... 60 1-9 Someone’s in the Kitchen . . . . . 40. Interlink Electronics Inc ...... 34 Evenhaim, Shawn ...... 59 Munter, James ...... 47 20/20 Network ...... 28. Squar Milnar ...... 31 InterMedia Group of Cos ...... 42 Mussi, Natalie ...... 52 A SRG ...... 28 F Invesco QQQ Championship ...... 56 Sun Hill Properties Inc ...... 34 Fajardo, Joel ...... 49 N Acorn Newspapers ...... 40. Sweet Arleen’s ...... 41 Faulkner, Chad ...... 36 Nadji, Hessam ...... 60 Aeroplex/Aerolease Group ...... 34 J Joel Fox Consulting ...... 28 Fienup, Matthew ...... 43 Najarian , Ara ...... 50 Alpert, Barr & Grant ...... 26, 30 T AmaWaterways ...... 41 Flavin, Tom ...... 56 Nazarian, Adrin ...... 50. K Terri Hilliard PC ...... 30 Nissen, Steve ...... 40 Amgen ...... 34 Fleming, David ...... 28 Kadima Security ...... 40. Tharpe & Howell ...... 28 Norris, Kathy ...... 57 Antelope Valley College ...... 43 Fleming, Cheri ...... 36 Kahn Media ...... 30 Thousand Oaks Boulevard Association . .60 Nury, Martinez ...... 50 Armenia Fund Inc ...... 57 Forman, Stephanie ...... 28 Kaiser Permanente Panorama City Thousand Oaks, City of ...... 50 Nygren, Patrick ...... 47 Aszkenazy Development ...... 33 TicketManager ...... 36 Fox, Joel ...... 28 Medical Center ...... 52 Tierra del Sol Foundation ...... 57 Freund, Jennifer ...... 36. O B KW Commercial ...... 59 Timely Prefinished Steel Door Frames 38 Friedman, Laura ...... 49. Olenick, Michael ...... 58 Ballard Rosenberg Golper & Savitt . . . 31 Orquiola, Cathy ...... 40 Bank of America Merrill Lynch . . . . . 47 L Town and Country Event Rentals . . . . 38 G Lancaster, City of ...... 50 TR Funding ...... 60 P Bank of Santa Clarita ...... 46 Gabel-Luddy, Emily ...... 49 BKF Capital Group Inc ...... 34 LBW Insurance and Tutor Perini ...... 42 Panesis, Mike ...... 43. Gabler, Karen ...... 28 Blackline ...... 42 Financial Services ...... 47 Parker, John ...... 40. U Gabriel, Jesse ...... 49 Blue Microphones ...... 38 Leavitt Group ...... 47 Parris, R . Rex ...... 50 UltraGlas Inc ...... 41 Gaines, Fred ...... 28. Burbank Chamber of Commerce . . . .56 Lee & Associates - LA North/Ventura . . 61 Pearson, Lindy ...... 60 Union Bank ...... 47 Gallegher, Tim ...... 28 Burbank, City of ...... 49 Lewitt, Hackman, Shapiro, Pearson, Rick ...... 60 US Bank ...... 46. Garrison, James ...... 46 BWS Financial Inc ...... 47 Marshall & Harlan ...... 26 Pendergraft, Ross ...... 47. Gaspar, Tim ...... 46 LG Strategies ...... 28 V Perry, Louis ...... 40 C Valdez Wealth Management Group Gelb, Rickey ...... 59 Lief Labs ...... 42 Phelps, David ...... 58 Calabasas Capital ...... 46 of Wells Fargo Advisors ...... 48 Ghauri, Najeeb ...... 36 LightGabler ...... 28, 31 Phillips, Kenn ...... 58 Calabasas, City of ...... 51 Valencia Acura ...... 36 Gilinsky, Dak ...... 47 . . . . .49, 50 Pollack, Gloria ...... 60 California Business and I Valley Alliance of Neighborhood Councils . 56 Goodreau, David ...... 56. Poms, David ...... 48. ndustrial Alliance ...... 38 Los Angeles County ...... 49 Valley Community Healthcare . . . . 55. Greenwood, Tish ...... 56 Principe, Tony ...... 60. California Courier ...... 40 Los Angeles County Economic Valley Economic Alliance ...... 58 Greuel, Wendy ...... 43 California Home Builders ...... 59 Development Corp ...... 56. Valley Industry & Commerce Association . 58 Grey, Andrew ...... 28 R California Lutheran University . . .43, 44 Los Angeles Rams ...... 34 Reinke, Brent ...... 31 Valley Industry Association ...... 57 Gritzner, Lisa ...... 28 California Lutheran University Los Robles Hospital and Rodine, Robert ...... 31 Valley Presbyterian Hospital ...... 54 Grossman, Peter ...... 52. Center for Entrepreneurship . . . . . 43 Medical Center ...... 52 Rosenberg, Richard ...... 31 Valley Village ...... 58 Gurney, Tamara ...... 47 California Museum of Art LTC Properties ...... 60 Rosenheim, Brad ...... 32 ViaSource Solutions ...... 38 Thousand Oaks ...... 56 H Roshan, Payman ...... 52 M California Resources Corp ...... 41 W Harrison, Dianne ...... 43 Roth-Oseary, Joann ...... 40 Mamba Sports Academy ...... 36 Walt Disney Co ...... 36 California State Assembly . . . . . 49. Hedman, Calvin ...... 30 Rule, Jim ...... 40 MannKind Corp ...... 34 Wells Fargo, San Fernando Valley . . . . 46 California State Senate ...... 49, 51 Heidt, Horace ...... 36 Rule, Lisa ...... 40 West Valley-Warner Center Chamber California State University - Marcus & Millichap ...... 60 Hertzberg, Robert ...... 49 Ryu, David ...... 50 of Commerce ...... 58 Northridge ...... 43,. 44 Maria’s Italian Kitchen ...... 33 Heubusch, John ...... 56 Westcord Commercial Real Estate S Caruso ...... 59 Martini Akpovi Partners ...... 26 Hilliard, Terri ...... 30. Services ...... 60 Sassounian, Harut ...... 40 CBRE Group ...... 59 Mazirow Commercial ...... 59 Honda, David ...... 57 Wet Design ...... 41 Scavone, Arleen ...... 41 Child Care Resource Center ...... 58 MGA Entertainment ...... 38 Horne, Lewis ...... 59 Women’s Collaborative Mentoring Schreiner, Rudi ...... 41. City National Bank ...... 48 Mission Valley Bank ...... 46, 47 Hutchins, Greg ...... 30 Program ...... 57 Schroeder, Holly ...... 58 Clay Lacy Aviation ...... 38 Montage Insurance Solutions . . . . . 48 Woodbury University ...... 44 I Schwartz, Todd ...... 41. College of the Canyons ...... 44 MP Printing & Mailing ...... 33 Iger, Robert ...... 36 Scott, Robert ...... 32 Commerce Department ...... 57 Mulholland Institute ...... 32 Z Irwin, Jacqui ...... 49 Seaver, Roger ...... 54. Community Foundation of the Valleys .57 Musick, Peeler & Garrett ...... 31 Zpower ...... 36

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San Fernando Valley businesses, I'm proud of all you've done to make Los Angeles County better and brighter. You have my full support and I am honored to be your advocate and your Supervisor.

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n the following pages are profiles of the 200 people we consider the most influential in the Valley area. If you scan the profiles, you’ll see immediately that these impactful leaders are not easy to categorize. Some are driven business operators. Others lead organizations that strive to make our community a better place. A few are top educators. Still others might be described as ingenious or indefatigable professionals. I could go on, but all can be characterized this way: OThey are leaders. They are the ones striving to accomplish important objectives in whatever realm they operate in. They are the engaged and persuasive ones we depend on. They are the most influential people in our midst. Why do we list these 200 people? There’s value in simply identifying the dynamic agents among us, sure. But beyond that, I like to think that 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. We are pointing them out so that the rest of us can acknowledge them. If you come across any of the people on the subsequent pages, you may feel compelled to congratulate them. That’s perfectly un- derstandable, of course. But please don’t forget to do something important: thank them for their many contributions. I will conclude this note, as I always do, by saying this: I believe our list of influential people is very good, but it is not perfect. If you know anyone who’s an emerging leader, or perhaps an established one we overlooked, let me know. I’d be pleased to consider them next year. You can always reach me at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Charles Crumpley Editor and Publisher

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024_V200-Pub Letter.indd 24 7/17/19 2:27 PM JULY 22, 2019 SAN FERNANDO VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL 25 Tharpe & Howell, LLP SAN FERNANDO VALLEY’S LARGEST LAW FIRM Meet the Partners that will Handle Your Legal Needs

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DAVID ADELMAN ERICK ARNDT G&B Law SCV Startup

David Adelman is a partner at G&B Law, an Encino-based law firm, Erick Arndt, 48, is founder of SCV Startup, a content- and where he focusses his practice on corporate, real estate and intellectual mentorship-driven accelerator program designed to help launch property transactions. For his clients, he develops business strategies, technology companies in the Santa Clarita Valley. Arndt also is a provides business counsel and structures, negotiates and documents wealth advisor and co-founder of Virtue Wealth Management. He business deals. Adelman served internships at the California Supreme helps human resource directors and chief financial officers improve Court and the American Civil Liberties Union. He holds community their retirement plans, teaches employees about money and helps service in high regard, and is on several nonprofit boards, such as the clients pursue their financial and life goals. Arndt also is a member Valley Industry and Commerce Association, where he is a past chair; of the advisory board at College of the Canyons. Valley Presbyterian Hospital, New Horizons and Fit 4 The Cause. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Hollywood Bowl. What a wonderful venue. Can’t wait for Mozart FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: TJ Korean BBQ followed by Carnival Karaoke. Under the Stars! ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: About the same. Apparent imperviousness to continuing political ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up but I pray political leaders are paying attention and not just and social volatility and unrest. working on new taxes. The world is changing quickly, and we need to adapt. PASSION: Providing fitness programs to low-income communities through mynonprofit PASSION: Self-improvement. Right now it’s nutrition and feeding my body optimal food. organization, Fit 4 The Cause.

SUE M. BENDAVID WAYNE ADELSTEIN Lewitt, Hackman, Shapiro, Marshall & Harlan The Decision Group Sue Bendavid, 56, is chair of the employment practice group at the Wayne Adelstein, 70, is owner of the Decision Group, a business Lewitt, Hackman, Shapiro, Marshall & Harlan law firm in Encino. consulting firm specializing in developing and implementing For more than 29 years, she has exclusively represented employers strategies for success. Adelstein has served on the boards of Valley in their legal matters. She is a strong proponent of employee Industry and Commerce Association, where he was vice chair; claims prevention via management training and clearly established Valley Economic Alliance; Valley Economic Development Center, company policies. She also is co-chair of the Labor and Employment where he was chair; California State University – Northridge Alumni Committee of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association. Association, where he was president; CSU Alumni Council, where he was president, and he is now chair of the Fernando Awards FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Fryman Canyon in Studio City. I love to hike on the weekends and Foundation. In addition, he has served on numerous government appointed commissions. being in nature. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Like a roller coaster – up and down – due to political tensions and FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Rocky Point and the surrounding hills in Chatsworth; great place to uncertainty. find serenity. PASSION: Being outdoors and having new experiences – like traveling to other cities and countries ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Don’t know. The impact of tariffs and other factors impacting the and learning the history. economy are unknown. PASSION: Spending time with family and friends. BARRY COHN Really Great Employee Benefits MARY AKPOVI Martini Akpovi Partners Barry S. Cohn, 64, is president of Really Great Employee Benefits, an employee benefits consulting firm headquartered in Canoga Mary Akpovi, Ph.D., is a partner with the accounting firm of Martini Park, and the chief executive of JorgensenHR, headquartered in Akpovi Partners in Encino. Akpovi is a certified public accountant Santa Clarita. RGEB works with 350 companies, assisting them with focus on tax and consulting in the areas of estate planning, with employee benefits cost containment, compliance and employee mergers and acquisitions and international operations. She holds engagement. JorgensenHR works with 150 companies, assisting a doctorate in business administration and a master’s in business them with all areas of human resources. Cohn serves on the boards taxation from the University of , along with a of Valley Industry and Commerce Association and the Valley master’s in business administration from Santa Clara University. Economic Alliance. He has chaired three Light the Night Walks raising money for the Leukemia Akpovi devotes significant time to volunteering with various local and Lymphoma Society. He has served on the board and executive committee of Shomrei Torah and foreign charities that serve women, orphans and the homeless. She has sat on the boards Synagogue for 8 years as well as the UCLA Alumni Association executive committee and the of Exceptional Children Foundation and the Valley Rescue Mission and received the Business board of the UCLA Foundation. He’s also a member of ProVisors and other organizations. Journal’s Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Women’s Council last year. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: I like to walk or hike starting at the Victory Boulevard trailhead in FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Hope of the Valley Help Center – where the homeless are Ahmanson Ranch. helped and encouraged. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I think the economy will be growing about the same, around 3 percent. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: It should be up because all economic indicators are currently favorable. HOBBY OR PASSION: My favorite hobby is watching old movies, especially film noir, and reading PASSION: Building/re-building lives wherever they may be, in whatever ways I can. mysteries, spy novels and nonfiction.

LEE KANON ALPERT MARTIN M. COOPER Alpert, Barr & Grant Cooper Communications, Inc.

Lee Kanon Alpert, 72, is a founding member and senior of counsel Martin Cooper, 77, is president of Cooper Communications Inc., to the law firm of Alpert, Barr & Grant in Encino. He also is the in Encino, a public relations and marketing firm he founded in president and founding member of Alpert Dispute Resolution and 1982. Previously, Cooper was senior vice president-marketing and Consulting Inc., and he is a registered lobbyist. Alpert is chair of communications for Playboy Enterprises. Prior to that, he was senior the committee overseeing the $550 million rebuilding of Providence vice president of a national public relations firm and supervised such Tarzana Hospital (soon to be Providence Cedars Sinai Tarzana clients as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with its Hospital). He is a past president of these organizations: the governing annual Academy Awards and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses. board of Providence Health and Services hospitals; the Los Angeles Previously, he was Disneyland’s advertising and promotion manager. Department of Water and Power board of commissioners and the Los Angeles Building and Safety He has authored four books, one of which was a compilation of his Business Journal essays. He most Department. He is First President of Neighborhood Empowerment, a past commissioner of Los recent book, “Read All About It! The San Fernando Valley: 1946-1970,” won the annual CSUN Angeles World Airports, and is past chair and current and founding board member of Genesis Oviatt Library Award for the best nonfiction book on the San Fernando Valley in 2016. He received L.A. Alpert also serves on these advisory boards: Homes for Families, which provides affordable his profession’s highest award, the Public Relations Society of America’s Silver Anvil. Founder of homes for military veterans; the Valley Industry and Commerce Association; the Valley Economic The Executives, a support group of the Jewish Home of the Aging, he was presented its highest Alliance and New Directions for Youth. Alpert is past president of the San Fernando Valley Bar. honor, the Circle of Life Award. In 2014, he received the Fernando Award. He is past chairman of He has received the Fernando Award for lifetime achievement. the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley and chairman of the UCLA Film & Television Archive. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: clubs, parks or lakes. Why? Peace, tranquility and beauty of nature. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Wherever there is good food, good wine, and good conversation…life’s greatest pleasures. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Sadly, truly uncertain, because of volatility and instability in Washington and world. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up – and down. Tariffs and a lack of a clear national fiscal policy lead to instability. PASSION: Helping those in need. Grandkids, travel, athletics, reading, television/movies and friends. PASSION: Antique typewriters (1850-1930), Winston Churchill and travel.

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DAVID FLEMING FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Burbank Airport – whether on my way to something fun, or returning Senior Advisor to Sen. Robert Hertzberg home to people I love. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up – because I’d rather expect good things in the future than waste David Fleming, 84, described by former Los Angeles Mayor Richard time worrying! Riordan as “Mr. San Fernando Valley,” now serves as the senior advisor to State Senator Robert Hertzberg. During his 58-year legal PASSION: Riding my horse! Outside, working with animals, feeling instead of thinking. career, he was appointed to 14 federal, state, county and city boards and commissions. He has also served on more than 20 nonprofit boards and foundations and chaired many of them, including the Valley Economic Alliance for 16 years and Valley Presbyterian FRED GAINES Hospital for 25 years. A founder of the Los Angeles County Business Gaines & Stacey Federation (BizFed), Fleming was the recipient of the Fernando Award in 1992 and the Los Angeles Fred Gaines, 59, is the founding and managing partner of Gaines & Area Chamber of Commerce’s Civic Medal of Honor in 2014. In May, he was given the Twice a Stacey, an Encino law firm that provides counsel on real estate law. Citizen award from the Los Angeles Police Department Reserve Foundation. He specializes in regulatory approvals, litigation about development FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: CSUN’s Performing Arts Center. For years many of us worked to bring and California Environmental Quality Act lawsuits. Voters put performing arts to the Valley. Now we have it. Gaines on the Calabasas City Council for two terms and he is a two- time mayor there. The former chairman of the Valley Industry and ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up. Don’t discount Trump. Commerce Association, he received that organization’s Harmon PASSION: Golf – but I’m getting too old to play often. Ballin Community Service Award in 2005. He serves on the board of the Valley Economic Alliance as well. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Every Sunday my wife Jill and I take a hike in the Santa Monica STEPHANIE FORMAN Mountains. The Valley looks amazingly beautiful from up there. Tharpe & Howell ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Based upon low unemployment and low interest rates, I see the economy sustaining slow steady growth into the foreseeable future. Stephanie Forman, managing partner of Tharpe & Howell, oversees the operations of the Sherman Oaks law firm, which is the largest PASSION: I love watching baseball, especially my beloved Dodgers. I hope to complete my visits in the Valley area. She is AV Preeminent Rated, one of the highest to all 30 MLB ballparks by the end of this season (I’m at 23 right now). ratings available to attorneys nationwide, and her practice focuses on all phases of civil litigation in both federal and state courts, including arbitration, mediation and trial. Forman represents a broad range of clients, primarily in the areas of employment and labor law, premises TIM GALLAGHER liability, product liability, wrongful death and mass tort litigation. The 20/20 Network She has extensive experience counseling companies on administrative and regulatory compliance Tim Gallagher, 63, the former editor and publisher of the Ventura issues, including environmental and diverse risk assessment matters. She is also a member of the County Star, is a public relations consultant who has worked on Defense Research Institute and the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance. behalf of developers, nonprofits, business owners and universities. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Petit Trois. Great food, and sitting at the chef’s counter is a treat. He started The 20/20 Network in 2007 after 29 years as a reporter, editor and publisher at newspapers in New Mexico, Texas and PASSION: Travel with my husband and son. We love to explore new places. California. At the Ventura County Star, he was the editor from 1995 to 2004 and then the publisher from 2004 to 2007. His years in the news business fed his appetite for public affairs. “I hate politics, but JOEL FOX I love public policy,” he said. Fox and Hounds Daily FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: . So many hiking paths. Joel Fox Consulting ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Same. 2020 is an election year and most potential actions are on Joel Fox, 70, leads the website Fox and Hounds Daily, which offers hold. commentary and news on California business and politics. He served PASSION: Baseball. New York Mets fan since 1962 as founder and president of the Small Business Action Committee from 2003 to 2017, and he is known for his 19 years with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, serving as president from 1986 to 1998. Over the years, Fox has taken a key role in many statewide ANDREW J. GREY and local ballot proposition campaigns; he served on six state SRG commissions appointed by Governors Pete Wilson and Arnold Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speakers and Bob Hertzberg, as well as serving as vice chair on the Los Andrew J. Grey, 63, is a certified public accountant and co-managing Angeles County Blue Ribbon Budget Task Force appointed by Supervisor Mike Antonovich. partner of SRG in Woodland Hills. He has developed an extensive audit He was a senior policy consultant for the Schwarzenegger for Governor campaign during the and tax practice, specializing in tax minimization, financial statement recall election of 2003 and was a state co-chairman of the John McCain for President campaign optimization and sophisticated estate planning. Outside of public in 2000. He has written hundreds of opinion articles which have appeared in the Wall Street accounting, Grey’s experience includes controller and chief financial Journal, USA Today, Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times, among others, and he has officer for the Baldwin Co., a real estate development company; and written several books. He has been an adjunct professor at the Graduate School of Public Policy serving as chief financial officer at several private and publicly traded at Pepperdine University since 2006. companies. Grey was the founder of a consumer product company in over 27,000 retail stores. Grey’s professional affiliations include the AICPA, California Society FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: O’Melveny Park. Nature in the city and friendly folks. My dog loves of CPAs, and the American Bar Association. He is a trustee on three family owned real estate it, too. companies with more than $1.5 billion in net equities, and a trustee of several charitable trusts and ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: No one has called this right recently so who knows. Down a bit. foundations. In 2013, Grey won one of the Business Journal’s Trusted Advisors awards. PASSION: Pirates, from the Golden Age to the political world. LISA GRITZNER KAREN L. GABLER LG Strategies LightGabler Lisa Gritzner, 46, the founder of LG Strategies, a public relations and strategic communications consulting firm based in Los Angeles. Karen L. Gabler is an employment law attorney and co-founder of She served as president of public relations firm Cerrell Associates in the LightGabler law firm in Camarillo. She has counseled employers Los Angeles from 2004 to 2016 and was chief of staff to former Los and management on virtually every aspect of employment law for Angeles City Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski from 1998 to 2004. more than 26 years, concentrating on proactive strategies to foster Gritzner is chair of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association. workplace productivity and prevent legal problems. She has authored She is a past president of the Saban Free Clinic board and sits on numerous articles and served as an expert commentator for a variety the founders’ board of the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust. of business and legal publications. She is a sought-after speaker and She was selected to participate in Harvard University’s Senior Executives in State and Local conducts regular seminars and training programs on employment Government program in 2004. law and management skills. For seven consecutive years, Gabler has been selected as a Southern California Super Lawyer. She has been named the Woman of the Year by the Greater Conejo Valley FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: I love the energy of Ventura Boulevard from the Cahuenga Pass to Chamber of Commerce and has been recognized by the Business Journal as a Trusted Advisor for Woodland Hills. I enjoy all the great shops and restaurants. Innovation Leadership and a Top Attorney in Client Service. She has taught employment law and ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: While the national economy may be down overall, California will litigation as an adjunct professor at the Pepperdine University School of Law. Gabler has been active remain strong because of our unique diversity and energy. in more than a dozen business and civic groups and received the United Way’s Milton M. Teague Award for volunteer service. She was honored with 805 Living magazine’s Giving Back award. PASSION: Traveling is my greatest passion! I truly live for the adventure.

