11 Dec The Valley Economic Alliance marks 25 years at “Shift Happens” Conference on January 11th!
The Valley Economic Alliance marked the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the organization in the wake of the Northridge Earthquake at the “Are you Prepared? Shift Happens!” Conference on January 11, 2019 at California State University, Northridge’s (CSUN) Student Union Center.
The resiliency and disaster preparedness conference highlighted experts and presentations on how the community should prepare to face the “Big One” and ways to shift our attention and resources immediately to ensure our people and property are safe.
CSUN President Dr. Dianne F. Harrison, Dr. Yan Dearcy, Dean of CSUN College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Dr. Thomas E. Backer, Executive Director of CSUN Valley Nonprofit Resources delivered opening remarks and welcomed guests to the campus. City of Calabasas Mayor David Shapiro discussed the recent Woolsey Fires that burned 94,949 acres and destroyed 1,643 structures.
Senator Robert M. Hertzberg also recognized David Fleming during the breakfast program,
for his leadership and commitment to the Valley. David Fleming is a Founder and Chair Emeritus of The Valley Economic Alliance and Senior Advisor to the Senator.
Guests moved from breakfast to various presentation tracks. Officer Larry Ballesteros with City of Glendale Police Department presented preparedness basics for smaller organizations, moderated by Dr. Backer with Valley Nonprofit Resources.
The “Being Prepared Experts” track included presentations on Preparing for a Large-Scale Disaster by Deputy Chief Trevor M. Richmond, Operations Valley Bureau, Los Angeles Fire Department; Practical Ways to Ensure the Safety of your Business and Home by Captain III Bryan Lium, Commanding Officer, Los Angeles Police Department Devonshire Division; and Building a Stronger City by Catherine Nuezca-Gaba, Director of Government and Community Relations with City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. The panel was moderated by Annie Collins, Emergency Preparedness Planner, Kaiser Permanente.
The “Business Resiliency” track included Preparing for Business Operations after an Earthquake by Bill Allen, CEO of Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation and the launch of their new guide; Preparing a Disaster Recovery Program & Reviewing your Business Income Coverage by Danone Simpson, President and CEO of Montage Insurance Solutions; and Building Resilience in Your Organization by Norma Vega, Chief Strategy and External Relations Officer, American Red Cross Los Angeles. Panel moderator was Lisa A. Foley, ASLI.
The “Utilities and Communications” track featured Glenn Pomeroy, CEO, California Earthquake Authority and presentation on Leveraging Advanced Meter Data to Enhance Operations & Benefit Customers by David Mercer, Network, Technology and Operations Manager, Southern California Gas Company. The panel was moderated by Tamara Gurney, President, Mission Valley Bank.
Gregg Sherkin, Senior Vice President and Corporate Philanthropy and Community Relations of Wells Fargo Bank kicked off the luncheon and introduced keynote speaker, Stephen Jordan. Stephen is CEO of the Institute for Sustainable Development and leads the non-profit “action tank” that promotes innovation and public-private partnerships for sustainable and inclusive long-term recovery, resilience and transformation.
The conference was sponsored by Wells Fargo, Montage Insurance Solutions, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, SoCalGas, Kaiser Permanente, Mission Valley Bank, California Earthquake Authority, Daily News, San Fernando Valley Business Journal and The San Fernando Valley Sun.
Exhibitors included Boy Scouts of America, SOS Survival Products, CMTC, Mike’s Roofing and Building, CalCAP Seismic Safety Loan Program, San Fernando Valley Employer Advisory Council, Bank of America, Business Accelerator Program/C Level Roundtable, Women’s Collaborative Mentoring Program, Yuloff Creative, San Fernando Valley Partnership Inc and West Valley Warner Center Chamber of Commerce.
