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Upcoming Events
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14th Annual Contra Costa/Tri-Valley Small Business Awards Luncheon
Honoring award-winning business owners selected by the Chambers of Commerce throughout Contra Costa County and the Tri-Valley
Presented by the East Bay Leadership Council Small Business & Entrepreneurial Task Force
Friday, May 9
11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Hilton Concord,
1970 Diamond Boulevard, Concord
Keynote by Dennis Erokan of the Placemaking Group;
Dana Ashley, emcee
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California 16th Assembly District Candidates Forum Luncheon
Newell Arnerich, Catharine Baker, Steve Glazer and Tim Sbranti
Wednesday, May 14
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Diablo Country Club, 1700 Clubhouse Road, Diablo
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East Bay Leadership Council Transportation Task Force Commute Study Forum
Christopher Thornberg, Arthur Dao, Randy Iwasaki and Tom Terrill
Wednesday, May 28 3 - 5 p.m., 2600 Camino Ramon (formerly AT&T), The California Room, San Ramon
Register here.
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East Bay Leadership Council Installation Banquet
Thursday, June 12 Contra Costa Country Club, Pleasant Hill
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State of Contra Costa County Luncheon Address
Wednesday, June 18
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East Bay Leadership Council/Western States Petroleum Association 30th Annual Golf Tournament
Monday, August 11
Round Hill Country Club, Alamo
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4th Annual East Bay/Tri-Valley Philanthropy Awards Breakfast
Thursday, Nov. 6
Blackhawk Automotive Museum, Danville
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Questions?
For information about any East Bay Leadership Council event, please contact Sherri Boyle or Terry Shoaff or call 925.246.1880, fax 925.674.1654. ....................
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Join the Council
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What We Offer ...
Significant influence through involvement of a critical mass of top business leaders.
Collective action on issues that matter to your company.
Direct access to top federal, state and regional political leaders and stakeholder groups.
Valuable connections to the influential business and civic leaders in the region.
Credibility through well researched, fact-based positions and policy recommendations.
Regional policy expertise through internal experts, external networks and partner organizations.
Execution ability by an organization with a proven ability to get results and achieve needed policy outcomes.
For more information, contact Tom Terrill at 925.246.1880.
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| THE BIG NEWS | |  Kristin Connelly named to lead the Council and the Economic Partnership
Tom Terrill to head implementation of Regional Economic Strategy Plan
In the next step in a reorganization that started with a name change in May 2013, the East Bay Leadership Council announced in April that Lafayette resident, attorney, policy advisor and strategist Kristin Connelly has been named president and CEO. Currently chief of staff for Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Chair Karen Mitchoff, Connelly will also serve as executive director of the Contra Costa Economic Partnership, the foundation that provides outcome-based programs for job creation, infrastructure, workforce training and public policy research.
Connelly succeeds Tom Terrill, who has held the Council and Economic Partnership leadership positions since last May. She will assume her new role by June 1, with Terrill transitioning to a full-time role as program director of the Economic Partnership. In this capacity, he will lead the implementation of a Regional Economic Strategy Plan.
"We are pleased to welcome Kristin in a new leadership role for the Council and the Economic Partnership," said Council Chair Terry Bowen. "This is the logical next step in building the team to implement our regional advocacy strategy. Kristin has the perfect set of skills, energy, connections, vision and understanding of our advocacy issues to take the Council forward.
"Tom's skills and background with the organization have allowed our board and officers to establish well-thought-out strategies to approach a wide range of public policy issues and membership growth. After thoughtfully guiding the Council through our reorganization, Tom can now focus his energies on developing programs for the Economic Partnership that will have a large and positive impact. With such talented leadership, the Council and Partnership are allies in the economic recovery of our region," said Bowen.
(See our April 18 press release.) |
| APRIL 25 LUNCHEON RECAP | |
 | | State Senator Mark DeSaulnier with Economic Development Task Force Co-chair Jeff Stemke |
Mark DeSaulnier says state of the state is rosier than the forecast
"The state of the state is really good," State Senator Mark DeSaulnier told the East Bay Leadership Council luncheon audience in his Sacramento Update on April 25, noting that even California's legislative analyst had observed that the state's economic forecast is not rosy enough. So much of the economy relies on personal investment and we are now in a surplus environment, said DeSaulnier.