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Where your future is closer than you think.

SCVEDC congratulates the leaders from the Santa Clarita Valley on their Valley 200 recognition!

Located just 30 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, the Santa Clarita Valley offers you the space to think big. Consistently ranked as LA County's most business-friendly city, Santa Clarita is also named among the best cities to live, heathiest citities, and best places to start a family. We invite you to discover why more and more companies are choosing to call the Santa Clarita Valley home! scvedc.org

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CALVIN D. HEDMAN DAN KAHN Hedman Partners Kahn Media

Calvin Hedman, 62, is president of Hedman Partners in Valencia. Dan Kahn, 40, founded Kahn Media in 2008 with the premise of He has more than three decades of experience as a certified public merging public relations tactics with consumer engagement through accountant. In addition to audit and tax services, Hedman provides branding, social media and influencer marketing. The company, consulting expertise in strategic planning, acquisition due diligence based in Moorpark, has 25 employees 6 publicists, social strategists reviews, estate planning, shareholder buyouts, and business acquisition and other creatives and developers. The company this year was named or sale structuring and planning. Prior to establishing Hedman one of the fastest growing in the country by Inc. magazine, and it is a Partners, Hedman served as a partner in Grant Thornton’s Los member of the Forbes Agency Council as a PR/Digital advisor. Kahn Angeles office and the Valencia firm of Martin & Hedman. A member serves on the board of the Specialty Equipment Market Association of American Institute of CPAs and California Society of CPAs, Hedman also serves on the Santa (SEMA) and the Checkered Flag 200 charitable organization. Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp.’s board. He is a founding member of the Santa Clarita Valley Aerospace Defense Coalition and is on the Santa Clarita Valley YMCA’s advisory board. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Hiking on local trails with my family and dogs. PR is a high-pressure gig, and while urban, the Valley is surrounded by stunning trails that are great for blowing off FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Valencia Country Club (or any ) – I enjoy a “walk in the steam. park” and being outside and active. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Historically the economy has dipped into recession every 7 years; ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: The same (if not up). With the current direction and steam of the so we are due for a correction. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. economy, I expect continued growth, but more modest as we could be restricted by a limited PASSION: I am passionate about media, but outside work I love camping with my family – we try available qualified labor force. to go at least once a month. It helps us get away from technology and connect with the important PASSION: Travelling with family and being active (especially playing basketball and golf). things in life – each other.

TERRI HILLIARD ALEXANDER S. KASENDORF Terri Hilliard P.C. Alpert, Barr & Grant

Terri Hilliard, 58, is a lawyer and published author. Her law practice Alexander S. Kasendorf, 44, is a partner with Alpert, Barr & Grant centers on advanced estate planning, business succession planning, in Encino and has more than 18 years of legal experience focusing on asset preservation, special needs trusts and family protection planning matters involving complex business, real estate and commercial law for seniors, notably veterans. She won the Business Journal’s Trusted and litigation, dispute resolution, strategic advocacy and lobbying. Advisor award in 2017 and 2018. She founded the Pro Bono Panel He is a registered lobbyist with the city and county of Los Angeles. of Attorneys called “Legal Concerns” where she oversees lawyers He was named as a Super Lawyer in 2019. He is vice chairman in eldercare, advising seniors and caregivers in estate planning. In and secretary of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association. 2019, she became a founding member of the National Alliance of Kasendorf is a former chairman and president of the San Fernando Attorneys for Alzheimer’s Planning, a nonprofit focused on educating caregivers and clients as well Valley Jaycees, and he won a Trusted Advisor award from the Business Journal in August 2017. as the community. Her next two books focus on Alzheimer’s care for the newly diagnosed and the caregiver entitled, “You’re not Alone.” FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The Van Nuys Sherman Oaks War Memorial Park. My three children play football, baseball, soccer and basketball at the park and it is a great place to let the kids (and FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The L.A. Zoo and a family favorite Cuban restaurant, “La Bamba” in dogs) run loose and have fun. Burbank. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Down. We are due for a downward turn and I can see some of ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Boom, then bust. “our” more questionable economic policies coming home to roost. PASSION: Mentoring nonprofit businesses to bolster their ability to help others. PASSION: My kids. Love watching them play.

GREG HUTCHINS RICHARD KATZ Holthouse Carlin Van Trigt Richard Katz Consulting

Greg Hutchins, 58, is a certified public accountant and principal at Richard Katz, 68, served in the California State Assembly for 16 years, Holthouse Carlin Van Trigt in Westlake Village. He has more than including 10 years as chairman of the Transportation Committee. He 30 years of experience providing tax consulting and compliance helped create the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Authority, or services to high net worth individuals and their related entities. He is Metro, and after his days in Sacramento served for eight years on on the board of Moore Stephens North America and is also a member the Metro board. As a board member of Metrolink, Katz focused on of Moore Stephens International Limited, an independent global safety issues, including leading an effort that resulted in the transit accountancy and business advisory association of affiliated CPA agency being the first to implement Positive Train Control, satellite- and financial services firms. Additionally, Hutchins is on the board based safety technology. Katz is the owner of a public policy and of several private and public companies, and he frequently speaks at industry events regarding the government relations firm, Richard Katz Consulting. He serves as chairman emeritus of the Valley impact of changing tax legislation. Economic Alliance, and he is on the boards of Heal the Bay, the Saving the West Foundation and the Los Angeles Coalition. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Selfishly, the golf course. For family purposes, going to the barn to watch my daughter jump her horse FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: My barber (Tarzana), who doubles as a very successful day trader. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Though there do appear to be some headwinds, I’m still seeing ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Slightly up, because it’s a presidential election year. positive trends so I’d say up. PASSION: My passion is my 12-year-old son, Mitchell. My hobbies are my 60 roses, basketball PASSION: Fishing trips with my daughter (playing, watching) and politics.

JONATHAN “JAKE” JACOBS YI SUN KIM Rose, Snyder & Jacobs G&B Law

As a certified public accountant, Jonathan “Jake” Jacobs specializes Yi Sun Kim, 39, is a partner with G&B Law and president of the in mergers, acquisitions and financing for middle-market companies, San Fernando Valley Bar Association. She practices in the areas working with his personal network of finance experts. Before joining of bankruptcy, business litigation and business transactions. his partners’ firm in Encino, Jacobs, 70, was in charge of the West Kim won the president’s award in September 2015 from the San Coast entrepreneurship practice and of the Warner Center office for Fernando Valley Bar Association; the William J. Lasarow award KPMG Peat Marwick. He is a former chairman of the United Way’s for pro bono service, also in 2015, from the Public Counsel and San Fernando Valley Region and served on the advisory board for the Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles; and the Women in David Nazarian College of Business at California State University – Business Rising Star award in 2013 from the Business Journal. Northridge. He serves on the Price Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at the Anderson School of Also, she was named a Southern California Rising Star from 2013 to 2016 by the Southern Management at UCLA. He also chairs the California Oncological Research Institute in Culver City California Super Lawyers Magazine. and is board Treasurer for Muse/Ique in Pasadena. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Any of the roads leading to a view of the entire Valley. It’s always FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. President Reagan’s core peaceful and calming. values and beliefs are timeless, and it was America at its best. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Down because it is coming to that stage of the market cycle. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: As long as we deal correctly with international issues, it should PASSION: Still looking for one that sticks. And the time to enjoy it. remain strong. PASSION: Sharing my good fortune and life lessons with others.

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COBY KING PEGI MATSUDA High Point Strategies Pegi Matsuda Consulting

Coby King, 58, is president and chief executive of High Point Pegi Matsuda, 64, opened Pegi Matsuda Consulting in Sherman Strategies, a long-time San Fernando Valley public affairs Oaks last year, the culmination of contacts and coalitions that she has firm specializing in strategic and crisis communications and built across several decades as a result of her civic and community governmental advocacy. He has been very active in the effort to engagement. Matsuda is or has been a board member for many of bring more transit to the San Fernando Valley, among other quality- the Valley’s best known organizations, including Valley Economic of-life issues in the Valley. King serves as a past chairman of the Development Center, Valley Industry and Commerce Association, Valley Industry and Commerce Association and currently is on its Valley Economic Alliance, Woodbury University, Valley Presbyterian executive committee; a member and past president of the state board Hospital, West Hills Hospital and the Fernando Foundation. She was that oversees professional engineers, land surveyors and geologists; president of a board that named Woman of the Year in 2013 by the 42nd Assembly District, among other honors. Matsuda reimburses consumers that have been cheated by car dealers; and in leadership positions with the was president and publisher of the Business Journal from 1999 through 2012, then began serving as California Democratic Party and Sierra Club. foundation president at Valley Presbyterian Hospital before segueing into her consulting practice. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Saddle Peak Lodge. I love the sophisticated food and drink, the rustic FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Beeman Park in Studio City. lodge atmosphere, and the setting in the . ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Modest improvement because small business opportunities for ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I’m hoping about the same, because it’s been pretty good. women entrepreneurs seem to be on the uptick. PASSION: I’m a peakbagger, meaning I climb mountains on lists. For instance, I’ve been to the PASSION: My two Shelties: Ernie and Kacie. highest point of 56 of California’s 58 counties.

BRENT REINKE STEPHEN LANDSMAN Musick Peeler & Garrett Squar Milnar Brent Reinke, 58, is a business lawyer in the Westlake Village office Stephen Landsman is a certified public accountant and partner with of Musick Peeler & Garrett. His practice emphasizes mergers and Squar Milnar. Landsman has 20 years of experience in tax planning acquisitions, venture capital, advising emerging growth companies and compliance and specializes in tax structuring for real estate and their executive management teams and entrepreneurs on critical entities. He joined Squar Milnar in 2011 and became partner in growth issues. He is a co-founder and director of the consumer 2013. In 2012, he was selected by the Business Journal as one of the hydration brand Vapur. He and the Business Journal co-produce the Valley Area’s Most Trusted Advisors. Prior to joining Squar Milnar, Gold Coast Executive Forum, which is a series of invitation-only Landsman was a senior manager in the accounting department at events for C-level executives in the Valley area. He is also founder White, Zuckerman, Warsavsky, Luna, Wolf & Hunt. and chairman of the Bioscience Alliance, a non-profit that provides educational and networking events for life science companies along the 101 Corridor. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Encino Little League where I am a manager for 6 to 8 year olds. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: About the same. There is an unusual combination of uncertainty Sycamore Canyon in Newbury Park. It’s a beautiful place to hike and regarding tariffs, immigration and other policy issues under the current administration along with mountain bike. a pro-business, low tax viewpoint. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Roughly same or slightly down. Generally still good economic PASSION: Spending time with family and supporting various nonprofits including Girl Scouts, indicators Fit 4 The Cause and youth sports. PASSION: Outdoor activities. Entrepreneurship, particularly creating new products.

JONATHAN FRASER LIGHT ROBERT RODINE LightGabler The Polaris Group

With over 30 years of experience representing employers, Jonathan Robert Rodine’s consulting practice, the Polaris Group, performs Fraser Light provides day-to-day legal advice, in-house employer economic impact analyses, creates financial models, does business training programs, and litigation services to companies of all sizes planning and conducts transactional analyses. He has particular to reduce liability and protect against lawsuits. He also speaks experience in transportation, especially aviation and the Van Nuys before business and employer groups on such topics as harassment Airport. Business organization involvement includes 11 years as a avoidance, supervisor training, human resources best practices and board member of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association and the latest employment law issues. He has received the highest “AV” 10 years as chairman or co-chair of VICA’s Aviation Committee. He rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been a peer-nominated is a founding member of the Valley Economic Alliance and former “Super Lawyer” for more than a decade. co-chair of the Livable Communities Council. He served as president of the Valley International Trade Association for nine years. Rodine served as a Mayor appointee to the Van FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Restaurants on the 101 Corridor. There’s a bunch of great ones! Nuys Airport Citizens Advisory Council. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: About the same. But finding workers is going to be the challenge. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: An active cyclist heretofore, all the Valley streets have been a fabulous PASSION: Movies and travel and food. Saw 45 movies in theaters last year! playground. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up! The heart of the economy is powered by businesspeople driven to achieve success. JOHN LOCKHART PASSION: Cycling, what else! People Media

John Lockhart, 60, is president of People Media Worldwide Inc. in Westlake Village. People Media manages strategic communications RICHARD ROSENBERG for several emerging and established organizations. People Media Ballard Rosenberg Golper & Savitt also produces the CFO Focus series, and quarterly Icons of L.A. and InfoDines to recognize local business and civic leaders. Lockhart Richard Rosenberg, 66, is a partner in the Encino law firm of serves on the board of the Association for Corporate Growth 101 and Ballard Rosenberg Golper & Savitt. The firm exclusively represents the advisory board for Start Up Kids, teaching entrepreneurial skills employers, and Rosenberg has spent his career assisting management to elementary school children. with workplace issues. He has been on the list of Southern California Super Lawyers every year since its inception and on the list of Best FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Lakeside Café in Encino. Food and service are great. It is a good Lawyers in America since 2009. He has lectured for bar associations, getaway place for lunch or happy hour. trade organizations and management groups throughout the United ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up a bit, continued chaos from Trump helps drive businesses to States and has delivered workplace law training and dispute prevention spend, grow now. seminars to lawyers, human resources professionals and executives. He also has published more PASSION: Horses and horseback riding at ranch in Ventura County. than 75 articles and legal commentaries in numerous trade publications and legal journals. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Driving on Mulholland Drive at dusk. The twinkling lights are so beautiful, and everything looks so peaceful. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I see it as going up since all the fundamentals for continued growth are there. PASSION: Golfing.

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BRAD ROSENHEIM JOHN SHAFFERY Rosenheim & Associates Poole & Shaffery

Brad Rosenheim, 59, is president and chief executive of Rosenheim John Shaffery, a founding partner of Poole & Shaffery in Santa & Associates, a Woodland Hills consulting firm that specializes Clarita, has more than 25 years of trial experience. He holds an AV in land-use entitlements and planning, permit processing and Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which is awarded to clearances. Among his many affiliations, Rosenheim founded the attorneys for the highest level of professional excellence. A past chair West Valley Boys and Girls Club in 1992, serving as its first board of the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, he continues chair; was chairman of the governing board of the Warner Center to advocate for the business community as a founding member Children’s Corner, which he helped to create in 1993, and was and current executive board member of the Santa Clarita Valley president of the Fernando Award Foundation. He was recognized by Economic Development Corp. Last year he was honored for his work the Woodland Hills-Tarzana Chamber of Commerce for his community service as the recipient mentoring entrepreneurs in the Santa Clarita Business Incubator program. of the 2008 Joseph Staller Award. Currently, Rosenheim is first vice chair and is on the executive committee of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, and he won that organization’s FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: LeChene. annual Harmon Ballin Award for community service in 2013. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I’m optimistic about the economy, especially in our region. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The VICA office because I see friends there and we get a lot done! PASSION: I think having balance in your life is incredibly important. So, while I take pride in working hard for the success of our firm and our clients, I also cherish the opportunities I have to ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Absent something unforeseen, I suspect it might be a bit down spend time with my family, to travel together and experience new things together. next year. PASSION: Other than being passionate about my family, friends, animals and work, I enjoy watching the Dodgers, volunteering and reading. TERESA TODD Point of View Communications ROBERT L. SCOTT Teresa Todd is a marketing and communications expert with 30 Mulholland Institute years of experience. She is the founder of award-winning PR agency Point of View Communications in Santa Clarita and served as an Robert L. Scott, 73, has served as the executive director of the adjunct professor of public relations graduate studies at USC. She Mulholland Institute since 1990. Scott is also president of the Los is chair of the Valley Industry Association, and she is on several Angeles City Planning Commission, a board member of the Los boards, including Carousel Ranch. She also served a two-year term Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and chairman emeritus of the as president of the American Advertising Federation’s Los Angeles Valley Economic Alliance, which he helped to found. He has 35 years branch. Earlier this year, she won the Volunteer of the Year award at of experience practicing law in California. He has helped author city the Business Journal’s Women’s Council event. plans and policies including charter reform. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Carousel Ranch in Agua Dulce for its breathtaking views, open spaces, FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Cultural and historic assets that contribute to the Valley’s rich and equestrian inhabitants. heritage—helping us to plan thoughtfully for the future. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: A trusted colleague once told me that the third year of a president’s ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I expect some softening, only because the economy continues to first term is historically a strong economy. Cheers to history repeating itself! improve, and historically all markets are subject to periodic corrections. PASSION: I’m in my happy place most often when helping others. PASSION: Reading about, and more importantly, understanding the world we live in.

We congratulate all the leaders in the Valley 200. Thanks to them, our economy is stronger and our community is better!

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MADELYN ALFANO FREDERICK C. BEDDINGFIELD III Maria’s Italian Kitchen Sienna Biopharmaceuticals Inc. Madelyn Alfano, owner of Maria’s Italian Kitchen in Van Nuys, Frederick C. Beddingfield III, Ph.D., is founder, president, chief opened the first Maria’s restaurant in Sherman Oaks in 1985 and executive and member of the board of Sienna Biopharmaceuticals Inc. has since expanded the franchise to 11 locations, several of which of Westlake Village. He started Sienna in 2016 and took the company are in the Valley area. Alfano is very involved with organizations, public in 2017. He’s a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic serving as vice chair of the California Restaurant Association and surgeon. Previously, Beddingfield served as chief medical officer of foundation chair for the National Association of Women Business Kythera Biopharmaceuticals from March 2013 until it was acquired Owners - Los Angeles. She also sits on the Board of Advisors for by Allergan in 2015, and he worked at Allergan from 2003 to 2013. the UCLA Anderson Business School. Alfano was awarded a Valley He is a clinical associate professor of medicine/dermatology at the of the Stars award last year by the Valley Economic Alliance and was named by the Los Angeles UCLA School of Medicine; serves on the board of Advancing Innovation in Dermatology; and is Business Journal as the most influential businesswoman of 2017. founder of the Dermatology Summit and Dermatology Entrepreneurship Conferences. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Woodley Park and the Japanese gardens is a blessing to our Valley. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up, but I am concerned that small businesses will be challenged to survive and thrive due to escalating costs in rent, labor and legislation. PAMELA BERG PASSION: People. I love to mentor hungry entrepreneurial minds and assist businesses in need of MP Printing & Mailing thoughtful coaching. The co-owner and president of MP Printing & Mailing in Panorama City, Pamela Berg has a long record of service with the Valley Industry and Commerce Association. Berg, 67, chairs VICA’s membership MICHAEL ARCHER committee, serves on the executive board and won the organization’s ERP Power President’s Award this year. She and husband Kevin have built MP into a company named as one of the top 100 small printing companies Michael Archer, 59, is co-founder and chief technology officer of in the country by the National Association of Print Leadership. In ERP Power in Moorpark. Established in 2004, ERP designs and November, she qualified as one of 100 volunteers who traveled to manufactures energy-efficient LED electronics for commercial and Washington, D.C. to help decorate the White House for the holiday season. industrial lighting applications. The company last month announced its acquisition of Lumenetix Inc., a specialty lighting company. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Balboa Park. It has great walking and running paths around the lake Prior to founding ERP, Archer started EOS Corp. in 1991. EOS and park. was a design and manufacturing company building products for the ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Down – we can’t keep going at the current rate with the deficit. computer industry. During his decade at EOS, Archer grew it from PASSION: Interior decorating. inception to $35 million, ultimately selling it in 2001. The company was responsible for many of the standard power supply packages used in the computer industry today and serviced Apple, Dell, HP, and Texas Instruments. Early in his career, Archer was senior scientist for Power One, developing the advanced power technologies used in many industrial applications. BEAU BOECKMANN Galpin Motors

Beau Boeckmann, 49, is president of Galpin Motors, a Van Nuys MARTHA DIAZ ASZKENAZY auto dealership group owned by his father, Bert Boeckmann. The Aszkenazy Development group includes dealerships for Ford, Lincoln, Honda, Volkswagen, San Fernando Valley Sun and El Sol Newspaper Subaru and several others. Boeckmann has worked in the family Martha Diaz Aszkenazy and her husband Severyn Aszkenazy business for more than 25 years. He performed a variety of jobs for own Aszkenazy Development in San Fernando along with the the company as a teenager, and, after graduating from the University San Fernando Valley Sun and El Sol Newspaper, a bilingual news of Southern California, worked full-time on the sales floor and in the operation that serves the entire San Fernando Valley. Martha service, finance and rental departments. He also serves on product Aszkenazy is chair of the board of Project GRAD Los Angeles committees for Ford Motor Co. He has served as a member of the National Lincoln Dealer Council. and is chair emeritus of the Valley Economic Alliance. She’s won FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Castle Park! I played there as a kid, now I play there with my kids! numerous awards over the years including the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Woman-Owned Business. She was named among the 25 Most Influential Leaders of ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up! I’m an optimist. (And maybe a little contrarian.) the San Fernando Valley by the Business Journal and was named Latina Entrepreneur of the Year PASSION: Cars, trucks, vans, automobiles, vehicles, hot rods, jalopies, etc. by the Latin Business Association, among other honors. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Malibu Canyon Creek was a favorite place to take the kids camping in the summer because of its proximity to creature comforts and natural beauty. BERT BOECKMANN ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I am concerned about the economy and hope that it will only be Galpin Motors slightly down a year from now. The trade war with China, continued levying of tariffs and the deep partisan division is what informs my outlook. Bert Boeckmann, 89, is the owner of Galpin Motors, an automotive group based in Van Nuys. He began his career selling automobiles PASSION: Gardening is my favorite thing to do. Being outdoors and touching the earth is relaxing at Galpin Ford in 1953. By age 26, he was promoted to General and caring for plants and seeing them bloom is very gratifying. Manager. He began a buyout of the company in 1960 when he was vice president, purchasing Galpin stock with his earnings. He was majority stockholder by the time he was named president in 1964, and achieved sole ownership of the dealership four years later. Today, EDWARD G. ATSINGER III Galpin Motors is one of the most successful automotive groups in Salem Media Group the country, and Galpin has been No. 1 Ford dealer in the world for 29 consecutive years. Among Edward G. Atsinger III is chief executive and a board member of other honors, he was Time Magazine’s National Quality Dealer and got the Distinguished Service Salem Media Group in Camarillo, known for its conservative, Citation from the National Automobile Dealers Association. He was inducted into the Automotive Christian and family-themed content. Salem owns 116 radio Hall of Fame and Galpin was the first to be inducted into the Top Volume Ford Dealer Hall of Fame. stations in 39 markets. In addition, the company owns Salem Radio He was awarded the Presidential Citation for Private Sectors Initiative (the nation’s highest award Network, which syndicates talk, news and music programming to for entrepreneurs) and the renowned Horatio Alger Award. Boeckmann has long contributed to the approximately 3,200 affiliates; Salem Media Representative, a radio community in a variety of ways, and he was Police Commissioner of Los Angeles nearly 17 years. advertising company; Salem Web Network, an internet provider of FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: At 8 years of age, fishing in the stream that now runs into Hansen Dam Christian content and online streaming with more than 100 Christian – very fond memories. content and conservative opinion websites; and Salem Publishing, a publisher of conservative and Christian books and magazines. Atsinger co-founded the company with his brother-in-law in the ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Hoping for continued economic growth in 2019 - with no recession early 1970s and has been involved in the ownership and operation of radio stations since 1969. He is on the horizon. on the board of the National Religious Broadcasters and Oaks Christian School in Thousand Oaks PASSION: Playing cards nightly with my lovely wife, Jane, and spending time with my growing and is chair of the Radio Music License Committee. family. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The Ronald Reagan Library where Salem hosts numerous informative and entertaining events. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I think the economy will continue to be strong through 2020. PASSION: I am an avid bicycle rider on country roads in the area.

