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Contra Costa Council News
The Contra Costa Council is a public policy advocacy organization
that promotes the economic vitality of Contra Costa County and the region.
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Upcoming Events |
Congressman Jerry McNerney Presentation: Washington issues that impact the 11th District and the economic recovery
Tuesday, June 30
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Crow Canyon Country Club
711 Silver lake Drive, Danville
Questions? Contact the Council office at 925-246-1880, fax 925-674-1654.
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25th Annual Contra Costa Council Golf Tournament
Monday, August 17
Round Hill Country Club, 3169 Round Hill Road, Alamo
Always a great event -- please join us!
Foursomes: $1,200; individual players: $300
Sponsorship packages available!
Watch for a registration flyer in your inbox.
For information or to RSVP, contact the Council office at 925-246-1880. | |
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Share the news about the Council!
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News & Comment
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Rand Swenson of ConocoPhillips is flanked by outgoing Council Chair Ed Shaffer, at left, and Mark Hughes.
Jim Brandt, Mike Erwin, Mark Hughes and ConocoPhillips honored with Council
awards
Special awards presented at the Contra
Costa Council's Annual Installation and Awards Dinner on June 3 went to Vice
President-Events Jim Brandt, who received the Distinguished Service Award, and Social
Responsibility Task Force Co-chairs Mike Erwin and Mark Hughes, who shared the Outstanding
Task Force Chair Award. A capacity crowd enjoyed the festive evening at the
Lafayette Park Hotel.
ConocoPhillips Rodeo Refinery Manager
Rand Swenson accepted the 2009 Contra Costa Medal Award from outgoing Council
Chair Ed Shaffer. The annual award recognizes outstanding service to the
Council and the community by a company and its representatives.
Following reflections on the past year
by Ed Shaffer, Council President and CEO Linda Best
complimented Shaffer for his "cool head" and reasoned decisions. "Ed continued
to foster inclusiveness in our organization. He is also a good writer," said
Best, "He has a knack for expressing important issues."
Best also recognized outgoing VP-Membership Services Vicky DeYoung in
addition to outgoing Board members, Phil Arndt, Larry Beerman, Mark Berkowitz,
Michael Billeci, Bob Fredianelli, Paul Menaker, Dan Muller, Aaron Silva and Sandi Small.
Incoming
Board members, all of whom were introduced, include Ken Dami,
Tesoro; Mark Davis, Bank of America; Michael Fenley, Sunvalley; Jim Foley,
Wells Fargo; Hank Fore, Comcast; Frank Madigan, PMI; Bielle Moore, Contra Costa
Board of Realtors; Kit Niemeyer, Kaiser Permanente; George Opacic, PG&E;
Ben Slocum, UnitedHealthcare; Tom Taggart, PMI and Peggy White, Diablo Regional
Arts Association.
Incoming Council Chair Cheryll LeMay and new executive officers installed at annual dinner
Incoming Contra Costa Council Chair Cheryll LeMay and the 2009-2010 executive officers
were installed on June 3 at the annual dinner event. Along with LeMay, the Council's
Executive Committee members include George Smith,
Chair-elect of the Board; Terry Bowen, VP-Task Forces; Ron Wetter, VP-Task
Forces; Keith Archuleta, VP-Finance; David Bowlby, VP-Events; Jim Brandt, VP-Membership Services; Bob Brown, VP-Communications; Peter McGaw; Chief Legal
Counsel; and Ed Shaffer, Immediate Past Chair of the Board.
In her remarks, LeMay noted that nine years ago when she
joined the Council, "It never occurred to me that I would be standing here [as
Chair]." A counselor at Diablo
Valley College, LeMay said she expects that many of the same issues that were part of the current
year's discussion will be on the Council's agenda in 2009-2010. Noting the
largest and best educated segment of Contra Costa's workforce is aging, she
hopes to increase the Council's awareness of and advocacy for education and
workforce preparation.
The Council thanks event sponsors Archer Norris, Chevron, NECA-IBEW, John Muir Health, Kaiser Permanente, PG&E, Shell Martinez Refinery and Tesoro.
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Spotlight on Small Business
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The Contra Costa Council's Small Business Award winners represent 13 Chambers of Commerce.