The senator added that the much needed "rainy day fund is going to take us awhile." The other bad news is that there is a pent-up demand for services due to earlier cutbacks in welfare reform. With the recent redefinition of how the Obama administration defines poverty, California's official poverty level has increased from 13 to 25%. DeSaulnier, who chairs the Senate's Transportation and Housing committee, also cited huge funding challenges for state transportation projects.
The state legislature is made up of a very interesting, dedicated and talented group of people, the vast majority of whom have high ethical standards, he noted. Whereas you used to have an advantage as a legislator coming from Los Angeles, the Bay Area now has the larger number of elected representatives in leadership roles.
In response to a question, the senator said California has been a leader in climate change. He called the Clean Air Act "a great piece of legislation." He noted he would love to see the Los Vaqueros Reservoir expanded, although he said the East Bay delegation is not supportive of that plan.
"I think we should be more focused on things that work," he added. "The number one long-term investment needs to be education and a knowledge economy."
The Council thanks co-host IBEW Local 302 and sponsors AT&T, Contra Costa Association of REALTORS and John Muir Health. |
| CEO VIEWPOINT | |  Finding ways to tell our story: advocating for an advocacy organization
By Tom Terrill, President and CEO, East Bay Leadership Council
We are proud of the East Bay Leadership Council and our partner, the Contra Costa Economic Partnership. Both business organizations are dedicated to creating a better tomorrow for our region. Each collaborates with other partners to achieve economic vitality and to improve quality of life.
While the Council has a public policy advocacy role within which we seek to understand and weigh in on policy issues that affect economic vitality, the Partnership has a broader mission and is currently developing a long-term plan to enhance the stature of our region.
These partner organizations have laudable goals, yet what we do and who we are is not understood by many of our citizens. Many think the Council is a government organization or a quasi-government entity, perhaps even funded by their taxes. This is not the case. Another misconception is that we are directed by real estate interests, oil companies or a one-party agenda. Again, not the case. In fact, many people and organizations weigh in when we seek consensus to advocate on an issue, and sometimes we make the decision to take no stand, which is different from not deciding what to do or doing nothing.
We are, first and foremost, a highly collaborative private-sector business organization. Our membership includes business and nonprofit organizations as well as representatives of government, education and labor. And we are all of those entities.
As a director, member or even friend of the Council, you demonstrate commitment and belief in our cause(s) when you volunteer your time on the board or serve on a task force or committee. You show your passion for our work when you debate the issues at our always lively board and task force meetings.
We want more people to know about us. We want our story told.
We've been brainstorming about how best to get the word out about who we are and what we do, but we need your help. As a member and friend of the Council, we need you to tell the story of the Council's plans and programs in your own words. Please send us your stories so we can share them.
Here are some other things you can do to help get the word out.
- Weigh in on policy issues and share decisions broadly with business colleagues and friends.
- Share the thinking about why advocacy decisions have been made.
- Ask your friends and neighbors what they want from a business organization that is advocating for quality of life issues. Tell us what they say.
- Learn as much as you can about the Council's projects and initiatives.
- If you're active in other civic organizations like Kiwanis or Rotary, for example, ask to be a guest speaker and share your enthusiasm about the Council's work.
- Help us share our positions with legislators and other elected and appointed officials.
- Join our Membership Committee and reach out to other potential members.
- Join us on social media and help us influence community leaders who are there.
There are many avenues for advocacy. The Council will be more effective in achieving its goals if our story is told by the people who really know it. Thank you for helping us become more visible and for making the lives of all of us even better.
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ADVOCACY
| | Contra Costa Community College District's Measure E bond proposal supports our economy
"The Contra Costa Community College District and its colleges are important to the economic vitality of Contra Costa County and offer an essential safety net for our community-providing affordable higher education for local students to transfer to four-year institutions and obtain the training needed for our future workforce." That was the message of East Bay Leadership Council President and CEO Tom Terrill in his April 18 letter to John E. Márquez, college district board president and Measure E campaign chair, in endorsing the district's Measure E bond measure, which will be on the June 3 ballot for voter consideration.
Measure E would authorize $450 million in new bonds, which the district plans to repay over the next 25 years. Measure E funds would be used to:
- update classrooms and labs to maintain high-quality career training programs in fields including healthcare, science, technology and public safety;
- improve our colleges, helping students prepare for 21st century jobs and careers or to transfer to four-year universities;
- update facilities and classrooms for science, technology and training programs in nursing, dental hygiene and health administration;
- make college facilities accessible to people with disabilities; and
- update and maintain technology for modern, hands-on career training
An independent oversight committee ensures the monies are spent as promised, consistent with prudent, fiscally responsible practices. Support for the Measure E bond proposal was recommended by the Education/Workforce Development Task Force.