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KARL BOECKMANN MICHAEL CASTAGNA Galpin Motors MannKind Corp.

Karl Boeckmann is vice president of Galpin Motors, the family- Michael Castagna, 42, is the chief executive and a director of owned group of car dealerships based in North Hills that sells MannKind Corp. in Westlake Village. The company makes an vehicles from Ford, Lincoln, Mazda, Volvo, Jaguar and Aston inhalable insulin called Afrezza and develops products for orphan Martin, among other brands, and operates Galpin Auto Sports, a lung diseases. Castagna, who holds a PharmD degree, has over 20 customizing and aftermarket retail venue. Boeckmann was born and years of experience in health care, pharmaceutical, biotech and raised in Glendale and is a graduate of Glendale College and USC. specialty pharmacy industries. He has proven pre-launch and launch His charitable contributions to the community include serving on experience on over 20 brands. He’s known as a disciplined leader the boards of Goodwill, New Directions for Youth, Pierce College, with a personal commitment to developing people. Diabetes Association, Fernando Award Foundation and Providence Tarzana Hospital. Boeckmann also is a founding director for the LAPD Valley Foundation. He is a recipient of the Ellis Island FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Any of the car shows because the variety of what you can see. Medal of Honor, One Generation Hearts Across the Valley award, Philanthropist of the Year and ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Down, debt is high, housing is slowing and the market is due. the Fernando Award for outstanding community leadership and service. PASSION: Kids, travel and fixing the challenges people face with diabetes. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Balboa Park. Has golf, tennis, basketball, soccer, baseball, walking and running paths, and the artificial lake for bird watching, etc. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Unfortunately, down due to the number of costs associated with ALAN COMINS our community. Cost of living, housing prices, taxes, utility costs, taxes, and by the way did I Green Polishing Solutions mention taxes (many unseen)? Premier Carpet HOBBY: Working with people in our auto business. Alan Comins, 57, is the founder of Green Polishing Solutions in PASSION: Working with the charities within our community. Traveling with my wife of 40 years. Chatsworth. The company installs polished concrete flooring and can pour new concrete or polish existing slabs. It has worked with retail centers, showrooms, condominium lobbies, high schools and other large spaces. Comins has a background as a CPA and controller ROBERT BRADWAY and served as chief financial officer at Floormart in Glendale and Amgen was later a principal and co-owner of Carpetland in Beverly Hills. In 2001, he launched Premier Carpet in Chatsworth, and it is still there today. In 2008, he founded Robert Bradway, 56, became chairman of Amgen in January 2013 Green Polishing Solutions. He is a lifelong San Fernando Valley resident, and he is active in the and chief executive in May 2012, and served as the company’s American Society of Concrete Contractors. president and chief operating officer from May 2010 to May 2012. Bradway joined Amgen, the biotech giant in Thousand Oaks, in 2006 FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Once a month, I love to visit Nabu Winery to see the Acoustic Saints, as vice president of Operations Strategy, and served as executive L.A.’s best classic rock acoustic band. vice president and chief financial officer from April 2007 to May ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: 2010. Previously, he was a managing director at Morgan Stanley in Unfortunately, at least somewhat down. The GDP will slow next London. Bradway has been a director of the Boeing Co.; a trustee of year, due in part to trade wars, the now-record long expansion, the steep rise in national debt, and the University of Southern California; on the advisory board of the Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for the predicted rise in interest rates. However, with low unemployment and money on the sidelines, Health Policy and Economics, and chairman of the non-profit CEO Roundtable on Cancer. we will still have a strong economy. PASSION: Short board surfing; playing and collecting guitars.

STEVEN BRONSON BKF Capital Group Inc. MARK DAVIS Interlink Electronics Inc. Sun Hill Properties Inc. Qualstar Corp. Mark Davis is chief executive of Sun Hill Properties Inc., which Steven N. Bronson, 53, has more than 35 years of business and operates the largest hotel in the Valley area, the Hilton Los Angeles entrepreneurial experience. His background in investment banking, Universal City. Sun Hill, based in Universal City, also operates the operations and management has led him to acquire meaningful stakes Courtyard by Marriott Ventura/Simi Valley. Davis has worked in in several technology companies and assuming top roles in them. He the hospitality industry for more than four decades, and specializes became the chief executive and chairman of Westlake Village-based in helping companies with strategic financial performance, market Interlink Electronics Inc. in 2010. In 2013, Bronson became president share penetration and team development. He serves on the boards and CEO of Simi Valley-based Qualstar Corp., a high-quality tape library manufacturer, and its of the Los Angeles Hotel Lodging Association, Valley Industry and subsidiary N2Power, a manufacturer of high efficiency power supplies for diverse electronics Commerce Association and Los Angeles Convention and Tourism. industries. He immediately initiated a turnaround strategy that led the company to profitability. He also has served as chairman and chief executive of BKF Capital Group Inc. in Westlake Village since October 2008. KEVIN DEMOFF FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Boating on Lake Sherwood. Peaceful and beautiful scenery! Los Angeles Rams ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Down. Geopolitical uncertainty and tariffs. Kevin Demoff, 42, is the chief operating officer and executive vice PASSION: Travel, health and fitness! president of football operations with the Los Angeles Rams, working in the team’s Agoura Hills headquarters. He is the team’s top front- office executive and liaison to the owner, Stan Kroenke. After serving on the group that helped return the Rams to Los Angeles, Demoff is CURT CASTAGNA playing a significant role in the design and construction of the Rams’ Aeroplex/Aerolease Group 298-acre sports and entertainment district in Inglewood. Demoff and Curt Castagna, 55, president and chief executive of the Aeroplex/ the Rams helped lead a regional effort to bring the Super Bowl to the Aerolease Group, which includes general aviation and business new L.A. Stadium, which will be played in 2022, and he worked with the Olympic Bid Committee aircraft centers at the Van Nuys and Long Beach airports, and airport to help deliver the Olympic Games to Los Angeles. Demoff serves on the board of the United Way consulting services provided internationally. He’s a director of the of Greater Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission and Los Angeles National Air Transportation Association, a commissioner overseeing Sports Council and he is part of the American Cancer Society’s CEOs Against Cancer group. the five Los Angeles County airports, and is a certified member of FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Bellwether. The best fries in the Valley. the American Association of Airport Executives. Castagna also has more than two decades of experience as an adjunct professor, ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Way up because of our new stadium in Inglewood! teaching various classes in the Aviation Administration Bachelor of Arts program at California PASSION: Cooking...if I was ever home on time to make dinner State University - Los Angeles. He’s a certified private and instrument-rated pilot. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: . It’s got energy, brings business to the region and airplanes are cool ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Slightly up. California continues to challenge the ability for business investment. Taxes, work force, homeless and housing are key issues. PASSION: Flying. It’s three dimensional. One can escape the bonds of traffic and cloud hop or go on a coastal tour. It brings serenity.

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SKYLER DITCHFIELD JENNIFER FREUND GeoLinks Corporate ImpressionsLA

Skyler Ditchfield, 37, founded Camarillo-based telecommunications Jennifer Freund is founder, president and chief executive of Corporate service provider GeoLinks in 2011 alongside his cousin, Ryan Hauf. In ImpressionsLA, a commercial print services firm in North Hollywood. May he was appointed to the Federal Communications Commission’s In 2009, she also acquired DoradoPkg and merged the companies. Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee. He is or has been on Freund built two divisions: ImpressionsLA, which remained a the FCC Advisory Board for Wireless Internet Service Providers dedicated business printer; and Dorado Music Packaging, which Association; the Schools, Hospitals and Libraries Broadband specializes in the resurgence of vinyl by producing LP record jackets, Coalition’s committees for strategic advisory and fundraising and box sets and CD packaging. Freund has spoken about the Power of the Forbes Los Angeles Business Council. He has been recognized as Print at events for the Grammy Museum, SXSW Music Convention, “Entrepreneur of the Year” last year by the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce and a “Top Innovator Skirball Museum and more. She is on the board of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association. in Diversity and Inclusion” by Mogul, a social networking platform for women. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Love going to Brent’s Deli with my wife and daughter. Best food and selection! NAJEEB GHAURI ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up. Corporate tax benefits up, money coming back from overseas! Netsol Technologies PASSION: My wife and daughter are No. 1, then health, weightlifting and fast cars. Najeeb Ghauri is founder, chairman and chief executive of Netsol Technologies Inc. The Calabasas company provides global business services and enterprise application products to private and public sector organizations worldwide. Ghauri was responsible ROSS E. DUEBER for restructuring the company’s business model into that of an ZPower IT company and was instrumental in completing the NetSol Technologies IPO in 1998. Ross E. Dueber, Ph.D., is president and chief executive of ZPower in Camarillo. The 59-year-old has led the company in pioneering FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The Commons in Calabasas. Nice restaurants, theaters, nice walk from the development of silver-zinc battery chemistry for microbattery office, relaxing, calm. applications. ZPower was ranked No. 82 on Inc. Magazine’s 2018 Top ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies List and was also awarded Down due to longest expansion since 2010, trade and tariffs the 2018 Stevie Award for Employer of the Year – Manufacturing. uncertainty, inflationary signs. ZPower was named Business of the Year by Camarillo Chamber PASSION: My business, travel, philanthropy, quality time with family, regular exercise in gym. of Commerce in 2018, and it was ranked No. 1 on the Business Journal’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies List, among other honors. During his career, Dueber has participated in defining battery and energy storage strategies for many of the world’s top organizations, including the U.S. Air Force, Department of Defense, Department of Energy and HORACE HEIDT NASA. He has worked with such companies as Ford, United Technologies and Dow Chemical on Horace Heidt Agency battery and fuel cell development. Early in his career, he was an associate professor and director Horace Heidt Productions of analytical chemistry at the U.S. Air Force Academy where he was named an “Outstanding Horace Heidt has two companies: Horace Heidt Agency, which Academy Educator.” operates a 220-unit apartment complex with a Hawaiian theme in FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Santa Monica Mountain trails adjacent to my home – beautiful and Sherman Oaks, and Horace Heidt Productions, a firm that books peaceful. bands for corporate and private events. From 1982 to 1994, he was musical director for the Los Angeles Raiders and in 1985 played at ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up, definitely; rapid pace of innovation drives my optimism. the augural ball of President Ronald Reagan. In the past he served PASSION: Breaking 80 for 18 holes. at the Universal City, North Hollywood, Sherman Oaks and Encino chambers. Heidt has served as co-chairman at the United Chambers of Commerce San Fernando Valley Region. In 2008, he founded the Horace Heidt Big Band Foundation, which produces the Concerts in the Park program in Warner Center and the syndicated radio show “America Swings.” CHAD FAULKNER He was a winner of the Justice Armand Arabian Leaders in Public Service Awards in 2017. Mamba Sports Academy

Chad Faulkner, 51, founded and operated the Sports Academy, a 96,000 square foot athletic training center in Thousand Oaks. In the ROBERT A. IGER past year, he took on former Lakers player Kobe Bryant as a partner, Walt Disney Co. renaming the facility Mamba Sports Academy. It offers specialized fitness programs, coaching and medical services. Faulkner also Robert Iger, 68, is chairman and chief executive the Walt Disney Co. co-founded Riverside-based financial services firm Curo Financial of Burbank, the world’s largest media company and purveyor of some Technologies Corp., where he serves as chief operating officer. He of the most respected brands around the globe. His strategic vision for has served on the boards of charitable foundations including the Disney focuses on three fundamental pillars: generating the best creative Snyder Legacy Fellowship, which provides leadership development opportunities to students at content possible, fostering innovation and technology, and expanding Kansas State University; and the Special Forces Charitable Trust, which offers support to U.S. into new markets around the world. Iger led Disney’s acquisitions of Army Special Forces members. Pixar (2006), Marvel (2009), and Lucasfilm (2012), and the openings of Disney’s theme parks in China. He has been named one of Fortune magazine’s “25 Most Powerful People in Business” (2006, 2007); one of the “Top Gun CEOs” by Forbes magazine (2009); one of the “Best CEOs” by Institutional Investor magazine (2008, 2009, CHERI FLEMING 2010, 2011); MarketWatch CEO of the Year (2006); and “CEO of the Year” by Chief Executive (2014). Valencia Acura

Cheri Fleming, 67, and her husband, Don, purchased Valencia Acura in 1997. The store is now one of the highest-ranking customer TONY KNOPP satisfaction dealerships in the country. Sales penetration in their TicketManager primary market area and customer loyalty ranks among the highest in the nation. Fleming is a longtime leader in Soroptimist International Tony Knopp is co-founder and chief executive of TicketManager in and the Child and Family Center. She is a director of Henry Mayo Calabasas. The company offers web and mobile products that help Newhall Hospital and chairs the hospital’s cultivation and awareness companies manage client entertainment, such as creating events, committee to help build a new patient tower. Fleming has won more inviting guests, registering and checking-in customers and reporting than a dozen awards including several “Woman of the Year” honors from different organizations on the effectiveness of each event in real-time. Knopp is an advisor and this year was awarded the “Silver Spur Award for Community Service” by College of the to Techstars Sports Accelerator, founded the TicketManager Partner Canyons Foundation. She won the Volunteer of the Year Award at the Business Journal’s Women Summit, is on the board of multiple sports tech start-ups and serves in Business event last year because of her considerable civic and community activities. his local church and community. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Acura sponsors great entertainment at the Hollywood Bowl during the FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: I often joke I’ve never lived east of the 5 Freeway and that’s due to the summer, and I love the immersive experience. beach. If you need me on the weekend, you can find me either surfing in Malibu or playing the ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I am known as being positive and optimistic. I predict an uptick at back nine at Calabasas Country Club. our car dealership and hope everyone follows! ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: About the same. There is too much money sloshing around looking PASSION: I have a passion for volunteering. to invest, and that will continue to postpone the natural cyclical recession we’re overdue for. PASSION: I love complicated and difficult things so it’s no real surprise my favorite hobbies are surfing, playing golf and practicing jiu-jitsu.

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CLAY LACY FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: On occasion, I like to take a cruise down Ventura Boulevard all the way Clay Lacy Aviation from Studio City to Woodland Hills. Lots going on and forever changing and evolving. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Being in the event business and because most larger events are Clay Lacy, 86, is founder and chairman at Clay Lacy Aviation, one of planned ahead of time, we see lots going on towards the end of this year and spilling over into the first jet charter and executive jet management companies on the next. If we can keep it the same as this year, we’d be happy and if it’s up, happier! West Coast. It is headquartered at Van Nuys Airport. He has flown more than 300 aircraft types, logged more than 50,000 flight hours PASSION: I’d like to say something different, but truly, I love my business and everything we do. and accumulated more miles flying jet aircraft than almost anyone. Every day is different. No two are the same! In 2010, the Federal Aviation Administration presented Lacy with a Wright Brothers Master Pilot Certificate in recognition of his aviation expertise and safe operations for more than 50 years. The same year, he was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame for his achievements as an air pioneer. JOHN MAIER This year, Lacy also received the Aircraft Owner and Pilot’s Association’s top honor, the R.A. Blue Microphones “Bob” Hoover Trophy, for his contributions to aviation, support of young people and inspiration to John Maier, 55, is chief executive of Westlake Village-based Blue pilots. Lacy also helped pioneer development of the Astrovision camera system, which was used to Microphones, which designs microphones and headphones. Before film such movies such as “Flight of the Intruders,” “The Great Santini,” “Armageddon” and “Top joining the company, Maier was chief executive of audio equipment Gun.” distributor TC Group Americas Inc., where he helped the Danish FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Van Nuys Airport, because that’s where all the action is. company build its presence in North America. Prior to TC, Maier held several leadership positions in the audio industry, including at ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Continued slow growth. Economic conditions in the U.S. are good. Alesis, Guitar Center and Sound Marketing. Throughout his career, PASSION: Aviation! he has served as a board member or advisor to many companies and nonprofits. Besides Blue Microphones, he currently sits on the boards of Loud Audio (Mackie); In The Band, a non-profit that brings music programs to schools and communities, and PAMA, the Pro Audio Manufacturer’s Alliance. ISAAC LARIAN MGA Entertainment FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Maggiano’s restaurant. It’s a chain but started in Chicago, where I’m from, so holds a special place for us. Isaac Larian, 65, founded MGA Entertainment in 1979 and built it into ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Down. The longest expansion in memory will have to end the largest private toy company in the world. In 2001 MGA launched sometime. the Bratz line of dolls that revolutionized industry. In 2006, the company acquired the brand Little Tikes, diversifying into toys PASSION: I’m a musician – a drummer from a very young age and still playing! for younger children. Prior to founding MGA, Larian imported textiles and brassware through his own mail-order company. He was the national winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2007 and the local winner in 2004. He arrived in the United TOM MANZO States at age 17 with $750 and put himself through California State University - Los Angeles on a Timely Prefinished Steel Door Frames dishwasher’s wages; he was awarded the school’s Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2005. He has California Business and Industrial Alliance been active in several charitable foundations that focus on helping children and families including LeBron James Family Foundation, City of Hope and the Hope Foundation, among others. Tom Manzo, 51, is president of Timely Prefinished Steel Door Frames in Pacoima. Two years ago, he started an organization FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The new MGA headquarters in Chatsworth. It is a state-of-the-art work, called the California Business and Industrial Alliance, or CABIA, to live, play campus. The best in Southern California. fight the state’s Private Attorney General Act law after his business ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Down. The trade wars and tariffs are going to kill this economy. was snagged by the law. The company employs close to 200 and Prices will go up by 7-10 percent. manufactures fire-rated door frames, sidelights, pocket door frames and the like. Manzo was born in Detroit and joined Timely more than 15 years ago, working his PASSION: Playing and traveling with my grandson! way up from product manager. Previously, he worked with a supplier to the Big Three automotive companies and ran his own business supplying repair services to suppliers. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: My in-laws’ house. It is always great to be with family. LEN LINTON ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I think the economy in California will slow. One major impact is ViaSource Solutions the increase in payroll due to minimum wage increases along with the most expensive workers Len Linton, 74, is chief financial officer of ViaSource Solutions in compensation rates in the nation. Lawsuits by way of the Private Attorney General Act are costing Thousand Oaks. He is the former chief executive of 1NWContact, employers millions. Recently, Social Security sent out no-match letters and many employers lost also in Thousand Oaks. Previously, he was founder and president and good employees over this. It appears sanctuary status only works for the criminals and not the CEO of Byron Leonard International, a retained executive search good, hard-working immigrants who losing their jobs every day. firm. He recently became chair of the California Museum of Art at PASSION: To overturn a law, the Private Attorney General Act, that the wealthiest trial attorneys Thousand Oaks, or CMATO, and formerly was treasurer. Linton was have been using as a weapon against good business owners to extort money from them. on the board of the New West Symphony for several years, where he served as chair for 3 years; he was a director, treasurer and past president of the Wellness Community, and he was a director and past president of the Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise. He also served on the board of California Oaks State Bank from its SCOTT MILLS founding in 1998 to its sale in 2011. The Garland

FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts or Scott Mills, 46, is general manager of The Garland. He’s a second- Soraya. I love the performances, especially symphonies. generation hotelier with more than 25 years of hospitality experience who oversees all aspects of the iconic North Hollywood hotel. Since ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: About the same. joining in January 2013, Mills has led the rebrand and $20 million PASSION: Welding and arts/culture. renovation of The Garland, which resulted in in it being recognized among the top hotels by Condé Nast Traveler. Previously, he was vice president of hospitality operations for The Siegel Group in Las Vegas, and worked with the Viceroy Hotel Group as general manager RICHARD LOGUERCIO of the Avalon Beverly Hills. He spent 11 years with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Mills is on Town & Country Event Rentals the board of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, the Los Angeles Tourism Marketing District and the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board and the East Valley Family YMCA. Richard LoGuercio, 65, is owner and president of Town & Country Mills is also the recipient of the 2017 California Hotel and Lodging Association’s Outstanding Event Rentals in Van Nuys. He has more than 40 years of expe- General Manager of the Year award. rience in the industry and began his career working part time at a local United Rentals store. In 1978, LoGuercio co-founded Rentals FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Any golf course – love being outdoors, walking and enjoying the SoCal West, and then in 1981, launched Classic Party Rentals in Culver weather! Even if I’m a hack! City. He opened Town & Country Event Rentals in July 2005 in a ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: About the same. But there is uncertainty – potential to be down 61,000-square-foot facility in Van Nuys. Town & Country has since pending some current political maneuvers. Long positive run in the hospitality business, and at expanded into a 180,000-square-foot facility, opened additional some point the cycle will start over. stores in Pasadena and Santa Barbara and now employs more than 500 full time. LoGuercio also PASSION: is active in the California Business and Industrial Alliance, or CABIA, the Pacoima-based group Family, sports and wine! formed to fight the state’s Private Attorney General Act.

