14 Dec A Conversation with Robert Scott
A Conversation With:
Robert Scott
Mulholland Institute
Director
How long have you been volunteering in the community?
I began my lifetime commitment to volunteering more than 40 years ago, in the early 1970’s as President of the Van Nuys Jaycees. I went on to become President of the Van Nuys Chamber of Commerce, and somewhat later president of the United Chambers of Commerce, and founding Chairman and President of The Valley Economic Alliance.
How long have you been volunteering for The Valley Economic Alliance?
I have been volunteering for The Valley Economic Alliance for 22 years.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I was an entrepreneur from the tender age of eight, when I started Scott Printing out of my garage in Panorama City. I would suit up and cold-call businesses in the Downtown L.A. area, doing much of the printing myself on an old-fashioned letterpress. The printing company existed for nearly 50 years, ultimately in downtown Van Nuys, where I was very involved with the chamber. I parted from the printing business in 1980, and started my law practice: Scott & Associates, in Sherman Oaks; and after 36 years of practice, have just celebrated my 20th Anniversary as an “AV Preeminent” rated law firm.
I served for ten years on the five-member citywide Los Angeles City Planning Commission and as President during the adoption of the current General Plan. My involvement in city charter reform, included creating the original plan for Neighborhood Councils. I am currently working to gain funding for the San Fernando Valley Conference & Visitor’s Bureau, and making Valley data and assets accessible for marketing and economic development.
As a Valley native, I have worked tirelessly to establish the Valley as a significant “place.” I continue to provide meaningful studies, reports and strategies for cities and communities.
For more information visit my LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mulholland-institute-85aaa610
What is one of your Passion Projects that you are working on?
I founded the Mulholland Institute 19 years ago, and have been assembling teams of specialists to work as the San Fernando Valley’s “think tank” in support of informed public policy for two decades. Aside from receiving the Fernando Award in 2003, I have gone on to establish Valley planning subregions with both METRO and SCAG, and set up the San Fernando Valley Statistical District (CCD) with the US Census Bureau.
Why do you continue to be a member of The Valley Economic Alliance?
In founding the Alliance in 1994, I rallied the Valley civic community to economic action in the wake of the Northridge earthquake and after a dramatic displacement of the aerospace industry. I have chaired The Valley Industry and Commerce Association, The Valley Economic Development Center, and was the founding Executive Director of the San Fernando Valley Council of Governments.