Doctors Hospital needs a solution to continue providing critical care
While the Council's Board of Directors supported the West Contra Costa Healthcare District Measure C parcel tax measure, the mail-in ballot due May 6 was unfortunately unsuccessful. The measure asked West County residents to approve a parcel tax of 14 cents per square foot on developed land in West Contra Costa, which would have benefited Doctors Medical Center (DMC) in San Pablo.
Doctors Hospital has been an integral part of the East Bay business community and has helped ensure the overall health and quality of life in West Contra Costa and the entire region. The Council remains concerned about the impacts of possible closure and looks for all stakeholders to forge ahead to find a solution to continue providing quality and critically needed health care in West Contra Costa County.
Modernization of the Chevron Refinery will enhance reliability and lower emissions
The proposed Chevron Richmond Refinery Modernization Project will create new jobs and a safer working environment, result in lower emissions and cleaner air, and promote economic vitality and quality of life in the East Bay Region. The project was recommended for support by the Environmental/Manufacturing Task Force.
In a letter to Sheryl Lane, chair of the Richmond Planning Commission, Council President and CEO Tom Terrill wrote that the project will enhance the refinery's reliability by replacing some of the oldest processing equipment with newer, cleaner and inherently safer equipment and technologies. The project will ensure there is no net increase in emissions of greenhouse gases, criteria pollutants or health risks associated with toxic air contaminants. In addition, it will create as many as 1,000 new construction jobs and 500 support positions, with priority given to local workers.
"Significantly, the project will implement a commitment by Chevron to go beyond the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, which will further minimize already less-than-significant impacts," continued Terrill. He noted the EIR concludes the project is environmentally superior to any of the alternatives evaluated, including a "no project" alternative.
Bonilla bill provides funding to increase primary care practitioners
The East Bay Leadership Council supports Assembly Bill 2458 (Bonilla), which establishes the Graduate Medical Education Fund to finance additional positions at residency programs in California hospitals and health centers. The bill allocates an additional $2.84 million annually for three years to residency programs, plus additional money for the state's general fund. Board support for the legislation was recommended by the Council's Health Care Task Force.
"AB 2458 takes a big step to address our lack of primary care practitioners by increasing our ability to train California physicians in this field. Without primary care residency slots, we cannot hope to train more primary care physicians and meet the needs of our state," wrote Council President and CEO Tom Terrill to the Honorable Dr. Richard Pan, chair of the State Assembly Health Committee.
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TASK FORCE BRIEFINGS
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 | | Water, Environmental/Manufacturing and Land Use task force members discuss their thinking on the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) EIR and regional water policy at April 30 meeting. |
April and May meetings
New and prospective Council members are welcome to attend task force meetings. Please notify a task force co-chair prior to the meeting to confirm meeting topics, time and location, as details may change. To view task force agendas, policy papers and recent presentations, visit the task force pages on the Council website.
Water Task Force . . . Wednesday, April 30, 8 to 10 a.m. . . . JFK University, 100 Ellinwood Way, Room S-207, Pleasant Hill. A special joint task force meeting (including Economic Development, Environmental/Manufacturing and Land Use) to review and discuss a possible statement on the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) draft EIR. Next regular meeting is at Brown and Caldwell, 201 N. Civic Drive, Suite 300, Walnut Creek. Co-chairs: Ann Spaulding and Bob Whitley; Vice-chair: Gary Darling
Health Care Task Force . . . Thursday, May 1, 8:30 to 10 a.m. . . . Burr Pilger Mayer, 2001 North Main Street, Suite 360, Walnut Creek. Jerry Garfield presented Leading Change in Healthcare: Constructive Advice and Cautionary Tales from Healthcare Professionals. Also heard from Patricia Tanquary of Contra Costa Health and discussed advocacy for Doctors Hospital, health legislation and other policy issues. Next meeting is Thursday, June 5. Co-chairs: Steve Van Wart and Mitchell Zack
Environmental/Manufacturing Task Force . . . Friday, May 2, 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. . . . Brown and Caldwell, 201 N. Civic Drive, Suite 300, Walnut Creek. Steve Lesher and Gordon Johnson discussed the Shell Martinez Refinery Greenhouse Gas Reduction Project. Participated in the special joint task force meeting April 30 with Water, Economic Development and Land Use task forces to consider the BDCP EIR. Next meeting is Friday, June 6. Co-chairs: Peter McGaw and George Smith
