12 Dec Success, New Initiatives, Awards, Election: VEA Board of Governors Annual Meeting
A packed networking reception at Fletcher Hall in Burbank’s Woodbury University
preceded the Valley Economic Alliance (VEA) annual Board of Governors meeting, drawing
industry leaders and local dignitaries on August 21, 2014.
New leadership and a new CEO have united San Fernando Valley area businesses,
putting the VEA’s finances on a positive track with activation of new networking programs and
business retention strategies during the past year.
Woodbury University President Dr. Luis Calingo opened the meeting with a welcome:
“Woodbury University is very proud to be partners of the Valley Economic Alliance, because,
after all, when Woodbury University was created, it was for the purpose of helping develop the
economy of Los Angeles.”
Calingo noted that Woodbury’s School of Business recently received international
recognition and reminded the audience of Woodbury’s value proposition: “We take students from
all backgrounds and transform them into graduates with highly valued degrees.” He pointed out
that Woodbury University recently rated 15th among Money magazine’s top 25 colleges in the
United States.
The Valley Economic Alliance Board Chair Martha Aszkenazy introduced VEA’s CEO
Greg Krikorian, noting that, after 12 months, his impact on the business-driven organization
is markedly positive. Krikorian highlighted VEA events and programs during the past year,
including the 20-year VEA commemoration Reaching New Heights, VEA’s annual Business
Expo, success with the “Honor a Hero, Hire a Vet” program, the Steve Allen Excellence in
Education awards, and new Brokers’ Breakfasts for real estate professionals and investors
organized and hosted with the cities of Glendale and Calabasas.
Krikorian also emphasized VEA’s long-standing partnership with the Los Angeles
Tourism and Convention Board. New VEA board member and L.A. Los Angeles Tourism and
Convention Board Senior Vice-President for Business Affairs Patti MacJennett attended the
annual meeting, commenting that she is “very pleased to see that VEA is reinvigorating itself”
and noting that the Valley Economic Alliance is an important Tourism and Convention Board
partner for promoting and developing tourism as an economic engine for the San Fernando
Crediting VEA’s staff with outstanding outreach, Krikorian outlined tasks and
geographic areas for renewed focus. He discussed business retention, citing efforts by other
counties and states to compete for business from the Valley, and reasserted VEA’s goal to support
and develop business centers and work with regional workforce development and city economic
development staff to encourage business retention.
With Bank of America Senior Vice-President Maria Mesa and U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs representatives in attendance, VEA’s Krikorian announced Bank of America’s
generous sponsorship of 2014’s “Honor a Hero – Hire a Vet” job and resource fair. Vocational
rehabilitation specialist John Tyler praised the effort, observing that “working with the VEA is
giving us a better avenue to getting our nation’s heroes back on the job.” Krikorian said that VEA
is also reaching out to Valley restaurants with incentives to become ADA compliant.
Expanding the Steve Allen Excellence in Education awards for high schools, and launching
a new retail industry initiative, Krikorian invited member feedback on new efforts, too, including
thoughts, comments and ideas on:
- • Liveable & Sustainable Communities
- • Discover the Valley
- • Economic Development & Retention
- • Workforce & Education
VEA Board member David Fleming made a special presentation to outgoing L.A. County
Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky for his vision of establishing the Orange Line. Yaroslavsky said it
has been a privilege and a calling to represent and build this community.
Krikorian reviewed the VEA’s year-end financial statement, which he said has improved and
is now positive.
Each of the five VEA cities’ leaders updated their city’s business outlook:
Burbank Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy
• A new IKEA project at the corner of San Fernando Blvd. and Alameda Ave., which will
be the largest IKEA in North America
• Nickelodeon moving into the old Jay Leno studio
• Two new hotels for expanded business travel Transportation improvements around the
Bob Hope Airport
• Large number of regional entertainment jobs (1 out of 3) based in Burbank
Calabasas Council Member Fred Gaines
• 6 of the top 25 companies of the San Fernando Valley are in Calabasas
• Luxury auto dealerships, including the new Mini dealership
• TTS, IXIA, On Assignment, Kythera Pharmaceuticals, and the Cheesecake Factory
corporate offices
• Revitalization of Old Town and a retail renaissance
Glendale Mayor Zareh Sinanyan
• The city has formed a nonprofit 501(c)3 Economic Development Corporation to foster
businesses
• Goals to promote 18-hour city, reduce office vacancies, and provide concierge business
services
• Sales tax revenue growing, property values rebounding
Los Angeles/Frank Aguirre, Mayor’s Office of Economic Development
• New structure with Back to Basics priority outcomes
• Making Silicon Beach a pipeline to the future
• BusinesSource System for micro-level business assistance; 9 citywide with 3 in the
Valley
• Focus areas: Entertainment, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Health Care, International Trade,
Tourism
San Fernando – Council member Antonio Lopez
• An island surrounded by the City of Los Angeles
• City governance stabilized and structural deficit addressed
• New multi-tenant commercial, Warehouse Shoe Sale store, low-income housing,
downtown densified
• Compania de Café/a new coffee shop chain established
• Anticipating connecting to Orange Line bus system
• Concerned about high-speed rail surface route destroying city and advocating for
underground route along that stretch
• Acknowledge that VEA has been a huge help and resource
The meeting concluded with installation of Governors, Directors and Officers led by
Installation Chair Emeritus Judge Leland Harris.