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STEVE NISSEN JOANN ROTH-OSEARY NBCUniversal Someone’s In The Kitchen

Steve Nissen, 68, is responsible for government affairs issues Joann Roth-Oseary, 73, is president of Someone’s In the Kitchen, a at NBCUniversal, including anti-piracy, intellectual property full service catering and event planning business, with 35 full-time protection, film and TV production incentives, land use and and 150 part-time employees. Within three weeks of baking apple government compliance. Nissen is past chair of the Los Angeles bread for friends 33 years ago, she managed to sell more than 750, Area Chamber of Commerce; an executive committee member of launching SITK into a household name. Roth-Oseary is on the board the Valley Industry and Commerce Association and the Los Angeles of the Valley-based California Business and Industrial Alliance and Economic Development Corp., and a board member of the Ralph M. has donated her time and professional services to the AIDS Project Parsons Foundation. Prior to joining NBCUniversal, Nissen was a Los Angeles, The Fred Jordan Mission, and Homeless USA. In 2009, partner in the national law firm of Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, representing a range of clients SITK was named the Best Catering Company by the Los Angeles Daily News and received the from Fortune 500 companies to nonprofit entities. From 1999 to 2002, he was a senior official in Lifetime Achievement Award by Special Event Magazine. the administration of Gov. Gray Davis and prior to that was chief executive of the State Bar of California and Public Counsel Law Center. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The lake at Balboa Park. It is filled with the locals all enjoying the day. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: We have had a great year and I do not anticipate any FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Nata’s Pastries and Portuguese Café. I like good breakfasts. I like Portugal. downturns. “It’s the economy!” ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Same. Should be cooking along, but policy unpredictability PASSION: I am truly passionate about my business and my grandchildren. For some added fun I diminishes potential gains. just took up tap dancing! PASSION: Golf. Travel. Music. When golf goes badly, I listen to more music.

JIM RULE CATHY ORQUIOLA Acorn Newspapers PCL Construction Jim Rule has been owner and publisher of Acorn Newspaper Inc. As vice president and district manager for PCL Construction in since 1996, when he and his wife Lisa purchased it in a bankruptcy Glendale, Cathy Orquiola oversees the company’s operations sale. The couple has since grown the company to five publications, throughout California. The company is now involved in building including editions for Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Moorpark and student housing at UCLA, the consolidated rental car facility at Simi Valley along with a lifestyle magazine. Jim Rule previously was Los Angeles International Airport, Kaiser Permanente’s School of the publisher of Baker Communications, which owned and operated Medicine in Pasadena and multiple projects at Universal Studios the Acorn newspaper along several other community publications for Hollywood, among others. Orquiola’s career spans 24 years in Beverly Hills, Palos Verdes and Orange County. He grew up in the the construction industry; she began as a project engineer and San Fernando Valley. Rule and his wife were the recipients of the California Press Foundation’s rose through the ranks to become vice president and operations manager for an international Justus F. Craemer Newspaper Executive of the Year Award for 2017. construction firm. She serves on the national board of the ACE Mentor program and is an active supporter of the Make a Wish Foundation. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Industrial Metal and Supply really gets the creative side of me going. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I believe the economy will continue to grow this year due to the ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: The economy is growing, especially in construction. Construction current momentum. is a dynamic, fun, incredibly rewarding industry. If you bring your authentic self to every table and every room, you can have tremendous success. HOBBY OR PASSION: Creating copper sculptures and artwork. PASSION: Giving back and mentoring others. LISA RULE JOHN M. PARKER Acorn Newspapers Parker Brown Inc. Lisa Rule has been owner and associate publisher of Acorn Newspaper Inc. since 1996, when she and her husband, Jim Rule, John M. Parker is owner, founding partner and the chief financial purchased it in a bankruptcy sale. The couple has since grown the officer of Parker Brown Inc., a leading construction company in the company to five publications, including editions for Thousand Oaks, San Fernando Valley. Parker also is a director of Mission Valley Bank Camarillo, Moorpark and Simi Valley. Also, Lisa Rule is publisher in Sun Valley and chairs its audit committee. He is a past president of Beyond the Acorn, a free quarterly lifestyle magazine that’s of the United Chambers of Commerce and is a past president of the distributed throughout Ventura County. Rule and her husband were Canoga Park/West Hills Chamber of Commerce. He also was president the recipients of the California Press Foundation’s Justus F. Craemer of the Canoga Park Improvement Association. Parker, an immigrant Newspaper Executive of the Year Award in 2017. She was named the “Community Advocate of from Ireland, helped start the annual St. Patrick’s Day March through the Year” in 2016 by the Ventura County chapter of the National Association of Women Business Canoga Park. Along with other duties, he is a commissioner of the Los Angeles County Building Owners. and Rehabilitation Appeals Board as well as the Los Angeles City Innovation and Performance Commission. He also serves on the management board of the Valley Economic Alliance. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: We’ve discovered the fun of escape rooms now in the Valley. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: So many to choose from. Wood and Water restaurant on Ventura ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Based on the current mood of local advertisers, it will stay the same. Boulevard. YMCA in Porter Ranch. PASSION: Reading and meeting new people. I love hearing life journeys. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: About the same. We are in a good place with employment figures. Great time to start a career, especially for young people. PASSION: Sailing and Gardening. HARUT SASSOUNIAN The California Courier

Harut Sassounian is a publisher, columnist, TV commentator, LOUIS PERRY political analyst, author, documentary producer and human rights Kadima Security Services activist. Sassounian, 68, publishes The California Courier, an English-language Armenian newspaper in Glendale. It is known for Louis Perry, 58, is founder and owner of Kadima Security Services. his weekly columns, which are published in 200 other publications The Encino company provides security for high-profile individuals and websites. He is president of the Armenia Artsakh Fund, which such as politicians and former presidents, as well as security has sent $825 million of humanitarian aid to Armenia since 1989. He details. He is also security correspondent for local news outlets. As was also senior vice president of Kirk Kerkorian’s Lincy Foundation, an inspector for the California State Athletic Commission, he is a where he was in charge of $242 million of infrastructure projects in Armenia. He was a non- boxing official who often serves ringside. Perry served on Sylmar’s governmental human rights delegate to the United Nations from 1978 to 1988, playing a key Neighborhood Council. He is chairman of the Stevenson Ranch role in the recognition of the Armenian genocide by the U.N. in 1985. Sassounian worked as an Neighborhood Watch, diplomat of ABC Homeland Security and an international marketing executive for Procter & Gamble in Switzerland from 1978 to 1982. He is honorary member of the International Police Association. the author of “Armenian Genocide: The World Speaks Out,” and executive producer of the award- FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Jerry’s Famous Deli in Encino because I like the atmosphere and winning documentary: “Armenia: Bittersweet Freedom.” He is the recipient of the Ellis Island environment. Medal of Honor and speaks five languages. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: The economy will be up, but relationships between political FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The Castaway restaurant in Burbank. It has a superb view. parties, races, and hate crimes will be bad. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: It will be the same, unless Trump screws it up. PASSION: Spending time with and walking my dog, Maximus. PASSION: Watching world news on TV.

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ARLEEN SCAVONE MARSHALL D. (MARK) SMITH Sweet Arleen’s California Resources Corp.

Arleen Scavone, 60, is a banker turned baker. After four decades Mark Smith is Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial helping entrepreneurs and start-ups find success, in 2009 she founded Officer of California Resources Corp. He has over 35 years of OpExNow, a management consulting firm specializing in mortgage experience in all aspects of the energy industry. During 14 years of operations. After her sale of OpExNow, Scavone teamed up with corporate and investment banking with BMO Capital Markets, Smith Newbold Advisors to continue her service to financial services performed an advisory role to energy companies. He and his wife, clients nationwide. More famously, Scavone is the founder of Sweet Vicky, have actively supported the Muscular Dystrophy Association; Arleen’s gourmet cupcake bakery in Westlake Village and a three- he was appointed a national vice president for the organization and time champion on Food Network’s Cupcake Wars. She has since sold has served on the MDA board since 2014 and now serves on the Sweet Arleen’s but continues to advise the business on product and positioning while promoting executive committee and as chair of the audit committee. Smith was named Best CFO of the Year its brand. Scavone was named “Business Owner of the Year” this spring at the Business Journal’s for 2017 for a large public company by the Business Journal. Women’s Council awards. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The Reagan Library. An amazing place. I enjoy the serenity and the FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Tuscany il Ristorante. If I’m not in my kitchen then I want to be in reminder of the leadership stature and statesmanship of the presidency. Chef Tommaso’s! PASSION: I have a strong desire to use my skillset to help fund breakthrough research in health care. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up. The 2020 presidential campaign will drive bold change to differentiate candidates. PASSION: Creating experiences for family, friends and colleagues. MICHAEL SOBOLEWSKI Wet Design

Michael Sobolewski, 56, is chief operating officer of Wet Design in RUDI SCHREINER Sun Valley. The company makes water features worldwide, including AmaWaterways the volcano at the Mirage and Fountains at Bellagio in Las Vegas. Born in Austria, Rudi Schreiner began his career arranging student bus Sobolewski has more than 25 years of experience in the aerospace tours in Europe. Later, he pioneered the river cruise vacation industry and defense, medical device, industrial and consumer electronics after the Main-Danube Canal opened in 1992, making inland water industries. He’s been involved in sales and marketing, business travel feasible from Amsterdam to the Black Sea. In 2000, Schreiner, development, mergers and acquisitions, turnarounds, supply chain 67, started the U.S. office of Viking River Cruises in Woodland Hills, management and strategic planning. He has held leadership positions where he served as chief executive. In 2002, he and two partners at such companies as Sparton Corp., Celestica and Be Green Packaging. He has bachelor’s degrees launched Calabasas-based AmaWaterways; he is president and co- in aerospace engineering and mechanical engineering and an MBA. owner. The company has 23 ships in operation, cruising the rivers FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: I really love the entire Topanga corridor. The mix of people, business, of Europe (including the Rhine, Main Danube and Elbe rivers), Africa and Vietnam. Earlier this restaurants and shopping areas always keep me finding new places. year, the company launched the largest passenger ship to sail any river in Europe. Cruise Lines International Association presented Schreiner with its lifetime achievement award. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: About the same. There has been solid growth in many sectors which I believe will continue through 2020. PASSION: My family! We love traveling, mountain biking, golfing and fishing together as well as TODD SCHWARTZ other outdoor adventures. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Todd Schwartz, 53, is a former television producer who purchased the TODD STEVENS franchise rights to a Dickey’s Barbecue Pit restaurant in Northridge, California Resources Corp. which opened in July 2012. By the end of his first year in operation, he was elected to serve on National Franchise Owner’s board as Todd Stevens, 52, is president, chief executive and a director of their representative. He also was tapped to produce customizable California Resources Corp., the state’s largest independent oil and television commercials used nationwide and to head up a co-op natural gas producer, based in Chatsworth. Previously, Stevens advertising buying group for the 11 Southern California owners. worked for 20 years in various management positions at Occidental Schwartz is an active member of California Restaurant Association Petroleum Corp. He led most of Occidental’s growth initiatives and is vice president of Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Owners Association. In the community, he is on the including working on mergers and acquisitions. He is on a number board of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association and serves as co-chair of its Labor and of boards including these: American Red Cross Los Angeles Region, Employment Committee. Prior to buying the restaurant, Schwartz oversaw and produced television Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley, California Business programming at NBC, VH-1, History Channel and other outlets. Among the programs Schwartz Roundtable, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission oversaw: “,” “Unsolved Mysteries” and “Rock & Roll Jeopardy.” Advisory Board, Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp., Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Foundation, USC Marshall School of Business Corporate Advisory Board, USC Board of FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The Nethercutt Collection. Artistry, ingenuity, and history. Brilliant and Counselors, USC Viterbi School of Engineering Corporate Advisory Board, Val Pac (San Fernando engaging staff. Valley Business Political Action Committee) and the States Petroleum Association. He got ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Local economy could be down due to increased personal taxes and a master’s degree in business administration from USC and a bachelor of science degree from the wages. U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. PASSION: Family, food and friends (along with some gardening). FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Brent’s Deli. The pastrami is great. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: China trade deal: better. No trade deal: flat to down. PASSION: JANE SKEETER Collecting antique maps. UltraGlas Inc.

Jane Skeeter, 69, is chief executive and founder of UltraGlas Inc., JAN SWARTZ a Chatsworth-based manufacturer of customized glass surfacing. Princess Cruises Skeeter founded the company in 1987 to provide high-quality glass paneling for architects and designers. UltraGlas in 2017 was inducted Jan Swartz, 49, is president of Princess Cruises in Santa Clarita. She into the Valley Industry and Commerce Association’s Hall of Fame. has held that role since 2013, after serving more than 15 years in She is a consultant and lecturer and sits on the boards of the Woodbury senior leadership positions for the premium cruise line. Swartz also University School of Business, the Valley Economic Alliance, has served as group president of Carnival Australia since 2016. She VICA, the Boys and Girls Club of the West Valley and NAWBO-LA oversees seven brands operating in Australia, and she holds executive Foundation, among others, and she serves on the advisory board of Pierce Community College oversight of the P&O Cruises Australia brand. In addition, Swartz is Architecture Department. She received VICA’s Harmon Ballin Award, which honors a VICA president of the Princess Cruises Community Foundation, providing member for community service; she is a two-time Fernando Award finalist and she was appointed assistance to charitable organizations. She was named a Woman of to Mayor ’s Community Forest Advisory Committee. Distinction by the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles in 2015, and is a member of The Committee of 200, an invitation-only organization of the world’s most successful women business leaders. In FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Hiking trails at west terminus of Victory and Vanowen. Extraordinary 2018, Swartz was appointed to the board of MGM Resorts. She has served as the marketing chair vistas, wildlife, vegetation and sunsets! of the Cruise Lines International Association and was a member of the board of the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Hopefully up, due to elections, but I’m skeptical. PASSION: Boys and Girls Club of the West Valley. Impacts kids and families to improve lives forever. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The Old Town Junction in Newhall. Great food, ambience and fun! ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up. PASSION: Travel.

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THERESE TUCKER RANDY WITT BlackLine Randy Witt Productions

Therese Tucker, 58, founded BlackLine in 2001 and is the chair Randy Witt, owner of Randy Witt Productions in Sherman Oaks, is and chief executive. The Woodland Hills company, which in his third decade of helping clients communicate with video. His develops cloud-based accounting software, went public in portfolio includes television shows, commercials, corporate videos, October 2016. She designed the first offerings of the company’s live events, and award videos. He has worked with legends such as Dick products and engineered its transition to the cloud in 2007. She Clark and Steve Allen. He currently serves as Chairman of the Valley holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Mathematics Economic Alliance, an organization that engages and unites Valley from the University of Illinois. Tucker last year was named by stakeholders to raise standards of living and economic vitality across Forbes as one of America’s Top 50 Women in Tech. She won the CEO of the Year Award from the San Fernando Valley. Witt has also served on various boards and with community organizations. the Business Journal at what is now called the Women’s Council Awards in April 2017. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Anywhere in the mountains surrounding the Valley that has a great view. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Down, because in California most homeowners received a RONALD TUTOR substantial federal tax increase. PASSION: Tutor Perini Corp. Creating, which enables me to live life with passion, an adventurous journey.

Ronald Tutor, 78, has served as chief executive of Tutor Perini Corp. since March 2000, chairman since July 1999 and director ROBERT YALLEN since January 1997. The Sylmar company, which trades on InterMedia Group of Cos. the New York Stock Exchange, is a leading civil, building and specialty construction company that offers general contracting Robert Yallen started working in the family advertising business and design-build services to private clients and public agencies in 1981. He eventually became president and chief executive of the throughout the world. It built much of the Metro Red Line in Los Woodland Hills company, which developed a direct response TV Angeles and currently is working on the California High-Speed Rail project. Tutor is also a specialty. Yallen directs 12 integrated business units centered on member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Southern California. media, creative/production, marketing and entertainment service. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Can’t really speak to one favorite place to visit. He also is an entertainment attorney with expertise in structuring celebrity brand deals. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: The economy a year from now should definitely be up because I believe it’s up everywhere. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: I enjoy riding our horses with my beautiful cowgirl wife Linda in PASSION: My passion is travel and yachting. Ahmanson Ranch, a beautiful wildlife refuge and natural park which abuts our community. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: To me the material issue is that even after a downturn in our economy, which is inevitable, it should be short lived and nothing like what we experienced in the ADEL VILLALOBOS Great Recession of 2008-09. PASSION: Lief Labs I started racing cars competitively. As part of a race team I compete in a Formula Continental. I’m by far the oldest rookie ever but not the oldest guy out there! Adel Villalobos, 46, is founder and chief executive of Valencia- based Lief Labs, a manufacturer and product developer of dietary supplements. He got his degree in biochemistry and nutrition from California State University - Northridge. After college, he held a variety of positions at Natrol, a vitamin and supplement company in Chatsworth, where he was cross-trained in customer service, as a lab technician and in marketing, product development and legal services. He started his own company in 2008 with his varied expertise. Villalobos is a founding member of the Nutrition Industry Association, board member of the Supplement Safety and Business Strategy Compliance Initiative, and sponsor of Vitamin Angels and Heart of the Brain. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Restaurants down Ventura Boulevard: Studio City, Encino, North Marketing Campaigns Hollywood. Why? Great vibes and good food. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: The economy has flattened and I expect it to stay flat in Branding & Design 2020. I don’t see a bubble in the real estate market as long as interest rates climb slowly and methodically. PASSION: Being part of the growth and development of my 12-year-old daughter and 10-year- Digital & Print Assets old boy in all facets: sports, socially and school.

MICHAEL WILDING Hilton Woodland Hills / Los Angeles

Michael Wilding, 52, is the general manager at the Hilton Woodland Hills / Los Angeles hotel. A native of Austria, he graduated from the Hotel and Tourism College in Vienna and started his career with Hilton Hotels in Southern California where he worked at four properties, including the Hilton Anaheim and the Hilton Los Angeles Airport. In 2000 he became leader of the rooms division at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki, Hilton’s largest hotel. He eventually became the resident manager and in 2011 became general manager of the DoubleTree by Hilton Alana Waikiki. Active in the community, he won a Forty under 40 Award from the state of Hawaii for his achievements, leadership and commitment to the community. Wilding became general manager in Woodland Hills last year and has joined the board of the Warner Association. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: I enjoy the Village right here in Woodland Hills. It is beautifully done and has a great mix of restaurants and stores to hang out al fresco. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I believe we will have a strong economy for at least two years. It shows strong, stable, well-rounded performance throughout the nation and across many COWE CONSULTING industries. PASSION: I love to travel, explore and learn from all cultures and ways of life. That’s what got BUSINESS & BRAND DEVELOPMENT me into this business in the first place. 1-800-527-3646 coweconsulting.com [email protected]

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GERHARD APFELTHALER holds a Ph.D. in social work from Washington University in St. Louis and a master’s of social work California Lutheran University and a bachelor’s in American Studies, both from the University of Alabama. In March she was honored as Woman of the Year for California’s 18th Senate District. Gerhard Apfelthaler, 53, is the dean of the School of Management at FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. After starting his The Soraya Center for the Performing Arts. career at the University of Economics and Business Administration ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Hard to predict, but a university-prepared workforce is essential to in Vienna, Austria, he joined public service at the Austrian Federal the economy. Economic Chamber. He was appointed Deputy Austrian Trade PASSION: Reading, going to the movies and exercise. Commissioner to the United States in Los Angeles during the early and mid-1990s. In 1997, he was part of the founding team of a university in Austria. In 2000, Apfelthaler was appointed Commercial Attaché at the Austrian Embassy in Singapore, and he also built a boutique consulting firm specializing CHRIS KIMBALL in international market entry strategies. After joining California Lutheran University’s School California Lutheran University of Management in 2009 as professor of international business, he became dean of the school in 2013. He is also the co-founder of two pharmaceutical start-ups, Cure Pharmaceutical and Oak Chris Kimball has been president of California Lutheran University Therapeutics, and the non-profit Start-Up-Kids. He holds a doctorate in social and economic in Thousand Oaks since 2008. He helped support the university’s sciences and has published books and articles in academic journals and co-founded the European strategic plan as well as aided in bringing the Los Angeles Rams’ Journal of International Management. temporary headquarters to the school. He chairs the President’s Council for the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: I like Jazz, so I’ll go for Herb Alpert’s Vibrato. Conference. Locally he serves on several boards, including the ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Still about the same, although trade wars will start to hurt us in the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, Los Robles Hospital long run. and Medical Center and the President’s Council of the American Red Cross Ventura County, among others. He has been published in various journals and has lectured PASSION: Cheesy, but I am truly passionate about two things – my family and my work! on such topics as the history of baseball as well as trends in higher education.

MATTHEW FIENUP EDWARD KNUDSON California Lutheran University Antelope Valley College Matthew Fienup, Ph.D., is the executive director of the Center Edward Knudson, 66, has been president of Antelope Valley College for Economic Research and Forecasting at California Lutheran since June 2013. He was executive vice president at Moorpark University. He also teaches courses in econometrics and College from 2009 to 2011, was appointed vice president of academic environmental economics in the university’s Masters of Quantitative affairs at Bakersfield College in 2006, and he was dean of economic Economics program. He is also chairs the Fox Canyon Water Market and workforce development at Bakersfield College beginning in Group and was chosen by Fox Canyon Groundwater Management 2002. Knudson began full-time service in community colleges in Agency to serve as exchange administrator for a first-of-its-kind 1993 as a faculty member in business management and economics water market pilot program involving Ventura County farmers. at Linn-Benton Community College in Albany, Ore. While at Linn- Fienup, 44, returned to school and obtained his doctorate degree after running a small business Benton, he transitioned into education management. Knudson holds a bachelor’s degree in business in Ventura County for more than a decade. He and the Business Journal co-produce the Valley administration and a master’s degree in business administration from Oregon State University. Economic Forecast, and annual assessment of the San Fernando Valley economy. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: My wife and I enjoy the topography of the entire region, but we also FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Stoney Point in Chatsworth. With its rich climbing history and unique really enjoy our home. This year the wildflowers and poppies were spectacular. landscape, it is simply one-of-a-kind. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: The economy will cool a bit, but I don’t see the recession being ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I am truly bullish on the San Fernando Valley! The Valley is home projected. We are seeing real growth and wage advancement now. to a vibrant, dynamic economy – a true economic hotspot among neighboring regions. PASSION: I enjoy serving my church. I enjoy golf and working around the house. My passion is PASSION: There is nothing on earth as fun for my wife and me as skiing or rock climbing with our my family. two boys. The boys each started at age 2 ½, so it’s practically in their blood.