Workforce Development/Education Task Force . . . Wednesday, May 7, 8:30 to 10 a.m. . . . Contra Costa Workforce Development Board, 300 Ellinwood Way, Bodega Room, Pleasant Hill. East Bay Broadband Consortium: Expanding high speed internet to ensure economic competitiveness, create jobs and support sustainable communities, presented by Linda Best. Job Opportunities in Advanced Manufacturing in Contra Costa County: key findings from study, presented by Jeff Stemke. Next meeting is Wednesday, June 4. Co-chairs: Joanne Durkee and Kathleen Robinson
Small Business/Entrepreneur Task Force . . . Friday, May 9, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. . . . Hilton Concord, 1970 Diamond Boulevard, Concord. 14th Annual Small Business Awards Luncheon (see Upcoming Events). Regular meetings are held at De La Housaye and Associates, 1655 N. Main Street, Suite 260, Walnut Creek. Co-chairs: Angela De La Housaye and Jenny Kohler
Land Use Task Force . . . Wednesday, May 14, 8 to 9:30 a.m. . . . Archer Norris, 2033 North Main Street, Suite 800, Walnut Creek. Participated in the special joint task force meeting April 30 with Water, Economic Development and Environmental/Manufacturing task forces to consider the BDCP EIR. Co-chairs: Mike McGill and Ed Shaffer
Economic Development Task Force . . . Wednesday, May 28, 8 to 10 a.m. Brandman University, 2950 Buskirk Avenue, Room 307, Walnut Creek. Participated in the special joint task force meeting April 30 with Water, Environmental / Manufacturing and Land Use task forces to consider the BDCP EIR. Next meeting is Wednesday, May 28, when Linda Best will discuss the East Bay Broadband Initiative. Co-chairs: Jodi Avina and Jeff Stemke
Transportation Task Force . . . Wednesday, May 28, 3 to 5 p.m. . . . 2600 Camino Ramon (formerly AT&T), The California Room, San Ramon. Presenting the Contra Costa Economic Partnership 2014 Commute Study and Transportation Forum (see Upcoming Events). Register at eblccommute.eventbrite.com. Co-chairs: Roger Hughes and Ivy Morrison |
MEMBER NEWS
| | Jeff Stemke is new Economic Development Task Force co-chair
Jeff Stemke of Stemke Consulting Group has joined Jodi Avina of CFOs 2GO as co-chair of the Economic Development Task Force. Stemke succeeds longtime co-chair Gary Craft, who will continue to be involved in the task force.
Dr. Berna Aksu appointed Council director
Berna Aksu, Ph.D., associate professor in Saint Mary's College Graduate Business Program and director of the Center for the Regional Economy at the college, is a new director of the Council. She replaces Tomas Garcia-Arias, Ph.D., of Saint Mary's. |
NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS
| | Join an important conversation about health care decision-making
Conversations that Count, a panel discussion about end-of-life decision-making, will be held on Friday, May 30, from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., at the Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Drive, Pleasant Hill. The program is free, but registration is required.
Panelists include Sue Micheletti, chair, Hope Hospice, and COO, San Ramon Regional Medical Center; Donna Foliart, M.D. and palliative care physician, John Muir Health; Lisa Krieger, reporter, San Jose Mercury News; Karen Mitchoff, chair, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors; and LaVera Crawley, physician, ethicist and palliative care chaplain, moderator.
Today, too many people are dying in a way they wouldn't choose, leaving loved ones feeling burdened, guilty and uncertain. While we all desire to have our health care wishes honored and not to be a burden, many of us fail to have "the conversation" about this with loved ones before treatment decisions must be made. This panel will explore how members of our community have experienced these challenges and how "the conversation" can improve our quality of life.
Register for this free event or contact the Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association at (510) 654-5383, accma@accma.org. |
ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP'S STEM INITIATIVE
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 | | Grand Sweepstakes winners (from left) Emily Pang, Dougherty Valley High School; Reshma Karthikeyan, accepting award for Dhuvarakesh Karthikeyan, California High; Vasily Tremsin, Stanley Middle School; Julienne Sauer, Dougherty Valley High; Lekha Pillarisetti, Windemere Ranch Middle; and Jennifer Lee, Miramonte High. |
Future scientists and engineers show their stuff at regional competition
More than 125 employer representatives converged on Los Medanos College (LMC) on March 21 to judge close to 250 science and engineering projects from 27 middle and high schools in Contra Costa County. The setting was the 10th Annual Intel-affiliated Contra Costa County Science & Engineering Fair, which showcases students' original experiments and allows the region's budding scientists and engineers to demonstrate their knowledge and critical-thinking skills.
