07 Nov The Valley Economic Alliance Hosts Veterans’ Job and Entrepreneurship Summit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2022
Media Contact:
Sonya Kay Blake
sblake@economicalliance.org
818-379-7000 ext. 106
The Valley Economic Alliance Hosts Veterans’ Job and Entrepreneurship Summit
Sherman Oaks, California– As part of an initiative to honor veterans and to improve their chances for success after military service, The Valley Economic Alliance (The Alliance) is hosting a Veteran’s Job and Entrepreneurship Summit on Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 10:00 am – 11:30 am (PT). This is a free virtual event.
The U.S. Census American Communities Survey reported that there were close to 44,000 veterans residing in the San Fernando Valley in 2020, comprising 3% of the Valley’s population. While veterans often struggle with transitioning to post-military life, The Alliance provides resources to aid veterans in this transition.
“We are giving back to the veterans who have given us so much through their service,” said Sonya Kay Blake, president and CEO of The Alliance. “This can be a difficult time for veterans as they try to build a business or move from one career to another, and we have access to the information and resources to assist them in making the move easier.”
The program includes best practices in finding available opportunities and secure gainful employment, tips for venturing out in entrepreneurship, ways to leverage military experience and to train in the workforce and valuable resources to help veterans. Featured speakers include:
- Sabrina Abousaleh, Lead Business Opportunity Specialist SBA, L.A. District Office
- Jack Ochoa, Founder Infinity Government Procurement Consulting
- Vic Hill, Entrepreneur Ambassador, Bunker Labs
- Ken Friend, Talent Acquisition Staffing Manager Northrop Grumman
- Brian Bilski, Lead Military Recruiter Northrop Grumman
- Matt Gaskin, Military Recruiter Northrop Grumman
- Henry DeRussell, Recruiter Associate, Talent Acquisition Strategy & Delivery, Wells Fargo
Don Muller, owner of Jukeboxes Unlimited, is reaping the benefits of The Alliance’s help by finding channels for financing and connecting with other veteran-focused organizations with the assistance of Alliance business advisor Brett Dickstein. Jukeboxes Unlimited, located in Granada Hills, was founded in 1971 and has acquired an inventory of approximately 350 jukeboxes. The company buys, restores, and sells jukeboxes for individuals globally and provides prop rentals for studios, production companies and events largely in SoCal. “I’m thankful to have The Valley Economic Alliance on my team,” Don said. “They are helping me prepare for the next chapter of my business, which is selling to the right buyer.”
This summit is made possible, in part, through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration and our generous sponsors. The sponsors who support this event include Wells Fargo, CSUN, Cathay Bank, Pierce College, Van Nuys Los Angeles World Airport, LA Mission College, Goodwill of Southern California, Glendale Community College, Express Employment Services, Wells Fargo, Maximus, Los Angeles Valley College, Pacific West Bank and the San Fernando Valley Business Journal.
Guests can register for the free virtual summit here, or call (818) 379-7000 for additional details. For more information on these projects and the mission of the Alliance in general, please visit our website.
The Valley Economic Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of business, government, education, and community leaders. Our mission is to engage and unite Valley stakeholders to raise standards of living and economic vitality across the San Fernando Valley, a five-city region encompassing Burbank, Calabasas, Glendale, Los Angeles, and San Fernando. This region consists of more than 1.9 million residents, over 160,000 businesses and covering more than 350 square miles. To learn more about The Valley Economic Alliance, visit TheValley.net.
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