Best small businesses honored at the Council's Ninth Annual Awards Luncheon
The stories were the best part of this year's Small Business Awards Luncheon. And what heartfelt stories they were.
Storytellers at the Council's ninth annual luncheon included
Master of Ceremonies Mark Quinn, Regional Director
of the U.S. Small Business Administration, James Sheppard of Vetrazzo, and the
13 Chamber of Commerce representatives and small businesses honored at the May
15 luncheon at the Concord Hilton.
Keynoter James Sheppard told how he built his Richmond manufacturing
company, Vetrazzo, into a thriving business and a Bay
Area model for sustainability. Established in Berkeley in 1996 by a visionary
and environmentalist, the
company transforms recycled glass into one-of-a kind surfaces used for
countertops, tabletops, flooring and wall cladding.
Thirteen Contra Costa
County small-business owners, all nominated by
their local Chamber of Commerce, described how they developed outstanding
businesses while also contributing to their community. Many of the entrepreneurs talked about why their businesses were so important to them and why strong small businesses help make better places to live.
The popular
annual event, which is organized by the Council's Small Business &
Entrepreneur Task Force, is held to complement SBA's National Small
Business Week, May 16 to
23.
Award winners included Francene Anderson of
Mary Kay, Walnut Creek Chamber; Jerry and Jan Feagley, Feagley Realtors,
Richmond Chamber; Tom MacDonald, Chateau Home Care, Pleasant Hill Chamber;
Primo Quesada, Ramar Foods, Pittsburg Chamber; Carlos Rangel, Arno Kober and
Gregory Hayes, Shelby's Restaurant, Orinda Chamber; Javier and Jacqueline
Galdon, The UPS Store, Moraga Chamber; Ron and Steve Palsa, Minuteman Press,
Lafayette Chamber; Alexandra De Avalon, Avalon School of Massage, Hispanic Chamber;
Dr. Betty Fong and Dr. Yvonne Chu-Hyland, North Shore Dental, Hercules Chamber;
Joe and Marsha Conwill, Tradeway Stores, El Cerrito Chamber;
Don and John Ouimet, Ouimet Brothers Concord Funeral Home, Concord Chamber; Bernie
Cabrera, Queen B's Quilt Shop, Antioch Chamber; and Fadhila Holman, California
Pacific Federal Credit Union, Martinez Chamber.
This year's luncheon was presented by the Council in conjunction with Chevron, Contra Costa
Newspapers and Wells Fargo and participating Contra Costa Chambers of Commerce.
Sponsors included AMERITAC, Inc., AT&T, Comcast, First Republic Bank and Kelly
& Associates, LLP, supported by OBDC/Small Business Finance and the San
Francisco Business Times. |
View from the Chair
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 Don't lose sight of long-term goals
by Ed Shaffer, 2008-2009
Chair, Contra Costa Council
I met a man last
week who said he was born during the "Great Depression." That made me wonder
what history will call our current economic woes. It also made me realize that
while we need to deal with the serious immediate problems facing the
county, state and nation, we can't lose sight of our long-term goals. This is
the challenge facing the Council and each member.
During the past year, we participated in planning for the
Concord Naval Weapons Station, working with interest groups to achieve
compromise and a rational planning process, while urging the City to achieve
the area's full potential and recognize that its land use decisions will shape
and define Concord
and the county into the next century. We can't allow this planning effort to be
sidetracked by short-term economic problems.
While dealing with the immediate fiscal crisis and its
effect on local budgets, we also took an active role promoting reform at the
state level. CCUSA speakers gave us special insight into the "California
Forward" proposals to stabilize state finances. The Governor's Advisor on Jobs
and Economic Development asked to come speak about plans to stimulate employment
and fiscal reform. We heard from well-respected economist (and gubernatorial
candidate) Tom Campbell about his analysis of economic problems and potential
solutions. The Council enjoys a growing reputation as an objective and
professional sounding board and source of advice.
Despite difficult economic times, the Council continues to
thrive. Our Task Forces put on special programs of interest to our members and
the community. We attract well-respected speakers, and attendance is high at
every event. Council members show their support in many ways, volunteering
their time and energy to help achieve this success. It has been especially
gratifying to see the Social Responsibility Task Force grow, and to witness the
energy of the Small Business Task Force putting together two major events this
spring ("Accessing Capital Now" and the "Small Business Awards").
