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.

Contact Kristin Connelly or Terry Shoaff for more information or call 925.246.1880.

A warm June 12 evening at the Contra Costa Country Club provided the setting for the East Bay Leadership Council's annual Installation and Awards Dinner featuring bright, young scientists, highly contributive Council members and businesses, and new officers for the coming board year.

The program began with Rising Star Awards for Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair student winners from area high schools, who displayed and explained their impressive science fair projects to the evening's guests.

Installed as the 2014-2015 Executive Committee were Keith Archuleta of Emerald HPC International, chair; Andrew Sabey of Cox, Castle & Nicholson, chair-elect; Ken Mintz of AT&T, VP Talent & Workforce; Steve Van Wart of Tunbridge Associates, VP Economic Development & Jobs; A.J. Major of Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co., LLP, VP Finance; Ron Brown of Save Mount Diablo, VP Events; Bielle Moore of Richmond Sanitary/Republic Services, VP Engagement; Peggy White of the Diablo Regional Arts Association, VP Communications; Jim Brandt of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, VP Membership; Peter McGaw of Archer Norris, chief legal counsel; and Terry Bowen of Gray-Bowen, immediate past chair and VP Infrastructure. (A recent restructuring of the Council board netted two new Council officers.)

Accepting the East Bay Leadership Medal Award was Mark Davis, representing Bank of America, which was honored as an outstanding corporate citizen and for its service to the Council.

Two people received the Council's Distinguished Service Award for outstanding support to the community and the Council. Iris Archuleta, co-founder (with Keith Archuleta) of Emerald HPC International, was honored for her work as the architect of Emerald's Youth Intervention Network and the High Performing Communities (HPC) framework that brings best practices and training to bear for economic revitalization, crime prevention and redefining education. Gary Craft, principal of Craft Consulting Group, was saluted as a longtime Council director, co-chair of the Economic Development Task Force, and regulatory environment analyst for the Northern Waterfront project.

The Outstanding Task Force Chairs award was presented to Mike McGill and Ed Shaffer, who lead the Land Use Task Force and serve as the action team for business climate and regulatory environment for the Northern Waterfront project.

Outgoing Chair Terry Bowen outlined the Council's many accomplishments during the year, and suggested that all members should ask, "How can I support the Council's work?" "The Council is in great hands with Keith stepping in as chair. ... The organization continues to move the dial in its work," she said. Outgoing board members Ian Baird and Jeff Johnson were thanked for their service.

Incoming Chair Keith Archuleta eloquently commented that "the best leader is the one who serves best ... and organizations exist to serve. We are all in this together and the time is now," he said. He thanked his fellow board members and Tom Terrill for his outstanding and courageous leadership, and welcomed Kristin Connelly to her new role as Council president and CEO.

"Tonight is about saluting volunteers. This organization would not exist without volunteers," said Connelly. Commenting on the impressive students attending the dinner, she said, "We need to do everything we can to entice young scientists back to the East Bay."

(View photos of the Installation Dinner in our Photo Gallery.)

The Council thanks our generous sponsors, Chevron; Cox, Castle & Nicholson, LLP; Shell Martinez Refinery and Wells Fargo.

My vision is to renew the organization. It will continue to advocate on issues related to economic vitality and quality of life. My background in policy and law will help with our advocacy agenda, and my background and expertise in organizational development and strategic planning will help us develop an effective five-year strategic plan. I look forward to getting to work.

The incoming Council officers are terrific, and I appreciate Tom Terrill's generosity in the transition.

After 17 years of living elsewhere, including Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and New York, I would not want to live anywhere but here. The EBLC mission is personal to me. I am proud to be raising my family here. This is a great time for our region, and my hopes for making it even better are high.

(Contact Kristin Connelly directly at 925.246.1880.)

Please plan to join us on Monday, August 11, for the East Bay Leadership Council/Western States Petroleum Association 30th Annual Golf Tournament, which will be held at Round Hill Country Club in Alamo.

Here's the line-up:
9:30 a.m., Registration and Titlelist tent shopping
11 a.m., Shotgun start
4 p.m., No-host social hour
5 p.m., Gourmet dinner and awards ceremony

The tournament contributes substantially to the operating revenue of the Council, and serves to finance our programs and advocacy efforts. Please consider contributing prizes, sponsoring one or more events and volunteering to help -- unless you're organizing a foursome. It's always a great time!

For questions, contact Terry Shoaff at 925.246.1880. Please register at Eventbrite by August 6.