J.J. LEWIS ​WENDY GREUEL Compass Charter Schools California State University - Northridge J.J. Lewis, 35, is the superintendent and chief executive for Compass Wendy Greuel, 58, is an executive-in-residence at California Charter Schools in Thousand Oaks, a system of three charters serving State University – Northridge’s Nazarian College of Business and over 2,000 scholars throughout California. Lewis is a member Economics. Greuel began that position in September 2016 and was of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and serves on the instrumental in opening Discovery Cube Los Angeles in the Valley Digital Learning Annual Conference Advisory Board. In 2013, he and serves as the vice chair of the board. She was on the Los Angeles received the President’s Award from the Association of Fundraising City Council, representing the San Fernando Valley from 2002 to Professionals’ greater Detroit Chapter. Lewis is currently working on 2009. As a council member, she helped enact business tax reform and his Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership focused on basic city services, such as sidewalk and street repair. She from the University of Southern California. was elected the Los Angeles City Controller and held that office from 2009 to 2013. Earlier, she worked at DreamWorks SKG and she served in the Clinton administration at the Department of FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: House Roots Coffee; amazing coffee and amazing support for local Housing and Urban Development overseeing southern California. She worked in Mayor Tom community initiatives. Bradley’s office for 10 years. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: About the same, if for no other reason than to be prepared for the FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Fryman Canyon Park. I enjoy going hiking early in the morning or in unexpected after years of growth the early evening at Fryman. It’s a great place to see a view of the Valley, run into friends and PASSION: Giving back to the community. enjoy nature. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I believe the economy will be about the same in the next year but that everyone should be prepared for a downturn in the next five years. However, the Valley continues to be a place where small and medium size businesses can thrive and grow. MIKE PANESIS California Lutheran University Center for Entrepreneurship PASSION: My husband and I enjoy bike riding around Balboa Park and the Orange Line bike path and finding a place on Ventura Boulevard for breakfast after our ride early on a Sunday morning. Mike Panesis, 56, is executive director of the California Lutheran University’s Center for Entrepreneurship. He plays an influential role in the formation of startup communities in the Conejo Valley and Ventura County. The center offers an entrepreneurship minor to all DIANNE HARRISON Cal Lutheran students, holds startup-focused events and operates California State University - Northridge Hub101, a community co-working space. Panesis is chairman emeritus of Tech Coast Angels, one of the largest accredited angel Dianne Harrison, Ph.D., is the fifth president of California State investor groups in the country. He heads the group’s Central Coast University - Northridge and began her appointment in June 2012. Investor Network and is a founding member of the Santa Barbara Alliance. Previously, she served as president of California State University, Monterey Bay, beginning in 2006, and she worked at Florida State FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Philly’s Best in Encino. The only authentic Philly Cheesesteak in the University for nearly 30 years in various capacities. Harrison serves L.A. area. on the boards of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Valley Economic Alliance and Valley Presbyterian Hospital. She ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Down. Feels like there’s a startup funding bubble that’s ready to pop. PASSION: Addicted to Podcasts. Check out Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History.

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SUMANTRA SENGUPTA DAVID STEELE-FIGUEREDO California Lutheran University Woodbury University

Sumantra Sengupta, 50, is Assistant Dean of graduate program David Steele-Figueredo, Ph.D., serves as the 14th president of enrollment and academic director of California Lutheran University’s Woodbury University, a private, non-profit university in Burbank Executive Masters of Business Administration, Masters of Business with a second academic site in San Diego. Founded in 1884, Administration and Master of Science in Management programs. He is Woodbury is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in also a business consultant, strategist and turnaround specialist. In the Southern California. Prior to joining Woodbury, Steele-Figueredo past he served as interim president for 2 ½ years of a global agriculture was dean of San Jose State University’s Lucas College and Graduate and animal feed company with operations in 36 countries and 3,000 School of Business. Before beginning his academic career, he played employees. Sengupta has written 4 books on business and authored 24 a variety of strategic roles with Chevron Corp., including senior articles in business publications. He serves on the board of the Valley Economic Alliance. strategic planner and financial analyst on the Chevron-Gulf merger team, and president of Chevron Latin America. Born in Venezuela, he attended the University of Birmingham in England, where FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The Village area – always bustling and a nice place to spend some time he earned B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in chemical engineering. He later completed graduate business with friends and family. And Old Town Pasadena – reminds me of the East Coast. training at the University of California, Berkeley, and the Wharton School of Business at the ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Current indicators of earnings and revenue seem to be aligned with University of Pennsylvania. He is on the board of Better Burbank Corp. some upward trajectory – however the continued “saber rattling” between the political parties and FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: trading partner countries could result in negative territory. I enjoy the intimacy and the diversity of entertainment options of Burbank’s downtown area – all within walking distance. HOBBY OR PASSION: Hobby is reading books on various business topics – normally 1 - 2 a month. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Passion is to work with helping the next generation surpass all our own achievements. About the same, although it could be down due to the potential trade war with China. PASSION: Researching and writing articles about higher education, given its importance in maintaining U.S. leadership in today’s global innovation economy. CHANDRA SUBRAMANIAM California State University - Northridge Chandra Subramaniam is the dean of the David Nazarian College of DIANNE G. VAN HOOK Business and Economics at California State University, Northridge. College of the Canyons He came to the San Fernando Valley college last year after serving as interim dean and professor of accounting at the University Dianne G. Van Hook, Ph.D., is the chancellor of College of the of Texas at Arlington College of Business. He has taught at all Canyons. Her 31-year tenure makes her the state’s longest serving levels including in the undergraduate program, master’s program, community college chief. She has served on more than 35 statewide executive MBAs and doctoral seminars. He is and has held board commissions and boards. College of the Canyons is engaged in over memberships in the Ft. Worth Chapter of the Texas Society of CPAs 70 business, nonprofit and educational partnerships annually. She and the Financial Executives International. was named as the Santa Clarita Valley Newsmaker of the Year, and was named the No. 1 most influential person in the Santa Clarita FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Griffith Park. It has a great observatory and wonderful views of Los Angeles. Valley by The Signal. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: While I am expecting volatility, I am hoping the economy stays about the same. PASSION: Travelling to new places around the world when time allows.

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Fastest Growing Private Companies 50[2019 ] Now Accepting Nominations

To be considered for the Business Journal’s 2019 Fastest Growing Private Companies list, your company must: • be in business for at least 3 years (2016-2018) • be based in the greater Northern Los Angeles region including the San Fernando, Conejo, Santa Clarita, Simi and Antelope Valleys • have done at least $5 million in revenue in 2018

For more info or to nominate, contact [email protected].

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PAULA BAHAMON award for volunteerism. Davis is a member of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association and Mission Valley Bank five area chambers of commerce. He has belonged to the Greater Van Nuys Rotary club since 1986. Davis is a longtime supporter of New Horizons, ONEgeneration, Valley Community Healthcare and Paula Bahamon, 50, is vice president-business banker at Mission New Directions for Youth. He was recognized this year with the Trailblazer Award by ONEgneration. Valley Bank. Bahamon serves on the board of MEND (Meeting Each FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Need with Dignity), a nonprofit serving economically challenged The Sportsmen’s Lodge, where my wife and I were married. Sorry to communities in the San Fernando Valley. She is active in her church see it go. and has served on the board of the Valley Economic Alliance. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I think about the same because I’m an optimist. Woodbury University recently elected her to its advisory board. The PASSION: Collecting and effectively using Frequent Flyer miles and points. Business Journal named her Banker of the Year at last year’s Trusted Advisors Awards, and she won the Rising Star award at this year’s Women’s Council awards. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: I like to visit Sherman Oaks on Ventura Boulevard because it offers an FRANK DI TOMASO JR. eclectic variety of restaurants, bars, unique stores in a vibrant environment. Bank of Santa Clarita ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: The same or down. According to the economic forecasts presented Frank di Tomaso Jr., 61, was part of the management team that founded last two years, the economy grew in the Valley. However, it is expected to slow down a little. the Bank of Santa Clarita in 2004, and he serves as executive chairman and chief executive. The company is a full-service community PASSION: I like hiking because I have a strong bond with nature. Therefore, my passion is pretty bank that serves small to mid-sized businesses, professionals, much any outdoors adventure! entrepreneurs and consumers. Prior to the founding of the bank, di Tomaso was senior vice president and business development officer at City National Bank in Los Angeles from 1997 to 2004, and senior VICTOR BERRELLEZ vice president and commercial loan team leader from 1996 to 1997. US Bank FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Towsley Canyon Hiking Trail to escape the hustle and bustle, exercise Victor Berellez, 62, is a vice president and relationship manager with and enjoy nature. US Bank. He began his career as a sales representative for Xerox ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Slightly up, given the trade war situation. If resolved then…WAY UP! Corp. in the east Valley and then started up an electronic parts distribution company. After more than a decade of that, Berrellez PASSION: Fly fishing. earned an MBA degree and became a commercial banker. He has long been involved in civic affairs, having served on Valley Community Healthcare’s boards of governors and directors for 11 years, the last JAMES GARRISON two as chair. He is on the advisory board for St. Cyril of Jerusalem Catholic School, and he is chairman of the Finance Committee for St. Cyril of Jerusalem Catholic Pacific Federal Church. He also is on the executive committee of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association. James Garrison, 69, is president of Pacific Federal in Glendale. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: I love driving down San Fernando Mission Boulevard in Granada Hills Founded by Garrison in 1977, PacFed in 2017 was acquired by on a summer evening. The smell of the orange blossoms is not to be forgotten. Zenith American, one of the nation’s largest employee benefit administrators. Garrison serves on the board and the executive ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: The economy will continue on a strong pace. International trade board of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce where he will carry on despite political uncertainty due to continued consumer activity. is co-chair of the Health Care Council. He is board member of the PASSION: Reading – whether it’s “The Annals” of Tacitus or a Damon Runyan story, it lowers the Los Angeles Chamber’s L.A. Jobs PAC, Music Fund of Los Angeles blood pressure and eases the mind. and VICA PAC. He is vice chair of the Development Council for Loyola Marymount University, Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles. Garrison is the recipient of numerous community service awards including Boys & Girls Club of the San Fernando Valley’s Golden Hands Award, Foundation Richard Chavez DAVID BONROUHI Memorial Award, and Teamsters National Hispanic Caucus Community Award. He is a past Calabasas Capital California Member of the Electoral College and a past member of the California Democratic Party Finance Council. David Bonrouhi, 49, is co-founder and managing director of Calabasas Capital, a boutique investment banking firm. Calabasas FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: I’m a big fan of the in Glendale. It is the best thing Capital provides sell-side and buy-side mergers and acquisition that has happened in and for Glendale since Y2K. advisory and private equity and debt capital-raising services to ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Definitely Down. I thought I was smarter that an economist; in the lower middle-market companies. He worked in private equity for fall of 2018, I made a wager that the economy would “tank” by end of April 2019. I recently paid five years and began his career as a certified public accountant with off a $2 bet to Chris Thornberg of Beacon Economics. I have to go with Thornberg: The economy PriceWaterhouse. He is on the board of the Association for Corporate will go down…within the next 12 months. Growth 101 Corridor and is its sponsorship chairman. PASSION: I’ve never had single passion except for spending time with my wife (and family). This year LAFC is our new favorite sport. Mammoth Mountain and Marina del Rey are next. ROBIN CHOI Wells Fargo, San Fernando Valley TIM GASPAR Robin Choi, 38, is region bank president for Wells Fargo’s San Fernando Gaspar Insurance Services Valley division. He oversees more than 1,200 banking professionals at more than 65 branches in the Valley as well as Hollywood. Choi started A lifelong entrepreneur, Tim Gaspar, 37, started his first business with Wells Fargo in 2003 as a personal banker and quickly worked his while in high school and ran a party equipment rental company way up to become district manager and area president while residing in before graduating from California State University - Northridge. Philadelphia. He helped found the Wells Fargo Team Member Network Gaspar worked for Marsh & Co., where he offered insurance and chapter Asian Connection in Philadelphia. He currently helps fellow risk consulting before purchasing his book of clients from the Encino parents understand issues surrounding pediatric cardiology. agency. In 2008, he founded Gaspar Insurance Services, which relocated from Encino to Woodland Hills. In 2017, Inc. magazine FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: My family and I frequent the Americana at Brand, a beautiful open-air, ranked Gaspar’s firm as one of the fastest growing companies in walkable treasure in Glendale. America. Today, Gaspar Insurance employs over 40 as one of the largest independent insurance ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Within the next year the economy will slow down due to the firms in Los Angeles. Gaspar, who started the CSUN Entrepreneurship Scholarship, chairs the decrease in global growth. board of managers at West Valley YMCA and sits on Insurance Brokers Association’s Valley board. PASSION: Spending time with my wife and one-year-old son. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: A & W Seafood on Reseda and Sherman Way for really great Chinese food. And you can walk to Michoacán ice cream after. It’s perfect. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Down or flat. We are somewhere near or at the end of this amazing PAUL DAVIS expansion period. That’s not pessimism. Just the reality of our market cycles. Paul Davis Insurance Services PASSION: Entrepreneurship for sure. I like to see people take nothing and turn it into something. It’s what makes our country great. A lifelong Valley area resident, Paul Davis, 62, operates Paul Davis Insurance Services. He attended Poly High in Sun Valley and earned his business degree at USC. In the past decade, he has become recognized as an expert on Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans. He is very involved in civic affairs, and he was the 2017 recipient of the Fernando Award, the most prominent local

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DAK GILINSKY MITZI LIKE DLC Group LBW Insurance and Financial Services

While he is only 33 years old, Dak Gilinsky brings 10 years of Chief Executive Mitzi Like, 61, runs LBW Insurance and Financial experience to his position as managing director at DLC Group, a Services in Valencia. In addition to her management duties, she finance and accounting consulting firm headquartered in Woodland handles the firm’s largest book of business. In 1977, she formed Hills. In that position he participates in the firm’s leadership Like Financial with her father; a later merger created LBW. Today council as well as market strategy, business development and talent it remains a family-owned insurance agency with seven family management. Prior to joining DLC last year, Gilinsky helped to members from three generations on staff. In 2013, Like formed launch the Los Angeles office of Axiom, a provider of legal services. Western Resource Network, a strategic alliance with two insurance Outside of the workplace, Gilinsky enjoys spending time with his agencies in the L.A. region. She serves on the boards of the Henry family and volunteering at the San Fernando Valley chapter of Chrysalis, a nonprofit helping Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation and Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp. One homeless and low-income people find employment and at various animal rescues. of LBW’s high-profile clients is the city of Santa Clarita. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: I love hiking in the Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park. It’s FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Valencia Country Club. amazing to see how close we are to wide open spaces in the Valley. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: About the same, but it’ll be a bumpy ride along the way. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up. Momentum is strong in all segments we are exposed to. PASSION: Golf, Kings games, Rams games, snow skiing and grandkids. PASSION: Spending time with my four-month-old son.

JAMES MUNTER TAMARA GURNEY Bank of America Mission Valley Bank James Munter leads a team of financial specialists for Bank of Tamara Gurney is the founding president and chief executive America Merrill Lynch in Encino. He is vice president overseeing officer of Mission Valley Bank, a community-based business bank client relationships within the commercial bank, which offers headquartered in Sun Valley with offices in the Santa Clarita Valley. advisory and global financial services for companies’ domestic and She is active with the Federal Reserve’s Community Depository international operations. Munter also serves on the bank’s Latino Institutions Advisory Council. She serves on the board of Pacific Leadership Council, which is dedicated supporting the Latino business Coast Banker’s Bank and serves on the board or advisory boards of community. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp., the Valley Miami with a focus in International Finance and Marketing. Economic Development Corp., the Valley Economic Alliance, the Los Angeles County Business Federation or BizFed, College of the Canyons Foundation, YMCA of Santa Clarita, Southland Sings and the San Fernando Valley Community Foundation. She was recognized by the Santa Clarita Valley Leadership Committee as the Business Person of the Year PATRICK NYGREN in 2012; the Business Journal named her a Trusted Advisor in 2011, and she is a past president of Union Bank the California Independent Bankers Association. She has become of community banking as she has made numerous visits to Washington to lobby for community bankers. Patrick Nygren joined Union Bank last summer as regional president of the Los Angeles Central Coast Division, which includes Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Monterey counties. From his Woodland Hills office, he oversees 87 branches and more than 600 VAHID KHORSAND employees. He previously was regional president for Wells Fargo’s BWS Financial Inc. San Fernando Valley Bank division. Nygren has more than 17 years of experience in consumer and small business banking. He earned Vahid Khorsand, 38, is an analyst and partner at BWS Financial, an his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California, independent equities research firm in Woodland Hills that was ranked San Diego, and received his graduate level certificate in banking from the Pacific Coast Banking No. 1 in 2017 for five-year and one-year performance by Investars. School at the University of Washington, Seattle. He’s on the board of the Valley Industry and Khorsand is actively engaged civically. He is an appointee of Mayor Commerce Association and is active with organizations that serve the well-being of children and Eric Garcetti to the Los Angeles Citywide Planning Commission health of the community. where he was elected Vice President last year. He is the founder and current chair of the United Chambers of Commerce’s Inspirational FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The Discovery Cube. It allows my children to explore and be hands on Women of the San Fernando Valley. He is a founding member of with so many exciting exhibits locally in the Valley. the West Valley Democrats, and co-chair of the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley’s ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I see more of the same. Still a lot to be optimistic about with Endorsements Committee. He was an appointee to Los Angeles Metro Transportation Authority’s industry growth; but with looming uncertainty in trade this can increase the resistance for future San Fernando Valley Service Council, a citizen oversight council, from 2015 to 2018. Prior to his growth in the economy. appointment to the Planning Commission he was president of the LAPD Valley Traffic Advisory PASSION: My children are my passion and their hobbies are my hobbies. This summer is all-star Council; Vice Chair of the United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley; Secretary baseball and softball and I couldn’t be happier. of the board of ONEgeneration; on the board of the Encino Chamber of Commerce where he was also a past president, and an appointee to the Van Nuys Airport Citizen Advisory Council. He has served on the Woodland Hills - Warner Center Neighborhood Council and is a past president of the San Fernando Valley Jaycees. In 2012 he was recognized by the Business Journal as a 40 under ROSS PENDERGRAFT 40 standout. Leavitt Group FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: A walk around Lake Balboa on the weekend is a multi-cultural treat. Ross Pendergraft, 62, is senior vice president of the Leavitt Group ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Hopefully, about the same. Trade negations prolonged into a insurance firm in Woodland Hills, where he’s responsible for presidential election year could mean major corporations hit pause on capital investments. growth of Leavitt Group’s employee benefits initiatives in Southern PASSION: My passion is coming up with events, projects, and/or groups, that work towards California. Pendergraft’s specialties include employee benefits, highlighting and improving the San Fernando Valley. My hobbies are reading as much as I can 401(k)’s, worksite benefits, estate planning and Medicare. Prior to about business, economics, and social change. working at Leavitt, he was executive vice president of USI Insurance Services, vice president of Arroyo Insurance Services and account manager with the Hendler Group. He is an active board member of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association; he has been on the board since 2012 and chairs STANFORD KURLAND VICA’s health care committee. Pendergraft is also president of the East Valley Police Activities PennyMac Financial Services Inc. League Supporters, or PALS.

Stanford Kurland, 67, is the founder and executive chairman of FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Based on where I spend a lot of time – it has to be Costco! Westlake Village-based PennyMac Financial Services Inc., which ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: About the same. is focused on producing and servicing domestic mortgage loans. PASSION: Volunteering for Police Activity League Supporters. PennyMac has been among the country’s largest by mortgage production volume. Additionally, Kurland is the founder of Private National Mortgage Acceptance Co. as well as executive chairman of PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust. Before founding PennyMac, he worked in a variety of leadership positions at Countrywide Financial Corp. He got his bachelor’s degree in 1975 from California State University Northridge.

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DAVID POMS SIM TANG-PARADIS Poms & Associates City National Bank

David Poms, 63, is chief executive of Poms & Associates, an insurance Sim Tang-Paradis, 49, is vice president and manager of City National and risk management firm in Woodland Hills. He founded the agency Bank’s Westlake Village office. She has more than 25 years of banking in 1991. There are 115 employees at the firm, with offices in West experience. Prior to joining City National, she served as a vice Los Angeles; Ventura; Walnut Creek; Roseville; Dayton, Ohio; and president and SBA business development officer with California Oaks Albuquerque, N.M. Poms has served on the board of the United States State Bank in Thousand Oaks. Active in the community, Tang-Paradis Olympic Committee, as well as for various organizations within the serves on the board of Economic Development Collaborative of insurance industry. Ventura County, the Golf Committee of California State University - Northridge’s Construction Management Program, and the Health Care FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Calabasas Tennis Club. Have been a member since it was formed and Foundation for Ventura County. She also serves on the board of Commerce Department’s Minority enjoy playing tennis and catching up with fellow tennis players and coaches. Business Development Agency of Pasadena — operated by SoCal Corporate Growth Partners, for ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I think there are signs the economy is slowing down and assume which Tang-Paradis serves as board secretary. that will translate into a very mild recession. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The Westfield mall is the best place to shop and to de-stress! PASSION: Tennis and skiing are my hobbies. I try to play, work permitting, as often as possible. Love ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: to be outdoors, so whether it is tennis, hiking or walking on the beach, I am outside, rain or shine. My conversations with clients all point to steady, stable growth. PASSION: Both of my girls are softball players. I love watching them play. DANONE SIMPSON Montage Insurance Solutions LOUIE VALDEZ The founder and chief executive of Montage Insurance Solutions Valdez Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors with more than 20 years’ experience in all lines of insurance, Danone Louie Valdez has been a financial advisor for 27 years, helping Simpson has built an agency focused on employee benefit and property affluent families in the Conejo Valley achieve their financial goals. and casualty programs for the commercial and non-profit sectors. She Valdez, 50, is a graduate of California State University - Northridge has won multiple awards, including being selected this year as one of 16 with a degree in finance and economics. Outside of the workplace, Most Influential Insurance Brokers in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Valdez has given his time to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura Business Journal and as CEO of the Year by the San Fernando Valley County, Boys and Girls Club of Moorpark and Moorpark Foundation Business Journal last year. She has been named a Trusted Advisor for the Arts. He currently serves on the board of California State in Insurance and her firm was named One of the Top Twelve Women-Owned Businesses in Los University, Channel Islands Foundation. Angeles. Simpson was selected by Forbes magazine to be represented in the Women of Power series for Southern California, among other honors. She serves on the Valley Village Board of Directors and FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Santa Monica Mountains and the Reagan Library. I plan to be a docent was honored as a founding member of Women for Wishes. when my youngest daughter goes off to college in 2020. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The National Parkland behind my home. The vast open space brings peace. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up, given lower individual and corporate tax rates working through to lengthen this economic cycle, one of the longest on record. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: The Valley is thriving; however, the political climate creates continued market volatility. PASSION: Supporting the community and cheering for the L.A. Dodgers. PASSION: Reading great business books, creating power-points with lessons learned, for staff and peers.

