15 Dec The Valley Economic Alliance Installs 84 Board Members at Annual Meeting
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2022
Media Contact:
Sonya Kay Blake
sblake@economicalliance.org
818-379-7000 ext. 106
The Valley Economic Alliance Installs 84 Board Members at Annual Meeting
Calabasas, California –The Valley Economic Alliance capped off a strong year of accomplishments by installing 14 new board members during its annual meeting, along with 70 returning board members who will serve three-year terms. The installation ceremony, which was officiated by California Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, took place this morning at the Calabasas City Hall Founders Hall. Representatives from the organization’s five partner cities– Burbank, Calabasas, Glendale, Los Angeles, and San Fernando – were also in attendance to share annual reports detailing their respective economic development milestones.
Speakers who delivered remarks and introduced their city’s annual report videos included:
City of San Fernando City Manager Nick Kimball
City of Los Angeles Economic Policy Director Leila Lee
City of Glendale Mayor Pro Tem Dan Brotman
City of Calabasas Mayor David Shapiro
City of Burbank Vice Mayor Konstantine Anthony
While presenting the Alliance’s long-term vision for the San Fernando Valley, President and CEO Sonya Kay Blake remarked on the progression of its community revitalization project, along with the emergence of the Tech Talent Connect workforce development program being developed with the four community colleges in the Valley region. “It is our privilege to collaborate with local government leaders to promote small business growth, walkable neighborhoods, and easily obtainable housing options for a strong workforce in close proximity to beneficial amenities,” she said. “Through our Business Assistance Program, we are all working toward building a thriving Valley community characterized by businesses that can readily increase revenues, decrease expenses, access capital, and leverage real estate.”
To highlight the effectiveness of its Business Assistance Program, the Alliance was pleased to recognize KisClean Green Cleaning Supplies, a small Black-owned and family-operated business benefiting from its participation this past year. KisClean owner Phillip Nzuwah emigrated from a tiny village in Zimbabwe and gravitated to starting a cleaning business when he reached the United States. From there, he began to manufacture green cleaning products and has benefitted from the free business assistance provided by Alliance business advisors and Executives-in-Residence. “The Alliance has helped me so much to build my business,” Nzuwah said during his remarks, “I am so happy to have found such a resource in our community.”
Officers for The Valley Economic Alliance’s Board of Directors include Fred Gaines, chair; Armida Colmenares-Stafford, first vice chair; Kathy McIntyre, secretary; and Thomas Ohlgren, treasurer.
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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