Nominations are now open for the East Bay Leadership Council's Fourth Annual Contra Costa/Tri-Valley Philanthropy Awards program, which honors outstanding contributions of time, leadership and financial support by businesses, individuals, families and nonprofit organizations throughout the East Bay. This year's annual awards breakfast will be held November 6 at the Blackhawk Automotive Museum in Danville.

The Nomination Form is now posted on the Council website and can be completed online. Deadline for nominations is Friday, September 5.

Award categories include

• Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist (small, medium and large companies); 
• Outstanding Philanthropist; 
• Outstanding Foundation or Community Grant Maker;
• Outstanding Collaborative Project;
• Volunteer of the Year;
• Next Generation Philanthropist; and  
• Lifetime Achievement. 

A prestigious panel, representing all sectors of the community and government, has been formed to select the individuals and organizations to be honored. Contact Terry Shoaff at the Council office at 925.246.1880 with any questions.

At the May board meeting, East Bay Leadership Council directors adopted a Regional Water Resources Strategy that is consistent with the Council's Delta Vision Statement of Principles, adopted in June 2007. (Both of these documents are posted on the Water Task Force page of the Council website.)

Recommended by the Water Task Force, the strategy includes these six actions:

1. Encourage incentives and financial support for technological and educational initiatives to improve municipal, industrial and agricultural water use efficiency.
2. Identify and encourage development of water recycling and desalination projects that are ready to implement, and which will enhance water supply reliability within the region.  
3. Promote development of additional water storage options that will benefit the region and/or the Delta.
4. Support the accelerated construction of levee improvement projects.
5. Support implementation of habitat restoration and water reliability projects that advance the co-equal goals as outlined in the 2009 Delta Reform Act.
6. Encourage regional collaboration at all levels to provide for an integrated approach to greater water use efficiencies, enhanced water supply reliability and protecting the Delta environment and economy.

As always, the Water Task Force and the Council will continue to watch and weigh developments on the Bay Delta Conservation Plan draft environmental document and other water resources policy issues, including a state water bond.
 
The Shell Martinez Refinery Greenhouse Gas Reduction Project, which received the Council's endorsement at its May board meeting, involves a significant investment by the company to reduce the refinery's environmental impact and increase its operating efficiency. The project also boosts economic development in the community by creating 300 temporary construction jobs for local workers.

The primary component of the project is the closure of the flexicoker unit, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 700,000 metric tons annually, the equivalent of removing 100,000 automobiles from the road. In addition, Shell says that sulfur dioxide emissions will be reduced by up to 25 percent, and water usage will be cut by 15 percent.

The Council supports AB 2319 (Bonilla), which would provide additional funding beyond the $1.25 billion block grant provided to districts this past year to support implementation of Common Core standards. "Based on conversations with local education and industry leaders, we know that increased investments need to be made to support the implementation of Common Core standards and Smarter Balanced assessments," Tom Terrill, (former) Council president and CEO, wrote to Governor Jerry Brown. "This legislation will help California's schools craft appropriate STEM curricula, provide for meaningful professional development for teachers to master the new Common Core content, fund career technical education, and purchase advanced technology hardware and software.

"The East Bay Leadership Council is committed to having a robust talent pool of STEM skilled workers that are well prepared to meet the needs of growing businesses in our high-growth economic sectors," he continued. "Access to high-speed internet is critically important for the administration of the Smarter Balanced assessments and to support 21st century learning in the classroom .... AB 2319 will provide the broadband infrastructure and professional retooling to help make this vision a reality."

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. Watch the website Announcements page for meeting updates.

Workforce Development/Education Task Force . . . Wednesday, June 4, 8:30 to 10 a.m. . . . Contra Costa Workforce Development Board, 300 Ellinwood Way, Bodega Room, Pleasant Hill. Consortium planning to improve education for adult learners, presented by Mojdeh Mehdizadeh, executive vice chancellor of the Contra Costa Community College District. Gary Craft of Craft Consulting Group provided an update on the Northern Waterfront project. Next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, July 2; no August meeting will be held. Co-chairs: Joanne Durkee and Kathleen Robinson

Environmental/Manufacturing Task Force . . . Friday, June 6, 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. . . . Brown and Caldwell, 201 N. Civic Drive, Suite 300, Walnut Creek. Wendy Manley of Wendel, Rosen Black & Dean discussed the new Industrial Storm Water Permit for industrial facilities, technical issues and regulatory developments. Co-chairs: Peter McGaw and George Smith