The three-day science competition is hosted by LMC and made possible by the generous contributions of Bio-Rad Laboratories, Chevron, John Muir Health, Lawrence Livermore National Securities, Dow Chemical and 10 other local businesses.
"I have talked to both middle and high school participants and I am amazed by their level of knowledge and their accomplishments," said Irene O'Sullivan, PE, associate engineer, Delta Diablo Sanitation District, who has participated many times in the event. "The fair is an important venue to support high-quality STEM exploration for our region's young people," she said.
More than 800 community members watched as 65 special awards were conferred, including over $5,500 in cash prizes. Seven "best in fair" Grand Sweepstakes awards were given to the top projects, which included four senior (grades 9-12) and three junior (grades 7-8) divisions. Senior Grand Sweepstakes winners go on to compete in the International Science & Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, May 11-16. The top 14 junior and senior science fair first place winners competed in the California State Science Fair in Los Angeles in late April. The top 16 junior division projects, including the Junior Grand Sweepstakes recipients, will compete in the national middle school science competition, Broadcom MASTERS, in Washington, D.C., in August.
For a full list of participants and awards, visit the Contra Costa Science Fair website at www.cccsef.org.
Discover Engineering! at Cal State East Bay Hayward Campus
The Economic Partnership's STEM Initiative team is working with Cal State East Bay engineering faculty and Project Lead the Way® (PLTW) Engineering Pathway teachers to offer a summer engineering residency June 22 to 27 for 60 PLTW students (primarily juniors) and 15 PLTW teachers from the West Contra Costa, Mt. Diablo, Pittsburg and Antioch unified school districts.
All schools are participating this spring in an online Brown University exploring engineering course. Students are being mentored in their classrooms once a week for six weeks by third-year Cal State Engineering College student Ambassadors.
Chevron Richmond Refinery and Chevron Global Partnerships & Programs are the presenting sponsors of this three-pronged pilot program as part of Chevron's California Partnership Initiative. |
| NEW MEMBERS | |
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Please welcome our new members! AECOM
2101 Webster Street, Suite 1900
Oakland, CA 94612
916.612.6137
A global provider of professional technical and management support services to a broad range of markets, including transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, water and government.
ASAP Professional Services
2682 Bishop Drive, Suite 116
San Ramon, CA 94583
925.829.2828
Providing superior staffing and training expertise in the private and government sectors, including Fortune 50 companies through small-business enterprises.
Children's Hospital & Research Center, Oakland 747 52nd Street
Oakland, CA 94609
510.428.3813
A leading academic pediatric medical center with nationally and internationally recognized medical staff able to treat the entire spectrum of pediatric disease. Its mission is to offer the highest quality care for all children, regardless of families' ability to pay, through clinical care, research, education and community benefit.
Cybernoor Corporation5000 Hopyard Road, Suite 470
Pleasanton, CA 94588
925.924.0400
Providing a unique combination of proprietary software and the top Oracle technical consults in the industry to improve and maintain the performance of your Oracle-based systems. Sherpa Business Development P.O. Box 2786
Danville, 94506
925.683.1685
Working with clients to design a customized, complete, marketing and selling system to ensure a steady stream of profitable customers, then acting as the project manager to implement the pieces and maintain a smooth-running marketing and selling system over time.
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ABOUT THE EAST BAY LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
The East Bay Leadership Council (formerly the Contra Costa Council) is a public policy advocacy organization that promotes the economic vitality and quality of life of the Greater East Bay region. The Council engages on issues of critical importance to the business community and residents, balancing the needs of a diverse region through policy efforts that provide for local and regional economic development while retaining our quality of life.
Through its task forces, the Council develops and supports policy positions to further its mission and sponsors educational forums for its members and the community.
For more information, please visit our website at www.eastbayleadershipcouncil.com.
To comment on items in this newsletter, please contact Tom Terrill at the East Bay Leadership Council.
This issue was edited for the East Bay Leadership Council by Molly A. Walker of Walker Communications.
© 2014 East Bay Leadership Council
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