#1 BEST BANK IN CALIFORNIA on Forbes America’s Best Banks1

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1Ranked #4 in the Nation. #1 is derived from California State filter of all rankings nationwide provided by forbes.com. CVB Financial Corp. is the holding company for Citizens Business Bank cbbank.com 2 Not FDIC Insured Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value Not Insured by any Government Agency Not a Bank Deposit

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KATHRYN BARGER EMILY GABEL-LUDDY Los Angeles County Supervisor Mayor of Burbank

Kathryn Barger, 59, is on the Los Angeles County Board of The mayor of Burbank has served on the City Council since 2011, but Supervisors serving residents of the 5th District, which includes the Emily Gabel-Luddy previously served on the Planning Board for 10 San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys. She began her years. A professional urban planner, she began her career designing career in public service as a college student intern in the office of small parks. Later, she joined the Los Angeles Planning Department Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich and rose to the position of chief where she worked with communities to address development and deputy supervisor in 2001. She served in the latter role until her land use issues. In 1990, she received a Loeb fellowship in Advanced election to the Board of Supervisors in 2016. She is an advocate for Environmental Studies at Harvard University. She established L.A.’s the environment and efforts to preserve open space, enhance parks, Urban Design Studio to integrate pedestrian and urban infrastructure trails, recreational programs and facilities and she supports libraries and after-school programs. needs to create walkable neighborhoods. She and her husband Bill have lived in Burbank for almost Barger was born and raised in the 5th District and comes from a family with deep roots in public 20 years. service in Los Angeles County. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Love hiking with community groups in the near Chatsworth. JESSE GABRIEL ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I’m cautiously optimistic as L.A. County businesses lead the nation 45th Assembly District in cutting-edge innovation. Jesse Gabriel represents the west and central San Fernando Valley PASSION: Public service and my constituents are my top priority. in the California Assembly. The 37-year-old legislator was elected in a special election in June 2018 and was re-elected to a full term in November. Prior to becoming an elected official, Gabriel was a constitutional rights and general litigation attorney. As an BOB BLUMENFIELD assembly member he serves on the Appropriations Committee Los Angeles City Councilmember as well as the Committees on Higher Education, Housing and Community Development, Banking and Finance, Privacy and Bob Blumenfield, 51, was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in Consumer Protection, and the Select Committee on Women’s Reproductive Health. A committed March 2013. He represents the 3rd District, which includes Canoga environmentalist and longtime community activist, Gabriel previously served as a board member Park, Reseda, Tarzana, Winnetka and Woodland Hills. Previously, of the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters and the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Blumenfield served in the California State Assembly from 2008 to Angeles. 2013, representing San Fernando Valley communities. He also worked in Washington as a staffer to Sen. Bill Bradley, Congressman Howard FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: I love to hike from Mulholland past the Nike Missile Control Site. You Berman and as staff designee to the House Budget Committee. He get amazing views of the Valley and the broader L.A. region. later worked as director of government affairs for the Santa Monica ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Mountains Conservancy and district director to Congressman Berman in the San Fernando Valley. I’m hoping for continued growth, but worried about the real toll of gridlock and gamesmanship in D.C. We’re trying to do things differently in Sacramento. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Creating new green spaces and enhancing new parks is a key priority. It PASSION: There is nothing I enjoy more than spending time with my kids. Our favorite activity is always special to spend time with my family at places like the new and improvement Woodland this time of year is to hang out in the backyard and eat popsicles. Hills Recreation Center and enjoy some of the fruits of our labor. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I hope it’s up, but we are overdue for a correction. HOBBY OR PASSION: I used to have lots of hobbies but now I enjoy taking my kids to and ROBERT M. HERTZBERG watching them at their swim meets, dance recitals, basketball, baseball and other activities. California State Senate

Robert Hertzberg, 64, is a California State Senator representing the 18th District, which includes much of the San Fernando Valley. He JOEL FAJARDO is the Senate Majority Leader. He was first elected to the California Mayor of San Fernando State Assembly in 1996 and served as the 64th Speaker of the Assembly, unanimously elected in 2000 and 2002. After his tenure As the mayor of the city of San Fernando, Joel Fajardo, 36, has focused as speaker, Hertzberg went to the private sector and co-launched a on balancing the city’s budget, upgrading infrastructure, fighting the company that produced inexpensive, lightweight solar panels for impacts associated with the proposed California High-Speed Rail use around the world. In recognition of his clean energy efforts in project and promoting its rich cultural programs, healthy lifestyles Rwanda, he received the “World Bank Award for Lighting Africa,” and the Guardian magazine and inclusiveness. Fajardo is currently serving his third term on the named him one of the “50 People Who Could Save the Planet.” In 2014, he returned to state City Council and previously served as mayor for a year in 2015 and government. Hertzberg has advanced environmental protection laws, championed clean water as vice mayor in 2016. He attended private and public schools in the access, and passed legislation to prepare for future droughts by making water efficiency a way of San Fernando Valley. He graduated from Grant High School in 2001 life for Californians. and from Boston University in 2005 with a degree in International Relations. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The Mulholland Drive overlooks – seeing the majesty of the Valley FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: My Grandma Fajardo’s house in Pacoima because we always have inspires me. great conversation and food. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Better. We are going to see a boom of housing construction jobs. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Too early to predict. PASSION: In my spare time, I work on writing my book, “Fresh Eyes: Governing in an Era of PASSION: Playing with my 7-month old daughter. Unprecedented Change”

LAURA FRIEDMAN JACQUI IRWIN 43rd Assembly District 44th Assembly District Since 2001, Laura Friedman has owned and operated her own small Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, 57, is in her third term as the business, PlanetGlass.net, a website dedicated to Mid-20th Century state representative for the 44th District, which includes an area Modernist art glass and jewelry. But she is also well known as a bounded by Oxnard, Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village. She was public official. Friedman, 52, served as a Glendale City Council first elected to the Assembly in 2014 and serves as the chair of the member for seven years, including one term as mayor. In 2016 she AssemblyVeterans Affairs Committee and the Select Committee was elected to the State Assembly where she represents Glendale, on Cyber Security. She also sits on the Business and Professions Burbank, La Cañada Flintridge and portions of Los Angeles. In her Committee as well as committees that oversee agriculture, the first term, Friedman authored a package of bills to establish water budget, higher education and privacy and consumer protection. Prior efficiency standards, strengthen environmental sustainability, improve access to higher education, to the assembly, Irwin served for 10 years on the Thousand Oaks City Council, including two health care and transportation alternatives. She’s an advocate for the environment, the arts and terms as mayor. Before being elected to public office, she was a systems engineer at Johns Hopkins reproductive rights. University Applied physics lab and worked at Teledyne Systems. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: I’m a Trekkie, so the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant and FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The parks and hiking trails – To be outdoors exercising and getting Japanese Garden. It’s been used as the backdrop for several Star Trek sets, including Star Fleet some solitude. Academy. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up – We have record low unemployment rates. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Down because of the growing wage gap and decline of the middle class. PASSION: Hiking with my dogs Smokey and Bandit, reading and spending time with family and friends. PASSION: If I had extra time, I’d be playing pool.

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PAUL KORETZ ARA NAJARIAN Los Angeles City Councilmember Mayor of Glendale

Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz, 64, has represented Ara Najarian, 58, is a lawyer by training, having earned his J.D. the city’s 5th District for 10 years. District 5 runs along the city’s degree from the USC. He entered private practice and opened an spine in the Santa Monica Mountains and includes communities on office in Glendale. He also volunteered as a judge pro tem in several the west side of Los Angeles as well as in the San Fernando Valley. area courts. But it is in public service that Najarian is widely known. Koretz was born in the Valley. He’s a champion of environmental He is currently serving his fourth term as the mayor of Glendale. protection including fighting climate change, conserving water and He was first elected to the city council in 2005 after having served protecting natural resources. He also worked against mansionization in the area and has worked to try to solve the city’s homelessness two years on the Glendale Community College board of trustees. He problem. Among his honors, he has won the Green Leaf Award for Innovation from City Plants, has served on the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation a nonprofit partner of the city of Los Angeles and the Department of Water and Power; the 2019 Authority, including as chairman in 2009-10. Najarian currently serves as vice chair on the UCLA Tom Bradley Local Leader of the Year Award for his commitment to UCLA and the city Metrolink board. of Los Angeles; the 2018 Courageous Leadership Award from Women Against Gun Violence; the 2018 Environmental Leadership Award from the Federation of Hillside and Canyon Associations; FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Relaxing in the Americana at Brand. and the 2018 Alcohol Prevention Hero award from the California Alcohol Policy Alliance. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: The economy will be slightly stronger in the upcoming year. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Los Encinos State Historic Park. I love its history. PASSION: Competitive swimming. I train with a master’s swim team and compete in ocean swims and swim meets. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Down. Trump’s tariffs will disrupt the worldwide economy. HOBBY OR PASSION: Politics/government. I get to do my hobby every day. And baseball. ADRIN NAZARIAN 46th Assembly District Los Angeles City Councilmember Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian is in his fourth term as the state representative for the 46th District, which includes Lake Balboa, Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Paul Krekorian, 59, North Hills, North Hollywood, Panorama City, Sherman Oaks, has spent more than a decade in public service. He first served as Studio City, Toluca Lake, Universal City, Valley Glen, Valley a California State Assemblymember, and since 2010 has served Village, Van Nuys and Hollywood Hills. He was first elected to the as a Los Angeles City Councilmember. In the latter position he Assembly in 2012. Prior to serving in the assembly, Nazarian was chairs the Budget and Finance Committee and Ad Hoc Committee chief of staff to Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian and on Job Creation, and serves on the Housing Committee, Ad Hoc aide to Congressman Brad Sherman. He has served on boards for Committee on the Summer Olympics and Energy, Climate Change community-based organizations including the East Valley YMCA and YWCA. He received his and Environmental Justice Committee, among others. Krekorian is bachelor’s degree in economics from UCLA and lives in West Toluca Lake. a board member of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metrolink and San Fernando Valley Council of Governments. He graduated from Cleveland High School in Reseda, earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California and law degree from UC Berkeley. Before his life in public service, Krekorian spent 25 years in the private sector R. REX PARRIS as a business litigator. Mayor of Lancaster R. Rex Parris, 67, is the longtime mayor of Lancaster, his hometown. During his tenure, Parris set out to transform the city, starting with NURY MARTINEZ a redevelopment of the downtown area, bringing in new industry, Los Angeles City Councilmember including Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Build Your Dreams Motors Inc., and taking steps with alternative energy to make Nury Martinez, 45, is the president pro tempore of the Los Angeles Lancaster a net zero community. In 2013, Lancaster was named by City Council and represents the 6th District and the communities the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. as the Most of Lake Balboa, Van Nuys, Panorama City, North Hills, Arleta, and Business-Friendly City in Los Angeles County for the second time Sun Valley. Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Martinez in six years. He started the Parris Law Firm in 1985 with his wife, Carrol, and focused on personal is interested in supporting families’ efforts to raise their children in injury cases. His practice later expanded to include wrongful death, legal malpractice, employment safe neighborhoods with the opportunity to achieve and maintain law violations and consumer class actions. His firm represented residents in the Porter Ranch area the middle class goals of the American Dream by fighting for good following a massive natural gas leak that started in October 2015, and his firm was the first to file paying jobs, increased green space and environmental justice for a class action lawsuit against Southern California Edison for its involvement in the Woolsey Fire the communities of the Northeast Valley. in November. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Lancaster Boulevard on Friday night. The people are enjoying each other and everyone is smiling. ROB MCCOY ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: It will be up. BYD and Northrup will both be hiring over a Mayor of Thousand Oaks thousand people in Lancaster over the next year. Rob McCoy, 54, is the mayor of Thousand Oaks and the senior PASSION: Discovering innovative methods to persuade and lead people. pastor at Godspeak Calvary Chapel, a post he’s held for over 15 years. McCoy has long been involved in religious and civic matters such as serving on the board of the Conejo Pregnancy Center and formerly serving as chaplain for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. DAVID RYU His career in city government includes stints on the City Selection Los Angeles City Councilmember Committee, the Finance/Audit Committee, the Ad Hoc Economic Los Angeles City Councilmember David Ryu, 44, represents the 4th Development Committee, the Ad Hoc Homeless Committee, the Council District, which includes Sherman Oaks, Toluca Lake and Association of Water Agencies of Ventura County and more. several areas of the Los Angeles basin. In July 2015 he became the FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Tomodachi, or any place that serves excellent sushi. first Korean American to serve on the Los Angeles City Council. He is the chair of the San Fernando Valley Council of Governments. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up. Unemployment is down. Investment is up. Businesses are Ryu studied economics at UCLA; public policy and administration expanding. Even with California’s high tax environment, we will still benefit. at Rutgers University; won a United Nations graduate internship PASSION: History. and was a Netkal Fellow at USC’s School of Social Work. As senior deputy to Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Burke, he worked on issues such as public health, housing, children and family services, transportation and senior services. His background also includes serving as director of development and public affairs at Kedren Acute Psychiatric Hospital and Community Health Center. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Park – a beautiful place to be with the community! ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up – with exciting opportunities around the corner. PASSION: Watching movies with my fiancé.

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DAVID SHAPIRO ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW? About the same. Still have trade deficits. Mayor of Calabasas PASSION: Growing up, I started collecting stamps and am now doing so with my daughters. David Shapiro has long served the city of Calabasas and is now mayor. He served as president/chair of the Calabasas Library Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission. Since 2013 CHRISTY SMITH he has been a member of the Calabasas City Council and has served 38th Assembly District two terms as mayor. He was recently elected to become the regional councilmember for Southern California Association of Governments Assemblymember Christy Smith, 50, has spent her career in public and serves on the Valley Economic Alliance board of governors. service, starting as an analyst with the Education Department. After Additionally, Shapiro serves as captain of the City of Calabasas relocating back to the Santa Clarita Valley, where she had grown up Relay for Life Team and supports many other philanthropic organizations, including Rotary Club and attended school, Smith continued as an advocate for education, of Calabasas, Habitat for Humanity, and Golden West ALS. He is a lawyer with a private practice. serving as a PTA and site council member before being elected to the Newhall School Board in 2009. She additionally founded the FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Leonis Adobe and King Gillette Ranch for history, and ending up at Valencia Valley Technological Education Foundation and served Lovi’s Delicatessen for a bite. as its initial chair. She was elected to represent the 38th Assembly ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW? I’m concerned a bit for the economy, and markets could be in for a District last year. She sits on the Education; Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy; correction. Too much uncertainty and disruption. We need to become more stable to grow. Privacy and Consumer Protection; and Accountability and Administrative Review committees. PASSION: Love going to or watching sports events (especially Dodgers, Clippers, Rams and FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Pretty sure it will be the new Porto’s in Northridge. Chargers), music (concerts), theater (plays), chess and movies. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Hopefully still growing at a pace that maintains (California’s) status as the world’s 5th largest economy. PASSION: Hiking and reading. BRAD SHERMAN U.S. House of Representatives Congressman Brad Sherman from Sherman Oaks represents the San HENRY STERN Fernando Valley in the House of Representatives. He has been in California State Senate Congress since 1997 and is currently serving his 11th term. Sherman is a senior member of both the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Henry Stern is a sixth-generation Californian and native of the 27th Financial Services Committee; a member of the Science, Space and Senate District, which includes parts of Los Angeles and Ventura Technology Committee; and serves as chair of the Asia, the Pacific counties. He was elected state senator in November 2016 after being and Nonproliferation Subcommittee. Sherman is a tax law specialist endorsed by his predecessor, Sen. Fran Pavley; environmental and certified public accountant. Prior to joining Congress, Sherman groups; teachers and school board members from Los Angeles and was on staff at one of the nation’s big-four CPA firms. While at the firm, he audited large businesses Ventura county school districts and the Association of Los Angeles and government entities, provided tax law counsel, and advised entrepreneurs and small businesses County Sheriffs, among others. Stern has lectured at UCLA and UC on tax and investment issues. Berkeley, enjoys volunteering at his local Boys & Girls Club and is a member of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Advisory Committee, the Jewish Federation FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: I regularly attend the Sunday Summer concerts in Warner Center Park of Greater Los Angeles, American Jewish Committee, and Truman National Security Project. He organized by the Valley Cultural Center. is an alumnus of Harvard University and UC Berkeley Law. Stern’s father is actor Daniel Stern.

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DR. PETER GROSSMAN PRECIOUS MAYES Grossman Burn Centers Pacifica Hospital of the Valley

Dr. Peter Grossman, 56, is the medical director of Grossman Precious Mayes took over as president and chief executive of Pacifica Burn Centers based in West Hills with locations in Bakersfield and Hospital of the Valley at a crucial period. Since April of last year, she in Kansas City, Mo. The facilities treat burn patients from around staved off 11 near-closures of the Sun Valley hospital and transformed the world. He is the president of the Los Angeles Society of Plastic years of massive financial losses. Her connections to state and federal Surgeons and a clinical instructor of medicine at UCLA. He is a agencies proved crucial to obtain funding. With more than 25 years board-certified plastic surgeon whose private medical practice is of experience in health care leadership, she helped implement divided between cosmetic and reconstructive surgery and the care executive financial enhancements and a patient experience program. of burn-injured patients. Grossman is a graduate of Northwestern Mayes was named Executive of the Year by the Business Journal at University and the Chicago Medical School. He completed a general surgery residency at Cedars- this year’s Women’s Council as well as in 2016. She is an active member of the California Hospital Sinai Medical Center; a plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at the University of Missouri- Association, California Association of Healthcare Facilities, American Healthcare Association and Kansas City; fellowships in breast reconstructive surgery; and aesthetic and endoscopic surgery National Center for Assisted Living. at the University of Alabama, Birmingham. Grossman received an Armand Arabian Leaders in Public Service Award last year. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: I love to visit the Huntington Library. I enjoy the gardens and galleries, the peacefulness that send you back in time. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The hillsides overlooking the Valley bring both a sense of nostalgia ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: The U.S. economy seems to be in good shape now, but the and growth. forecasters are indicating that there is real risk, that the national economy will skid into a ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Why be negative?...UP! recession. However, I am optimistic and feel we will rebound before we get to that point. PASSION: Studying futurism and the possibility of radical life extension. PASSION: I enjoy traveling, reading, the arts and my family.

DR. BERNARD KLEIN DR. RICHARD MERKIN Providence Holy Cross Medical Center The Heritage Group

Dr. Bernard Klein, 58, is chief executive of Providence Holy Cross Dr. Richard Merkin is founder and chief executive of the Heritage Medical Center, a 377-bed, not-for-profit facility in Mission Hills that Group in Northridge, which includes Heritage Provider Network and offers inpatient and outpatient health services for residents of San Heritage Medical Systems. Under his leadership, HPN has become Fernando, Santa Clarita and Simi Valleys. Previously, he served as the largest, physician-owned and operated integrated delivery chief medical officer for Providence Holy Cross. Klein is a board- system in the United States with more than 50 related health care certified Internal Medicine physician and has an MBA. He also is companies and medical groups. Merkin serves on the board of the chair of the Facey Foundation board, and he is vice chairman of the California Institute of Technology and board of trustees at Keck Hospital Association of Southern California board. School of Medicine at USC. He is co-founder of FasterCures and established the Richard Merkin Foundation for Stem Cell Research, Richard Merkin Initiative at FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The many, varied restaurants – great food, atmosphere and Johns Hopkins Brain Sciences Institute, Richard Merkin Foundation for Neural Regeneration at enjoyable experiences. UCLA and the Merkin Family Foundation Fund for Regenerative Medicine at the Keck School of ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up – it will be an election year. Medicine at USC. He was honored by the Milken Institute Global Conference last year with the inaugural Tommy Lasorda Leadership Award. Merkin recently announced the Merkin Institute for PASSION: I love running for great causes including cancer and sudden infant death syndrome. Translational Research at Caltech, a gift from him that will help Caltech scientists and engineers transform their breakthroughs into advances in human health. NATASHA MADARIAN ProHealth Medical Group NATALIE MUSSI Natasha Madarian, 38, is chief operating officer of ProHealth Medical Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center Group, which specializes in workers compensation programs. She Natalie Mussi has led Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center as oversees four occupational clinics, an orthopedic specialty group, president and chief executive for five years. Previously, she served surgery center and a newly launched mobile medical unit. In 2009, as chief operating officer of the hospital beginning in October 2008. Madarian participated in a TV pilot program similar to “The During this time, she has led Los Robles through its Level II Trauma Apprentice” called “The Next VP Star.” Although she won , Center verification, acquisition of Thousand Oaks Surgical Hospital the show was never picked up. She is active in the community and has and oversight of the hospital’s construction and service expansion been on the board of the Valley Economic Alliance since 2013. projects. Mussi joined Los Robles from Centerpoint Medical Center FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: I enjoy going to the 94th Aero Squadron. It’s a neat spot to grab a bite in Independence, Mo., where she served as the chief operating and watch private jets take off and land. officer for five years. She also served as associate administrator at Riverside Community Hospital in Riverside. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I believe the economy will stay the same until after the results of the election. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The beaches and parks. The outside fresh air is rejuvenating after PASSION: I enjoy spending time with my family. Especially enjoy boating day trips to the ocean being inside all week. following the beautiful coastline. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: About the same. PASSION: My family. It is a joy to watch my kids grow up and experience life through their eyes as they see things for the first time. ABNER MASON ConsejoSano

As founder and chief executive at ConsejoSano, Abner Mason, 57, PAYMAN ROSHAN leads the North Hollywood company that helps patients engage with Kaiser Permanente Panorama City Medical Center their health care insurance coverage, with emphasis on multicultural Payman Roshan has been senior vice president and area manager for populations. ConsejoSano’s clients are typically health plans and the Kaiser Permanente Panorama City Medical Center and Antelope provider groups with Medicaid and Medicare Advantage patients. Valley Areas almost four years. He is responsible for all of the Kaiser He also is the founder and co-chair of Health Tech 4 Medicaid. Foundation Hospitals and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan operations Previously, Mason was founder and chief executive of the Workplace in an area that serves more than 300,000 members and includes the Wellness Council of Mexico, which provides member companies eastern portion of San Fernando Valley, the Santa Clarita Valley with wellness programs. From 2002 to 2009, he worked as executive director of the AIDS and Antelope Valley. Previously, Roshan served as chief operating Responsibility Project, where he created business councils on HIV/AIDS in Mexico and Jamaica. officer for three years at Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park, where Mason has served on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS and as chief policy advisor he managed and led the day-to-day operations of the hospital. He also served as assistant medical to the governor of Massachusetts. center administrator for support services at the Baldwin Park Medical Center. He is on the board FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Restaurants in the NoHo area. I love the range of food options. of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I think the economy will be up because the fundamentals continue FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Japanese Gardens at Balboa Park. Tranquil and relaxing, they allow for to point in the right direction. And the administration will take steps to keep the economy strong me to mentally reset after a strenuous week. in an election year. PASSION: Playing soccer! I almost went pro after college. Love kicking the ball around whenever PASSION: Residential real estate development. I can.