Land Use Task Force . . . Wednesday, June 11, 8 to 9:30 a.m. . . . Archer Norris, 2033 North Main Street, Suite 800, Walnut Creek. As the action team for business climate and regulatory environment for the Northern Waterfront project, the task force invited two of the six cities to discuss land use controls, uses and economic incentives in their city and the waterfront at its June meeting. Speakers were Tina Wehmeister, director of community development for the city of Antioch, and Dina Tasini, planning manager for the city of Martinez. Next meeting is Wednesday, July 9; the city of Oakley is invited. Co-chairs: Mike McGill and Ed Shaffer

Water Task Force . . . Wednesday, June 17, 8 to 10 a.m. . . . Brown and Caldwell, 201 N. Civic Drive, Suite 300, Walnut Creek. David Sedlak of UC Berkeley's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering presented The Fourth Revolution in Urban Water: Creating a Drought-Proof Water Supply for the Bay Area and Beyond. (The presentation is posted on the Water Task Force page.) Co-chairs: Ann Spaulding and Bob Whitley; Vice-chair: Gary Darling

Small Business/Entrepreneur Task Force . . . Tuesday, June 24, 8:30 to 10 a.m. ... De La Housaye and Associates, 1655 N. Main Street, Suite 260, Walnut Creek. Met May 29 by conference call for a debrief of the Small Business Awards program and luncheon (see article, this issue). Co-chairs: Angela De La Housaye and Jenny Kohler

Economic Development Task Force . . . Wednesday, June 25, 8 to 9:15 a.m. . . . Brandman University, 2950 Buskirk Avenue, Room 307, Walnut Creek. 5-minute member profile of  David Kelly of Kelly & Associates. Karen Burns of the East Bay Manufacturing Group will discuss trends in manufacturing. The task force is serving as the action team in creating greater understanding of business clusters. Next meeting is Wednesday, July 23, with discussion on collaborating with city governments. Co-chairs: Jodi Avina and Jeff Stemke

Transportation Task Force . . . On May 28, the task force hosted a Transportation Forum in San Ramon featuring the Contra Costa Economic Partnership's 2014 Commute Study and a professional panel with Christopher Thornberg, Art Dao, Randy Iwasaki and Tom Terrill (see article, this issue). Co-chairs: Roger Hughes and Ivy Morrison

Health Care Task Force . . . Tentative meeting on Thursday, July 3, 8:30 to 10 a.m. . . . Burr Pilger Mayer, 2001 North Main Street, Suite 360, Walnut Creek. In May, 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. Co-chair: Steve Van Wart

Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Chair Karen Mitchoff offered a plainspoken and positive State of the County update to a large East Bay Leadership Council luncheon audience on June 18 at the Contra Costa Country Club. But the supervisor may have been upstaged by the spirited Rosie the Riveters in attendance, the World War II shipyard workers who were commended by outgoing Council Chair Terry Bowen as "cultural icons of empowerment."

"I'm not going to say the state of the county is fabulous. We are doing very, very well," Mitchoff began, adding that the county is coming out of the recession with more dollars in the general fund. She said her goal is to inform people how government services affect them. She introduced her new chief of staff, Krystal Hinajosa, and invited luncheon guests to contact their supervisor's office with questions or to provide input.

Mitchoff reported that the county has contract agreements with 65 percent of its employees, and pension reform and health insurance costs are being addressed. Employees had not seen pay increases for the past six years but will be receiving small increases and lump-sum payments based on agreements. She noted Contra Costa has been operating under a federal consent decree since 1980 to improve the percentage of employees who are people of color, a goal that was finally met in January when the consent decree was lifted.

The county has produced a sustainable budget for the last three years and has regained its AAA credit rating, which Mitchoff attributes to County Administrator David Twa and staff. The Board of Supervisors is working to reach financial sustainability for the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. While five fire stations were closed, two are being reopened, thanks to higher assessed valuations. Mitchoff also announced a poll that would cost $45,000 to determine if voters would consider approving a sales tax (she said later a proposed tax would be from $.0025 to $.005). "We would have an oversight committee and accountability if we do this, and we would still not have the highest tax in the state," she said. 

Mitchoff was critical of the governor's plan to build water-conveyance tunnels under the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta, and believes it's important to place a water bond on the ballot in November. "We don't need tunnels," she said. "We need a better comprehensive plan."

Mitchoff said the latest remedy for Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo "is a bridge for them to figure out a model. Doctors has been managed well," she added.

The Council thanks co-host IBEW Local 302 and sponsors, AT&T, Gray-Bowen, Contra Costa Association of REALTORS® and John Muir Health.