I salute Linda Best,
Terry Shoaff, Nanette Fukushima and Molly Walker for their tireless efforts keeping the
Council operating smoothly. Linda has been the public face and voice of the
Council, and is largely responsible for the respect and high visibility we now
enjoy. It has been a pleasure working with everyone on the Board of Directors
and the Executive Committee, and I wish Cheryll LeMay the best
of luck taking over as Chair. I look forward to watching new members of the
Board and E.C. take on more active roles--that is what keeps the Council
strong.
My parting words: Remember
there is no such thing as "too much
chocolate" or "too chocolaty"!
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Advocacy Action
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Council
supports Antioch Schools' multiple pathways grant application to Irvine
Foundation/ConnectEd
The Contra Costa Council supports the Antioch
Unified School
District's recent grant application to the Irvine Foundation's
ConnectEd
nonprofit organization, whose aim is to expand the number of educational
pathways that prepare California's
high school students for college and career.
In a
letter to Deborah Sims, Ed.D., superintendent of the Antioch Unified
School District, the
Council noted that the work of the Council's Workforce Development/Education
Task Force "is to strengthen partnerships between industry and
education, public agencies and community organizations to foster a better
understanding of the educational issues common to business and the education
community.
"Our work is to identify strategic initiatives that will
increase the supply of well-qualified workers in support of the major drivers
of the Contra Costa County's
economy. Your development of multiple pathways consistent with industry sectors
which reflect high-wage, high-skill, high-demand careers in the local economy,
ensures we are able to create a strong workforce pipeline from high school into
post-secondary education, training and careers," wrote April Treece, Co-chair of the Council's
Workforce Development/Education Task Force and Project Director of the Contra
Costa Economic Partnership's Workforce Initiative.
On March 5, a team of the Antioch school district's senior
administrators, site leaders and high school teachers attended the
Partnership's "Building Engineering Pathways in Contra Costa" informational
meeting. Antioch's
leadership team took information garnered from the March event and approved the
initial step toward establishing a pathway program in engineering and
technology in the 2010-11 school year.
"The AUSD leadership team has shown its commitment to school
change in concrete ways--a commitment that is not based upon new funding
resources alone," wrote Treece, who has served as a member of the site
visitation team participating in two exemplary multiple pathway high school
visits in other parts of the state. "These experiences confirmed that the work
established by AUSD in this effort is well-founded and sustainable beyond a single
source of funding."
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Other News, Events & Briefings
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 Congressman
Jerry McNerney headlines June 30 Council luncheon
Congressman Jerry McNerney will provide an update on the
latest issues in Washington
that impact the 11th District and the economic recovery at his luncheon
presentation on Tuesday, June 30, at 11:30 a.m., at the Crow Canyon Country
Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive,
Danville.
For questions or reservations, please contact the Council office at 925-246-1880.
Save the date: Council's annual golf tourney is
August 17
The 25th Annual Contra Costa Council Golf Tournament will be
held on Monday, August 17, at Round Hill Country Club, 3169 Round Hill Road, Alamo.
Foursomes are $1,200; individual players are $300. For more information, contact
the Council office at 925-246-1880.
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Task Force Briefings
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Upcoming briefings . . .
New and
prospective Council members are welcome to attend Task Force meetings. Please notify a Task Force chair prior to
the meeting to confirm time and location.
Here is a list
of June and July briefings, as currently scheduled:
Transportation Task
Force
. . . Tues., June 2, 8 a.m. . . . PMI Building, 3003 Oak Road, Walnut Creek
(across from Pleasant Hill BART). Panel with Jim Bourgart, deputy secretary,
Transportation and Infrastructure, Business, Transportation and Housing Agency;
Mark Watts, legislative advocate with California
Strategies and Andy Fremier, deputy director, Bay Area Toll Authority, MTC.
Next meeting is Tues., July 7. Contacts: Hank Haugse
and Bob Brown
Health
Care Task Force .