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ROGER SEAVER San Fernando Valley chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, and he is on the board of the Valley Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Economic Alliance. He was the 2016 winner of the Fernando Award, considered the highest award for volunteerism and philanthropy in the San Fernando Valley. Roger Seaver is president and chief executive of Henry Mayo FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Newhall Hospital, a 238-bed, nonprofit community hospital and Hiking in the mountains around the Valley. It’s relaxing and peaceful. trauma center in Valencia. The organization’s services include ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Down slightly. I see market changes, but the fundamentals maternity care, a cancer program and advanced primary stroke remain good. care, among others. Prior to leading Henry Mayo, Seaver served as HOBBY OR PASSION: Hobbies include playing and watching all sports. My passion is my family. president of Northridge Hospital Medical Center from 1997 to 2000 and he served at Glendale Memorial Hospital from 1978 to 1997 consecutively as chief financial officer, chief operating officer and chief executive officer (from 1992 to 1997). GUSTAVO VALDESPINO He served as chair of the Hospital Association of Southern California in 2009 and was re-elected Valley Presbyterian Hospital to the board in January 2018. His current professional affiliations include membership on the Gustavo Valdespino, 59, has been president and chief executive of American Hospital Association Regional Policy Board, Board of California Healthcare Insurance Valley Presbyterian Hospital nearly 10 years. The nonprofit in Van Company and Optima Healthcare Insurance Services, and Anthem Blue Cross Hospital Relations Nuys is one of the largest acute care hospitals in the San Fernando Committee. Seaver currently serves as co-chair of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Valley with 350 beds. Valdespino has more than 25 years of hospital Corp. In addition, he has participated on agency boards including the American Red Cross, management experience, including serving as senior vice president American Cancer Society (San Fernando Division) and United Way. of operations for Tenet Health Corp.’s Southern California region, FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Events at the Hyatt, mixers at Salt Creek Grille and new restaurants in president and chief executive of St. Vincent Medical Center and chief old Newhall. executive of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Orange County. He holds a master’s degree in public health from UCLA and completed the Advanced Management Program ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: The Santa Clarita Valley economy will stay strong, vibrant at Harvard Business School. and growing. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Brent’s Deli. Great pastrami sandwich and unbelievable rye bread! PASSION: International travel. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I have given up trying to predict our economy. Way too many moving parts. DALE SUROWITZ PASSION: Sports events and bicycling. Providence Tarzana Medical Center

Dale Surowitz, 59, has been chief executive of Providence Tarzana Medical Center since June 2014. He long held that position until October 2012 when he left to be the regional chief operating officer of Providence Health and Services – Southern California. Before joining Providence, he had been CEO of North Hollywood Medical Center. He is active in the community and has served on the boards of the Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce and the Valley Industry and Commerce Association. He also served as vice chairman of the

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PAULA WILSON which represents federally qualified health centers, and served as president for Healthcare L.A., Valley Community Healthcare IPA’s board of directors from 2014 to 2017. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Paula Wilson’s appointment as president and chief executive of CSUN! I’m an alumna and enjoy visiting the botanical garden Valley Community Healthcare in 2004 was the culmination of a 25- and the Soraya. year career with the nonprofit center, which began as a free walk- ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Same. I don’t expect federal policy changes to impact the in clinic in 1970. During her time as vice president of Planning economy during an election year. and Development, she spearheaded a $6 million capital campaign PASSION: I collect American decorative art (from 1900-1927), Native American textiles and that resulted in the purchase and renovation of the present 40,000 pueblo pottery. square foot North Hollywood center. Her promotion to the top leadership position coincided with the organization becoming a federally qualified health center. Wilson then embarked on a growth and expansion initiative that included building the organization’s board, developing key staff leadership positions and opening DR. JOHN YU new facilities, including the North Hills Wellness Center in 2015. Wilson is on the boards of the ImmunoCellular Therapeutics California Primary Care Association and Healthcare L.A. Managed Care IPA. She received the San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s Women in Business award in 2009 and was named one of Dr. John Yu, 54, is founder and a director of ImmunoCellular the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Top 200 Distinguished Leaders in 2018. Therapeutics, a clinical-stage, publicly traded biotech in Calabasas that is developing therapies for the treatment of brain cancers. Yu is FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: I spend a lot of time hiking the Valley trails: Franklin, an internationally known neurosurgeon and is the medical director Tree People, Dixie. of the Brain Tumor Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He is ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: The same; especially for the health industry. Lots of jobs, professor and vice chair in the Department of Neurosurgery. Yu technology, and aging boomers. earned his bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and spent a year at the Sorbonne in Paris studying French literature. He completed PASSION: I’m learning ballroom dancing, but not going to make “Dancing with the Stars” his fellowship in immunology at the Institut Pasteur in Paris and earned his medical degree from anytime soon. Harvard Medical School and master’s degree from the Harvard University Department of Genetics. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Visiting our friends in our small group in Calabasas and Agoura Hills. KIMBERLY WYARD Community is everything. Northeast Valley Health Corp. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Down. Trade wars are ramping up which will negatively affect our economy. Kimberly Wyard, 66, has served as chief executive of Northeast Valley PASSION: Playing electric guitar is my passion. I would have loved to be a musician but wouldn’t Health Corp. since 1996. She first joined its staff in 1974 and has held like the club scene. various positions, including Adolescent Health Program director, clinic administrator and deputy director. Wyard has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and completed graduate school at California State University - Northridge. The native Californian is a member of the Los Angeles County Community Clinic Association, National Association of Community Health Centers, and Health Care for the Homeless Committee. She is also a past member of the L.A. Care Health Plan board of governors,

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BILL ALLEN DIANA DUEÑAS Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. Encino Chamber of Commerce

Bill Allen, 61, has served as chief executive at the Los Angeles Diana Dueñas has been chief executive of the Encino Chamber County Economic Development Corp. since 2006. His family of Commerce since 2007. She had been a member of the Encino moved to Encino in 1959 so his father, entertainer Steve Allen, could Chamber for 6 years prior to that. She serves on the board of United produce his comedy series “The Steve Allen Show” at NBC Studios Chambers of Commerce, a coalition of Valley chambers that gives in Burbank. After attending USC, Bill Allen worked at CBS, where local businesses a louder voice in government, and she also is co- he supervised production of the show “Designing Women.” In the chair of its Government Affairs Committee. She’s on the advisory 1990s he was president at production company MTM in Studio City, boards of U.E.I. College in Encino and Grateful Americans Charity, where he oversaw production of “Remington Steele,” “St. Elsewhere” a nonprofit that helps veterans fighting P.T.S.D. and “Newhart.” After the Northridge earthquake in 1994, he helped create the Valley Economic Alliance and headed it for four years, and he remains active in Valley matters. Last fall he won the FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Los Encinos State Park. Tranquility on Ventura Boulevard. Fernando Award, widely considered the San Fernando Valley’s highest honor. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: About the same. We get a little extra income, we spend it on more services. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park where I hike with my family along the Mulholland Corridor enjoying breathtaking views of both the Valley and the Pacific PASSION: Watching the complete original Law & Order series. Ocean. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: The economy will continue to grow albeit modestly over the next year assuming (as I do) that interest rates will remain low and trade disputes will be resolved. THOMAS FLAVIN PASSION: Photography has been my lifetime passion and I have the external hard drives loaded Burbank Chamber of Commerce with tens of thousands of pictures to prove it! Thomas Flavin returned to Burbank, where he grew up, in 2016 to become chief executive of the Burbank Chamber of Commerce. He had served as mayor and city councilmember in Burbank from 1989 through JILL BANKS BARAD 1993. He also has served as CEO of three regional economic development Valley Alliance of Neighborhood Councils organizations. In the private sector, he was a business development executive in the broadband industry for Westinghouse Corp. and ICG Jill Banks Barad is a longtime civic leader and businesswoman in the Communications. San Fernando Valley. Through her consulting firm she has provided services to federal, state, local and judicial campaigns, as well as statewide and local ballot measures. Barad is the founder and chair of the Valley Alliance of Neighborhood Councils, a coalition of DAVID GOODREAU 34 neighborhood councils. She also was the founder and president Small Manufacturers Association of California for 15 years of the Sherman Oaks neighborhood council. Her civic engagement has included serving on the boards of the Valley During his career, David Goodreau has played a leading role in Industry and Commerce Association, Habitat for Humanity SFV and the Valley Community Legal developing manufacturing, educational and regional economic Foundation. She was a commissioner for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Barad development programs and policies. He founded Goodreau Machine has been recognized with multiple awards, including as a six-time finalist for the for the Fernando Works in 1981 and later merged it with Newman Machine Works Award, the highest award for volunteerism in the San Fernando Valley. in 1983 where he was general manager and later president after the company changed its name to Quantum Manufacturing Inc. Since FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The Soraya at CSUN because it is a great venue for performing arts in 1996, the 61-year-old Goodreau has been involved with the Small the Valley. Manufacturers Association of California and is its chairman. He is also president of the Small Manufacturers Institute. A resident of Glendale, he serves as executive ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: About the same but we have to deal with housing and director of the San Fernando Valley chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association. homelessness to keep the economy from getting worse. PASSIONS: Musical theatre, contemporary art, gardening, opera, ballet, animal rights and rescue. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The Soraya Performing Arts at CSUN for the joy of hearing incredible (I have three rescue cats.) musicians at a world-class venue. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Trending lower from election unknowns, lack of skilled labor and high costs. PHIL C. BOUGH PASSION: Business: Sustainable solutions that engage manufacturers.Personal: Great music, food Invesco QQQ Championship and family.

Phil Bough, 57, is executive director of the PGA Tour’s Invesco QQQ Championship, a tournament on the PGA Tour Champions played at in Thousand Oaks. In November 2009, he TISH GREENWOOD joined the PGA Tour as sales director for the Northern Trust Open California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks at Riviera Country Club. He left that post in March 2014 to accept a position with the Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce as Tish Greenwood is the executive director of the California Museum executive director of the First Tee of Los Angeles, but moved to of Art Thousand Oaks, located at The Oaks shopping center. his current position in June 2017. Bough began his career in the Greenwood, 48, has worked at the J. Paul Getty Museum where United Kingdom as a camera technician, and after 10 years joined the Walt Disney Co. in the she was an analyst in the budget and finance office. She received a UK as a producer. Because of his passion for golf, he joined a sports-marketing agency, IMG, bachelor’s in art history from John Cabot University in Rome and in 1995 as an executive in the European golf client division. He eventually became director of earned a master’s in museum studies from Georgetown University business development with Productions in Los Angeles. In this role, he managed the and in contemporary art from Sotheby’s Institute of Art – New York. company’s made-for-TV golf events. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Driving along Mulholland Drive viewing the Valley below – great at night and daytime – full of personal memories and the vistas are inspirational. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Life is short, art endures and brings us together. Art will continue KEN CRAFT to thrive in the So Cal region. Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission PASSION: Learning. The homeless crisis is nothing new for Ken Craft, 55. In 2009, he founded Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission to provide food, shelter, clothing and care to those without housing. In 2016, the organization JOHN HEUBUSCH opened a Recuperative Care Shelter in Mission Hills for people Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation released from hospitals. The organization has a catering kitchen and health clinic in Mission Hills, a Help Center in Van Nuys and shelters John Heubusch is executive director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential in Pacoima, Lancaster and Palmdale. It runs thrift stores in Granada Foundation, the nonprofit organization founded by President Reagan Hills, Santa Clarita and Simi Valley. Every year the mission provides to preserve and promote his legacy. He also is a novelist who wrote more than 250,000 meals and 75,000 nights of shelter to homeless individuals and families. Before “The Shroud Conspiracy” and “The Second Coming.” Previously, launching Hope of the Valley, Craft was director at another rescue mission. he served as chief operating officer of Avalon Capital Group Inc., a private investment company. Heubusch also was chief administrative FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Costco....I find it therapeutic! officer of Gateway Inc., the Fortune 500 computer firm. In political ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up. We will secure a trade deal with China. life, he was the executive director of the National Republican PASSION: Playing the piano. Senatorial Committee during the 1995-1996 election cycle, and he served Elizabeth Dole as vice president of communications for the American Red Cross.

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DAVID HONDA Valley Business Journal in 2015 and 2014. Fernando Awards FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Aroma Coffee and Tea or Mexicali in Studio City. Both have great San Fernando Valley Fair ambiance and excellent food. Commerce Department ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up. The Valley is a very innovative place to be. New ideas drive David Honda, 68, is known for his prolific civic engagement. He new business. is the project operator for the Commerce Department’s Minority PASSION: Business Development Agency in Pasadena. He has been president of I’m a mom of six children and five grandkids, and I’ve spent 30 years serving folks with San Fernando Valley Fair for more than 20 years and he is on UCLA disabilities. My passion is to create family and culture for all people. Extension’s Board of Advisors. For 19 years he has been co-chair of California State University – Northridge’s Construction Management Golf Program that funds student scholarships and provides other support. He is past chairman of BRIGETTE LODEN the Fernando Award Foundation and is the current chair of its international award committee. Community Foundation of the Valleys Among his many affiliations, he has been a director of the Hollywood Bowl Society, president of the Asian Business Association-Los Angeles; involved with the Sunshine Canyon Landfill Local Brigette Loden, 62, is the executive director of Community Enforcement Agency, a joint powers authority, since its inception more than 10 years ago, and was Foundation of the Valleys, a nonprofit that inspires, encourages and a delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business. In his career, he co-founded the facilitates charitable giving for lasting impact in the San Fernando Beverly Hills design firm Spacemakers Inc. in 1976 and served as its chief executive through 1980. and Santa Clarita Valleys. Loden, a lifetime volunteer, also has He then started D.S. Honda Construction Inc. in Northridge and was president of the firm until served as vice president of development for Providence Health and 2008. Honda also has won numerous awards, including the Fernando Award in 2009. Services and is immediate past president of the Southern California Association of Healthcare Development. Loden has received the FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: CSUN’s Soraya Performing Arts center. A beautiful 1,700 seat venue Business Journal’s “Women Who Mean Business” award for not- with majestic architectural details. Great acoustics, and American Idol was filmed there. for-profit leadership, as well as the Southern California Association of Healthcare Development’s ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Down. Changes in demographics, regulatory restrictions and way “Outstanding Leader of the Year” award. too many taxes. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Gatherings in the homes of friends. It’s an opportunity to connect on a PASSION: Developing a construction/supervisory robot for the drywall trade. deeper level. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: It will stay about the same due to it being an election year. GAIL LARA PASSION: Friends, family, gardening, dogs and being outdoors. Women’s Collaborative Mentoring Program Gail Lara, 63, is the executive director of the Women’s Collaborative MARIA MEHRANIAN Mentoring Program at the Valley Economic Alliance. She brings to Armenia Fund Inc. the position more than 15 years as a business owner and experience in small business development and training. The mentoring program Maria Mehranian is president of the Armenia Fund USA in Glendale, serves economically disadvantaged women-owned small business which has raised more than $130 million for humanitarian aid and with free training and mentoring services. Lara is also a small infrastructure development in Armenia. In March she was invited business coach with Operation Hope. Over her career she has served to present at the 63rd session of the United Nations Commission more than 4,200 business owners. Lara also serves on the advisory on the Status of Women at the UN Headquarters in New York. She board for the Special Needs Network, a program dedicated to helping children with Autism. She is managing partner and chief financial officer of Cordoba Corp., also served as event chair for a domestic violence awareness program. an engineering and construction management firm specializing in infrastructure. A water policy expert, she is the former chair FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The Soraya Performing Arts at CSUN. Because the entertainment is the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, where served two consecutive terms. superb, location is beautiful, and it feels like a cultural experience. She has played a pivotal role in developing the state’s water supply, quality, and resource ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: The economy will slow down a year from now because the price of policies. Mehranian is a past Corporate Woman of the Year honoree, an award jointly presented goods and services is rising, and the pay scale is not keeping up. by the legislators of the 43rd and 44th Assembly and 21st Senate Districts of California. She is a PASSION: My passion is to enable local businesswomen and their communities to thrive. recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Also, she serves in leadership positions for several educational institutions and non-profit organizations, including Woodbury University, where she is vice chair of the board of trustees. JILL LEDERER FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Griffith Park is one of my favorite places because of its multi-benefit uses. It provides open space, and through its observatory, makes science accessible to everyone. Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: The economy will stay the same. The chance of a downturn is Jill Lederer, 63, is president and chief executive of the Greater Conejo diminishing. Every effort will be made to keep the economy stable and growing since it will be Valley Chamber of Commerce, which represents the Thousand an election year. Oaks, Westlake Village and Agoura Hills areas. It’s also one of the HOBBY OR PASSION: largest chambers in the western United States and the biggest in the Learning about the history of water in our region. I also like to learn about Valley area. During her 11 years at the chamber, she has led it to two innovative ways we are going to improve mobility in our state. In addition, I enjoy learning 5-Star accreditation ratings (2011 and 2016); less than 1 percent of Spanish and working out. the 7,000 chambers nationwide are accredited at the highest level. The Chamber also operates the Greater Conejo Valley Community Foundation and Conejo Valley Tourism Improvement District. Lederer also serves as a regent for KATHY NORRIS California Lutheran University, a trustee for Los Robles Regional Medical Center, is a member of Valley Industry Association Thousand Oaks Rotary and was a small business owner for more than 25 years. She was honored as the 2018 Woman of the Year by Assembly Member Jacqui Irwin. Kathy Norris has for 24 years been president and chief executive of the Valley Industry Association, a business-to-business organization FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The Hillcrest Open Space Loop hiking trails; pure peace. of 300 members in the Santa Clarita Valley. She has played a leading ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up. Our economy will experience challenges but our diversity and role in creating a number of events and programs that help local entrepreneurial spirit will always prevail. businesses, such as the annual VIA Bash, VIA Leadership Program PASSION: I love to read, and my passion is anything that helps animals. and bi-annual CEO Forums. She is involved in civic affairs, such as the Soroptimists International of the Greater Santa Clarita Valley, and she has served on the board of the SCV Business Alliance, among others. In 2013, she received the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce leadership REBECCA LIENHARD award, and she was selected as one of its Top 51 Most Influential People 8 years. Tierra del Sol Foundation FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: In the Santa Clarita Valley, it would be either special events in Old Rebecca Lienhard, 53, has a near 30-year career with Tierra del Town Newhall or our local Farmers Market. In the San Fernando Valley, I enjoy visiting the Sol Foundation, a workforce development organization in Sunland- shops and restaurants on Ventura Boulevard. You can walk everywhere! Tujunga where she strives to increase community integration ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up! Our growth pattern within VIA and the Santa Clarita Valley for people with developmental disabilities. Lienhard has served both indicate a positive business climate. on numerous community boards and committees, including the PASSION: Vendor Advisory Committee for the California Department of I am an avid reader, but also enjoy traveling – especially if kayaking is involved! Developmental Services’ North L.A. County Regional Center and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities’ Employment First Committee. Lienhard was presented the Inspirational Women Award by the United Chambers of Commerce in 2017 and was nominated for Women of the Year Awards by the San Fernando

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MICHAEL OLENICK MATTHEW SWEARMAN Child Care Resource Center Valley Village

Michael Olenick, Ph.D., 67, has served as president and chief Matthew Swearman, 47, is the senior director of development executive of Child Care Resource Center in Chatsworth since 2003. and donor relations at Valley Village, which serves adults with His role involves oversight of programs, projects and services for developmental and intellectual challenges. Before joining Valley more than 55,000 children and families each month. He is a governor’s Village last year, he worked as a public affairs and public relations appointee to the state advisory council on early learning and care, the professional for more than 15 years. Swearman is on the board of the Speaker of the Assembly’s commission on early childhood education Valley Industry and Commerce Association, and he serves on VICA’s and the state child welfare commission. He serves on the board executive committee and foundation board. In 2017, he received of Zero to Three, a nationwide nonprofit organization promoting the 12th Annual President’s Award from VICA. He’s a graduate of healthy childhood development. He is a past president of Child Care Aware of America and the Pennsylvania State University with a BS in Education. California Child Care Resource and Referral Network. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Mulholland Drive overlooking the San Fernando Valley because it’s a FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Pierce College. It’s our country club. spectacular view. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: About the same. It’s an election year. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I do believe we are overdue for a recession, but I hope I am wrong. PASSION: Walking. I try to do 50 miles a week. PASSION: I love spending time with my Basset Hound, and I enjoy vintage cars from the 1950s and ’60s.