. . . . Thurs., June 4, 8:30 to 10 a.m. . . . Morgan Miller Blair, 1331 N. California Blvd., Suite 200, Walnut
Creek. Update on health care for undocumented
residents and discussion of the Healthcare Trends Report for 2010 by Applied
Management Systems, Inc. (Next
meeting is Thursday, July 9. Please check with the Task Force co-chairs to
confirm the meeting date.) Contacts: Ron Wetter (925-372-1475) and Frank Puglisi, Jr. (925-683-6091).
Environmental/Manufacturing Task Force . . . Fri., June 5, 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. . . .
Brown and Caldwell, 201 N. Civic Drive, Suite 300, Walnut Creek. At the request of the Council's
Health Care Task Force, the meeting featured a presentation by Dawna Vann,
Contra Costa Health Services, of a video, "Unnatural Causes: Is
Inequity Making Us Sick?" (Next meeting will be Fri., July 10.) Contacts: Peter McGaw and George Smith
Land Use Task Force . . . Wed., June 10, 8 to 9 a.m.
. . . Morrison &
Foerster, 101 Ygnacio Valley Road,
Suite 450 (across from Walnut Creek BART). Richmond
City Manager Bill Lindsay offers an update on the City of Richmond. May discuss the Task Force's Land
Use Policy Paper and the Association of Bay Area Government's "Projections
2009" proposal/process. Next meeting is Wed., July 8. Contacts: Dan Muller and Mike McGill
Water Task
Force . . . Tues.,
June 16, 8:15 to 10 a.m. . . .
Morrison & Foerster, 101
Ygnacio Valley Road, Suite 450 (south of Walnut
Creek BART). (Check with the Task Force co-chairs for details.) Recently heard
from Ellen Hanak, Director of Research for the Public Policy Institute of
California. PPIC has been invited back for the Tues., July 21 Task Force
meeting; details to be confirmed. Contacts: Bob Whitley and Mitch Randall
Workforce Development & Education
Task Force . . .
Thurs., June 18, 8:30 to 10 a.m. . . .
JFK University,
100 Ellinwood, Room 209, Pleasant Hill.
(Check with the Task Force co-chairs for details.) Recently heard from Dr.
Deborah Blue on the Contra Costa Community College District's strategic
planning process. Next meeting is Thurs., July 15. Contacts: April Treece
and Keith Archuleta
Small
Business & Entrepreneur Task Force . . . Tues.,
June 23, 7:30 a.m. . . . Smith Barney, 2175 N. California Blvd., Suite 500, Walnut Creek . . . (Check with the Task Force co-chairs for details.) Produced the successful annual
Small Business Awards event on May 15. Next meeting is Tues., July 28.
Contacts: Stuart Bolinger and Zachary Sahar
Economic
Development Task Force
. . . Wed., June 24, 8 to 9 a.m. . . . . City National Bank, 2001 North Main Street, Walnut Creek, Second floor. Heard recently
from Alex Greenwood on revisions to the City of Concord's Economic Vitality Strategy. Next meeting is Wed., July 22. Contacts:
Gary Craft and Mike Conlon
Social
Responsibility Task Force
. . . Thurs., June 25, 8 to 9:30 a.m. . . . Chapman
University, 2950 Buskirk Ave., Room 307, Walnut Creek. (Check with
the Task Force co-chairs for details.) Recent presentation by Pleasant Hill
City Manager June Catalano on the impact of the budget on the city and its
services. Next meeting is Thurs., July 23. Contacts: Mike Erwin
and Mark Hughes
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Become a Member!
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Join the Contra Costa Council and help guide our economy and quality of life.
Visit our website or call 925-246-2880. |
Our Mission
The mission of the Contra Costa Council is to provide advocacy on public policy issues affecting the economic vitality and quality of life in Contra Costa County.
The Council engages on issues of critical importance to the business community and residents of Contra Costa County, balancing the needs of a diverse county though policy efforts that provide for economic development while retaining our quality of life. The Council also produces top-tier events, including Contra Costa USA, the premier business event in the County, featuring major national speakers as well as providing a local perspective on current events.
The Council retains a close relationship with local, state and federal elected officials. These relationships provide regular opportunities for our members to interact with their political representatives and other business leaders.
For more information about the Council, please visit our website.
To comment about items in this newsletter, please contact Linda Best at the Contra Costa Council.
This issue was edited for the Contra Costa Council by Molly A. Walker of Walker Communications.
© 2009 Contra Costa Council | |
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