DAVID PHELPS Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce NANCY HOFFMAN VANYEK Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce David Phelps, 42, is president and chief executive of the Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce. The San Fernando Valley native Nancy Hoffman Vanyek, 54, started with the Greater San Fernando has more than 15 years of executive leadership in the nonprofit Valley Chamber of Commerce in 1987 as the communications and political fields, coming from the Association of Independent manager. A couple of promotions later, she became the chief executive. Commercial Producers as director of external relations. In this She is an advocate of the business community and has positioned role, he worked with close to 400 production companies, as well the Chamber as being recognized for its fierce stance on business as hundreds of vendors and suppliers, to ensure a film-friendly initiatives. Vanyek seeks out opportunities to serve members and the environment in production centers countrywide. Phelps is currently community to create economic vitality, promote the community, and on the board of FilmLA and previously served on the Valley Industry and Commerce Association provide for the quality of living that meets expectations. as Entertainment Committee chairman. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The Japanese Garden – it’s a hidden oasis and perfect place to relax. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The Sherman Oaks Street Fair on Ventura Boulevard. The largest annual ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Unsure. Waiting to see how new regulations and final minimum event in the Valley! wage increase affects Valley businesses. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: About the same statewide. Further local regulations on small HOBBY OR PASSION: Hobby: running. Passion: helping businesses navigate the red tape to start/ businesses will have large impact on our economic success beyond 2020. expand their operations. PASSION: My family. Building closer community ties with business. Appreciator of pop culture. I love a good home poker game. STUART WALDMAN Valley Industry and Commerce Association KENN PHILLIPS Stuart Waldman, 50, is president of the Valley Industry and Valley Economic Alliance Commerce Association, the largest business advocacy organization Kenn Phillips, 60, is the president and chief executive of the in Southern California. Prior to joining VICA, Waldman spent 11 Valley Economic Alliance, a nonprofit economic development and years working for the state Assembly representing the San Fernando marketing corporation serving businesses in the San Fernando Valley. Seven of those years were spent as chief of staff to two Valley including Calabasas, Burbank, Glendale, Los Angeles and Assembly members, including then-Speaker Bob Hertzberg. From San Fernando. The Economic Alliance is the home of the Woman’s 2001 to 2008, Waldman was an appointed member on the state’s Collaborative Mentoring Program, John Maxwell Training Series Board of Accountancy, which oversees the state’s CPAs. Waldman and hosts the National Association Women Business Owners served in the Army from 1987 to 1989. He is on the boards of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of satellite location. Phillips was promoted to the post in 2014 after 15 Commerce and the Los Angeles County Business Federation, as well as the advisory boards of the years as the organization’s senior vice president. Prior to joining the alliance, he spent 17 years L.A. Press Club and One Generation. as the community relations manager for the Boeing Co. in Canoga Park. He also has served as FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: I love taking my kids to the Westfield Fashion Square and hour before a commissioner for the city of Los Angeles Workforce Investment Board, Sherman Oaks and it opens to run around and go to the play area. It’s a great place to meet up with other families. Encino Hospitals, California State University - Northridge’s Ernie Schaeffer Center for Innovation Entrepreneurship and Regional Higher Learning Consortium. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Down. Unemployment will be up because the increase of labor costs will force closures and automation. Housing prices will continue to go up because our FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The Japanese Garden. In the midst of the busy San Fernando Valley elected officials don’t want to build new housing. lies an oasis – a 6 1/2 acre garden, which features a dry Zen meditation garden, a “wet-strolling” PASSION: garden and a tea garden. I love spending time with my kids who are 4 and 6 and my wife. We love travelling the world with them and seeing them experience new things. They have made our travels much ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: About the same. Unemployment moves down to the low 3’s and more exciting. inflation remains low, but there’s a continued exodus of middle-class jobs out of California and the increased minimum wage is affecting nonprofits’ ability to provide service to the most vulnerable. DIANA WILLIAMS PASSION: Tennis, gardening and fly fishing West Valley-Warner Center Chamber of Commerce

Diana Williams is the chief executive of the West Valley-Warner HOLLY SCHROEDER Center Chamber of Commerce and the executive director of the Chamber of Commerce Community Benefit Foundation. She Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp. launched such programs as the Community Choice Awards; Valley Holly Schroeder is president and chief executive of Santa Clarita Regional Forum; Get Empowered, Get Employed; West Valley Valley Economic Development Corp., which works to attract and Adopt-A-School and Valley Stars Toastmasters. She serves on two retain businesses in the Santa Clarita Valley. Prior to joining the of Councilman Bob Blumenfield’s “Community Action Teams” economic development group in September 2013, she served for 8 in beautification and economic development. She serves on the years as executive officer of the Los Angeles Ventura Chapter of Board for the United Chambers of Commerce, Pierce College Business Advisory Council, Valley the Building Industry Association. Currently, she is chair of the Los Advisory Council and the Ventura Boulevard Planning Review Committee, among other civic Angeles County Workforce Development Board and serves on the responsibilities. board of the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Victory Trailhead is one of my favorite places to visit. This hike is low FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The many golf courses (see below!). to moderate in difficulty and leads you to breathtaking views of our valley. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: About the same, which is a good thing. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: The growth of this region (Woodland Hills, Tarzana and Reseda) will have a positive effect on the local economy here in the San Fernando Valley. PASSION: I took up golf a few years back and have become absolutely hooked! PASSION: Reading.

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MICHAEL CUSUMANO ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: We are not seeing any signs of slowing. Cusumano Real Estate Group HOBBY OR PASSION: Woodworking, guitar and spending time with my family, specifically my two grandsons, Kevin and David. Michael Cusumano, 56, is chief of the Cusumano Real Estate Group in Burbank. His company recently completed the 480,000-square- foot Talaria at Burbank, which the Business Journal named the Mixed-Use Project of the Year. It recently won the Grand Award CHRISTOPHER JACKSON at the 2019 Gold Nugget Awards, a national honor. Cusumano is NAI Capital chairman of the Providence Saint Joseph Foundation and sits on more than a dozen other community boards. He has received numerous As manager of NAI Capital’s Encino office, Christopher Jackson, awards, including the 2017 Mary Alice O’Connor Vision Award from 48, oversees more than 40 brokers. A year after Jackson joined NAI the Burbank Family Services Agency. The Cusumano family, the largest owner of multifamily Capital in 2006, he ranked fifth in the company with total revenue units in the region, donated $10 million to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Emergency in excess of $60 million. He has been a named a Capital Club Top Services Campaign last year. The family also has funded the Cusumano Family Neuroscience Producer each year since 2007 and was promoted to executive Center at the medical center and the Cusumano Family Radiation Oncology Department at the managing director of the Encino office in 2014. He began his career Disney Family Cancer Center, also at the medical center. in commercial real estate in 1997 when joined CB Richard Ellis as an assistant in the Industrial Division. After joining Grubb & Ellis FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Probably Morton’s in Burbank. Great place to enjoy a steak and a great in 1998, he won Rookie of the Year. He has been named one of the Top 30 Brokers by the Business bottle of wine. Journal. Jackson also is a founding member of NAI Capital’s Investment Services Group in 2016. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: About the same. New course from the Fed will allow continuation FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: We typically like to head to Malibu and have dinner on the beach of modest levels economic growth. because it’s relaxing and you feel like you’re out of the city. PASSION: Fast cars, good wine and travel. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I feel the economy will probably still be doing very well but will probably start to flatten out due to how high we are and the presidential election. SHAWN EVENHAIM PASSION: I enjoy spending time with my family and teaching both of my girls (15 and 9) soccer. California Home Builders Shawn Evenhaim, 52, is founder and chief executive of California MICHAEL KOSHET Home Builders. With more than 25 years of experience in the real KW Commercial estate industry, he has developed more than two million square feet of residential products. Evenhaim has served the city of Los Angeles Michael Koshet, 34, is a commercial real estate broker at KW in a number of development, planning and policy related capacities. Commercial with a specialty in off-market transactions, particularly He was a mayoral appointee to its Development Reform Advisory apartments. He’s closed more than $550 million in deals in less than Committee, for example. Evenhaim is involved in community 7 years, and he has represented such buyers as publicly traded REITs, activities, and in 2014 he was selected as one of the top 50 Jewish privately held national groups, local developers and some of L.A.’s Americans who have made a significant impact on the Jewish story (The “Forward 50”). He is biggest real estate families. Last year Koshet received the Killer passionate about education and making a difference in the lives of children. He has served on the Whale Award from KW Commercial’s headquarters in Texas, and boards of many nonprofits. he won the Business Journal’s Commercial Real Estate Award for Best Multifamily sale. In 2013 and 2014, he won greatest sales volume awards from Re/MAX FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Kadima Day School and the Israeli-American Council community Commercial. He also has worked for Peak Century 21 in Woodland Hills. center. Both are impacted by my philanthropy, and I love seeing the impact that they make on the life of others. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Warner Center. Aside from watching the diversity, it’s watching the ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up. Due to the development and opening of our first Q – Luxury area evolve into the new metropolis of the San Fernando Valley. mixed-use residential projects in the Warner Center. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up if it stays the same, and down if we have that overdue PASSION: Other than my family, travel, skiing and philanthropy. earthquake. PASSION: Spending time with my family, creating the next real estate deal, and building my new FinTech company, Crent.com RICKEY GELB Gelb Group RICK LEMMO Rickey Gelb, 74, is managing general partner and founder of Gelb Caruso Group, a real estate development and property management company in Woodland Hills focused on the San Fernando Valley. A longtime As senior vice president of corporate relations at shopping center civic leader, he has served as director of four banks, belonged to developer Caruso, Rick Lemmo acts as liaison to community groups, more than 20 organizations and served on numerous advisory media, elected officials and city staff. Caruso owns properties boards. From his first Award of Merit in 1984 from the City of Hope, throughout the Valley region, including the Americana at Brand Gelb has been recognized more than 1,000 times from federal, state, in Glendale, Encino Marketplace, , the county and city agencies. A couple noteworthy awards include the Promenade at Westlake, the Lakes at Thousand Oaks and the Village Ellis Island Medal of Honor and the prestigious Fernando Award. at Moorpark. Lemmo, 64, is president of the Downtown Glendale Association and has served on the boards of California Lutheran FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Winnetka Bowl & Entertainment Center because “It’s all here for you University, Los Robles Hospital Regional Medical Center and Thousand Oaks Surgical Hospital. at the Bowl.” He is past president of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce and past chair of the Greater Conejo ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: If we keep creating new taxes on the middle class, we will run out Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce. taxpayers and the economy will slow down, as people will continue to use free services provided by the government and the businesses will move out of the state. PASSION: Spending time with my family, eating good food and going to the movies. SHERYL MAZIROW Mazirow Commercial Inc. LEWIS C. HORNE Sheryl Mazirow is president and founder of Mazirow Commercial Inc. She has more than 30 years’ experience in commercial real CBRE Group estate, and she specializes in tenant representation and advisory Lewis C. Horne, 60, is divisional president at CBRE Group with services for companies leasing, selling or buying office space. She responsibility for the Pacific Southwest, including Southern has been recognized as one of the “Women of Influence” in Southern California, Arizona and Hawaii. Horne leads the strategic direction California commercial real estate. The Business Journal gave her the and performance of the firm’s advisory services business, which Lifetime Achievement award at the Women’s Council in April and includes advisory and transaction services, asset services, capital in past years gave her the Executive of the Year award and Business markets, local project management and valuations. He has held Women of the Decade award. Mazirow holds the Certified Commercial Investment Member a variety of leadership positions in the company, beginning as an designation, which less than 1 percent of the world’s commercial real estate professionals achieve. industrial brokerage professional in 1984 and quickly growing to FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The Village. It is urban and dynamic. become one of the top 3 percent of brokers companywide. Active in the community, he is co- chair of the Central City Association’s Homelessness Initiative, past chair of Los Angeles County ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up. Companies are expanding and hiring employees. Economic Development Corp., and he is currently on the boards of the Los Angeles Business PASSION: Hiking, biking, yoga and skiing! Council, World Trade Corporation Los Angeles and Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Hiking in – quiet, peaceful, great views.

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SHAWN MORADIAN GLORIA POLLACK Thousand Oaks Boulevard Association Gelb Group

Shawn Moradian, 38, became the youngest president in the history Gloria Pollack is community liaison for the Gelb Group, focusing of the Thousand Oaks Boulevard Association in 2016. In this on a variety of non-profit organizations. She’s chair of Child position, the Thousand Oaks native is responsible for revitalizing Development Institute and will be honored in March at its Silver downtown Thousand Oaks into a walkable entertainment, shopping Jubilee event. She is a veteran board member of ONEgeneration and and residential hub. The organization works with the city to develop works on the Gelb Scholarship Program. Pollack has been presented a half-mile section of the boulevard around the Civic Arts Plaza. with a variety of local awards work including the Fernando Award, Moradian also runs a family real estate firm that owns property in Armand Arabian Leaders in Public Service Award, Valley Cultural the business improvement district. Moradian has launched a craft Golden Horn, Zine Pioneer Woman, Antonovich Woman of the Year, brewery named Brewing Co. in downtown Thousand Oaks. Moradian serves on the the United Chambers Inspirational Woman awards and this year was named the Nonprofit Leader board of the Thousand Oaks Police Charitable Foundation. of the year at the Business Journal’s Women’s Council awards. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Tarantula Hill Brewing Co. Great family gathering place. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: El Portal Theatre and Japanese Gardens. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Depends on many factors. The consensus is things will be cooling PASSION: Working toward the betterment of education in Valley schools. off next year. PASSION: Traveling, spending time with interesting people, and developing new gathering places. TONY PRINCIPE Westcord Commercial Real Estate Services HESSAM NADJI TR Funding Marcus & Millichap Tony Principe, 52, is a principal and president of Westcord Commercial Real Estate Services in Thousand Oaks. A 33-year Hessam Nadji, 53, is president and chief executive officer of Marcus veteran and top producer specializing in office properties for & Millichap, a commercial real estate brokerage based in Calabasas Westcord, Principe has handled more than 3,500 sales and lease with professionals throughout the United States and Canada. Nadji transactions totaling $4 billion. Principe is also co-managing partner joined the company in 1996 as vice president of research and expanded of T.R. Funding, which has developed and rehabilitated more than 50 the company’s real estate transactional leadership by also becoming properties throughout the region since 1994. Among other honors, a leading provider of market trends, analysis and expertise. His role Principe was twice presented with the Power Broker Award by Costar Group and Commercial grew to include marketing and strategy. Nadji played a leading role in Property News, and the Business Journal once gave him an award for closing the largest office preparing and executing the firm’s IPO in 2013 and began serving in deal of the year. Principe until June was chair of California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks, a span his current role in April 2016. Nadji is frequently sourced in media outlets such as the Wall Street during which the museum relocated to the Oaks mall. Long active in the community, Principe Journal, Investor’s Business Daily, CNBC, Fox Business TV and industry trade publications. Prior served as president of American Heart Association, Ventura County Chapter, and was an active to joining Marcus & Millichap, he was senior vice president at Grubb & Ellis, where he began his director as well as treasurer in addition to several other civic responsibilities. career in 1986. He is a member of the National Multi Housing Council executive committee, the Urban Land Institute, the International Council of Shopping Centers and NAIOP. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Aside from the museum, which I am very proud of, I love to mountain bike, so the top of one of our local mountains overlooking the Valley is at the top of my list. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Decker Canyon Road for an aggressive Sunday drive. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I would say the same. We have strong fundamentals in employment, ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: About the same; because it’s already quite strong, interest rates technology and real estate occupancy rates that should outweigh the headwinds of trade and other issues. have reversed course and are now lower than just a few months ago and inflation is in check. PASSION: My passion is people, long-term friendships and business associations. I also enjoy cars HOBBY OR PASSION: I have a lot of hobbies and passions that keep my mind and body energized, and consider myself a serious Beatles fan. including photography, painting, biking, boxing and surfing.

LINDY PEARSON SANDY SIGAL Cresa NewMark Merrill Cos.

Cresa Los Angeles Associate Lindy Pearson, 41, works at one of the Sandy Sigal, 55, founded and is chief executive of NewMark Merrill largest of 50 offices of Cresa, the nation’s largest corporate real estate Cos., which has acquired, developed or managed and repositioned more firm specializing in tenant representation and corporate services. than 100 retail centers. NewMark Merrill, based in Woodland Hills, She represents companies throughout the San Fernando and Conejo has been ranked one of L.A.’s Fastest Growing Private Companies by valleys, helping them find space (office, research and development, Los Angeles Business Journal for seven years and has won numerous manufacturing and warehouse). Pearson is responsible for the industry accolades. The firm owns or manages 75 shopping centers business development efforts of the Woodland Hills office, including throughout California, Colorado and Illinois. At age 20, Sigal joined sponsorships, events and networking activities. She works with her West Venture Cos., a Southern California-based homebuilder. In 1993, husband, Rick Pearson. She is a member of ACG 101 Corridor and The Exchange networking Sigal was promoted to lead the company and in 1997 he co-founded NewMark Merrill, purchasing organization dedicated to community involvement and non-profit support. She also is co-chair of West Venture’s retail assets. He is active in the community, serving on the board of Camp Bob the Child and Family Guidance Center’s Development Committee and a frequent donor to various Waldorf Foundation. In 2007, he received the William Shatner Humanitarian Award for his work non-profit organizations. for the foundation and the camp. He also serves on the board of Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters’ executive committee and is co-chair of Real Estate Principals Organization, a group of senior Jewish FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: West Hills Little League to watch my son play baseball and Chaminade real estate principals and owners who support various organizations. High School to watch my daughter play soccer and basketball. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks. We got involved with the center a ECONOMY a year from now: About the same – balanced. We continue to see businesses thrive and week after 9/11, and watched it become a centerpiece of the community. In addition, I love the Sage population keeps rising. Brush Cantina – it represents all that is good, fun and historic about the Valley. PASSION: Yoga, raising children, travel, philanthropic endeavors, my vegetable garden and my chickens! ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: I am great at predicting the past, not so much the future. In fairness, hard to say what success in the economy looks like – less affordability, some income growth, and a lot of transition a year from now. RICK PEARSON PASSION: My kids, lots of travel, reading and learning. Cresa

Rick Pearson, 55, has spent the majority of his career in real estate representing tenants. Pearson began his career at Daum Commercial WENDY SIMPSON Real Estate serving corporate clients. In 1996, three years after Cresa’s formation, Pearson joined Cresa Los Angeles, where his LTC Properties clients included American Red Cross, Bank of the West, Standard Wendy Simpson has been president and chief executive of Westlake Insurance and MGA Entertainment. In 2003, Pearson opened Cresa’s Village-based LTC Properties since 2007 and was appointed chair in office in Woodland Hills to expand its reach into Northern Los 2013. The real estate investment trust specializes in senior housing and Angeles and Ventura counties. In 2005, Pearson became a Cresa health care properties. Its portfolio includes more than 200 assisted principal. He works with his wife, Lindy Pearson. living, memory care, post-acute/skilled nursing and range-of-care FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: The Ahmanson Ranch area west of West Hills. I ride my mountain properties. Simpson joined LTC in 2000 as vice chair, and also served as bike in the hills once or twice a week. treasurer, chief financial officer and chief operating officer. Previously, she held executive positions in public companies that owned acute care ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: About the same. I’m optimistic that the economy will remain fairly level. hospitals, psychiatric hospitals and home health services. She began her career in public accounting PASSION: Working around the house, long weekends in the RV and playing golf. and has more than 25 years of experience in health-care related businesses.

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1994 - 2019

CONGRATULATIONS MIKE TINGUS On being named to the Valley200 The team at Lee & Associates-LA North/Ventura thanks you for your leadership in positioning our brokerage among the best in the region

#1 CRE Brokerage Paci c Coast Business Times

Top 5 CRE Brokerage San Fernando Valley Business Journal

Top 10 CRE Brokerage Los Angeles Business Journal

Top 10 Most Powerful Brokerage Firms Mike Tingus, President Commercial Property Executive 818.223.4380 [email protected] www.miketingus.com Top 15 Brokers BRE # 01013724 National Real Estate Investor

Corporate ID #01191898 26050 MUREAU ROAD, SUITE 101, CALABASAS, CA 91302 • 818.223.4388 Office | Industrial | Retail | Multifamily | Investment | Land

013-74_sfvbj20190722.indd 61 7/17/19 12:57 PM THE VALLEY 200 62 SAN FERNANDO VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL JULY 22, 2019 REAL ESTATE

NANCY STARCZYK KEITH WASSERMAN Real Estate Gelt Inc.

Nancy Starczyk has worked in residential real estate in Santa Clarita Keith Wasserman, 34, founded Gelt Inc. in 2008 during the depth and San Fernando Valleys for more than 30 years. She has served of the recession. He has been involved in the acquisition of several as president of the Southland Regional Association of Realtors, commercial, industrial and residential properties mainly in the western as regional chair and this year as chair of government affairs. She United States totaling over $1 billion in assets. Wassserman co- currently sits on nine boards and is a state director for both the founded Happy Home Communities in 2017, adding the manufactured California and National Associations of Realtors. Starczyk has home venue to his entrepreneurial ventures. Wasserman not only served on the Board of the SCVYouth Project since 2000, holding leads Gelt’s charitable giving program but he and Damian Langere various positions including president. In addition, she has worked as formed the Gelt Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public nonprofit whose focus a volunteer/fundraiser for many community organizations. Starczyk, who speaks sign language, is on helping renters avoid eviction and stay in their apartments during an unexpected financial has assisted the deaf in real estate transactions and in various programs. emergency. He’s a big brother in the Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Neighborhood parks. Walking my dogs, getting exercise and enjoying FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Gelt’s 250-unit apartment project we are building called Watermark. the surrounding beauty of nature recharges me. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up. Fundamentals remain strong and I’m bullish on the local market. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up. Since I am in real estate, the housing crisis dominates my PASSION: Golf, my wife and our two beautiful children, Wilhelmina and Ziggy. thoughts. As long as the Fed raises rates slowly the housing market will not boom then bust. PASSION: I am an incurable collector of antiques and vintage items on my travels. My half-acre garden, that I have named “Starcliffe,” and my Weimaraners have become my greatest passion. CAROL WOLFE Rodeo Realty

MICHAEL G. TINGUS Carol Wolfe of Rodeo Realty is among the Valley area’s best-known Lee & Associates-LA North/Ventura real estate professionals. This is her 45th year in the business and she consistently has been a top producer for Rodeo. She is in the 1 percent Michael Tingus, one of the region’s highest-producing commercial of top salespeople in the United States. Wolfe is a long-standing brokers, has worked with area landlords, developers, tenants and member of the Encino Chamber of Commerce and she’s on the real business owners for more than 30 years. Tingus, 54, specializes estate committee of Providence Tarzana Medical Center. in industrial sales and leases, and he has won numerous industry awards, including from the Business Journal. He has been president FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: I like to see movies at the Laemmle of Lee & Associates-LA North/Ventura since 1994 and spearheaded because they often have foreign films not shown in other theaters. I company growth from a single office to four locations with 50 agents. also have enjoyed visiting the Japanese Garden, a unique hidden Valley gem. He has played a significant role in the commercial development of the Conejo Valley. A member and chair of the Calabasas Planning Commission from 1993 through ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: With a strong housing market, mortgage interest rates at a two- 2001, he co-authored the city’s general plan, land use and development code during his tenure. year low, and the unemployment rate at the lowest level in 50 years, I think the outlook is good. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: My brother’s house. He’s my best friend. PASSION: I love real estate (my profession), and I also love traveling. I have been to every continent. I love researching and planning my trips. ECONOMY A YEAR FROM NOW: Up. PASSION: Golfing and fishing.

Congratulations to our very own Rick & Lindy Pearson for making the VALLEY 200 Most Influential Business Leaders

Los Angeles | San Fernando Valley cresa.com/losangeles

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The Cusumano Real Estate Group

is proud to honor its Managing Director Michael Cusumano for all of his many achievements and his recognition as one of the

2019 Valley 200

013-74_sfvbj20190722.indd 63 7/17/19 12:57 PM 74 SAN FERNANDO VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL JULY 22, 2019 Congratulations to the Valley 200 honorees who are helping businesses boom in our San Fernando Valley communities!

5 th District Supervisor County of Los Angeles @SupervisorBarger @KathrynBarger @SupervisorKathrynBarger KathrynBarger.LACounty.gov

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