(The State of the County presentation is being aired on Contra Costa Television on Monday, June 30, at 9 p.m., Thursday, July 3, at 4 p.m., and Monday, July 7, at 8 p.m. CCTV stations include Comcast channel 27, Astound channel 32 and AT&T U-verse channel 99. For more air dates, visit the CCTV program guide or call 925.313.1180.)

A new commute study commissioned by the Contra Costa Economic Partnership was the basis for an excellent transportation forum, hosted by the East Bay Leadership Council's Transportation Task Force on May 28 in San Ramon. The Beacon Economics study, a PDF copy of which is posted on the Economic Partnership website, looked at East Bay employment centers and commute patterns, revealing some new information on Contra Costa County and Tri-Valley activity that will inform transportation, land use, housing and other resource planning in the East Bay.

In his opening comments offering key study findings, co-author Christopher Thornberg, founding partner of Beacon Economics, said the study asked who is commuting, where are they going, and how does it impact public policy. We didn't ask why people are going where they're going, he noted.

A panel discussion following Thornberg's comments featured Art Dao, executive director of the Alameda County Transportation Commission; Randy Iwasaki, who heads the Contra Costa Transportation Authority; and Tom Terrill, program manager for the Contra Costa Economic Partnership, who served as moderator.

Thornberg noted that Contra Costa and Tri-Valley dynamics reveal that the region is more than simply a bedroom community for San Francisco and South Bay workers, as the old stereotype has suggested. In fact, a majority of Contra Costa and Tri-Valley residents (around 56 percent) work in the county they reside in.

Thornberg also noted with some surprise that higher-income, better-educated workers are doing the longer commuting. "The lower skilled you are, the more likely you are to live close to work."

Art Dao observed from the study that 43 percent of  Contra Costa workers live outside the county and have to commute through Alameda County. "How do we as two counties together accommodate this travel?" he asked. Dao noted the current congestion on Highway 24, Routes 680 and I-80 and Vasco Road. "We're running out of real estate to ease the commute and relieve congestion. We've got to work to manage and maintain what we have, and we need to be more creative," he said.

"We need a balanced and realistic regional policy," he continued. "We need to link transportation investment with economic development because we can't plan effectively without knowing where economic development will be."

Randy Iwasaki agreed that transit agencies need to work closely so programs are aligned. In fact, agencies do meet monthly to make sure they're in sync. "At this stage, we're not building [anything new] anymore; we're actually tweaking and updating the transportation system we have," he said.

Iwasaki said that Contra Costa is looking at an express bus study and is getting ready to release a ferry service study. CCTA is also about to finish 680, a last major widening project, due to open in the near future.

See reporter Denis Cuff's article in the Contra Costa Times about the forum. Read our press release here.

The Council thanks co-host Sunset Development Company.

The Council's Candidates Forum for the 16th Assembly District was part of a hotly contested race, when it was held in mid-May, but we now know that candidates Catharine Baker and Tim Sbranti earned the right to compete in the November 4 general election. Some 80 people gathered at Diablo Country Club to hear from the four candidates, who also included Steve Glazer and Newell Arnerich, all battling for the seat held by termed-out Assemblymember Joan Buchanan.

Contra Costa Times columnist Tom Barnidge moderated the forum, which began with statements from candidates. Newell Arnerich noted he had been in public office the past 19 years, five times as mayor of Danville, "a model of how a city should run." He called for the legislature to stop using ballot initiatives as a knee-jerk reaction to raise taxes.

Catharine Baker said she has two good reasons to keep focused and grounded: her children. She said she wants to put the state's financial house in order so it is not a burden to children. Active in local schools, Baker said she sees firsthand what works in education and what doesn't. "I've been told time and again that the answers are in Sacramento, so I've decided to go," she said.

Steve Glazer said he sees a polarization in public policy, and observed that the California legislature is "twice as polarized" as the U.S. Congress. "We kick the can down the road and don't own up to our financial responsibilities," he said.

Tim Sbranti pointed to his family's five generations in Contra Costa. The Dublin mayor grew up in that community, has been a teacher and coach, and said he would carry his frame of reference from successes in Dublin to the state level.

In response to a question about alternatives to replace the 0.5% sales tax expiring in 2016, none of the candidates said it should be extended. Sbranti said that economic growth will continue, so the tax isn't needed. Baker agreed that having the tax didn't result in a balanced budget, and said the state should address its debt.

Asked what the Governor should do about high-speed rail, Baker said, "He should be willing to remove his blinders and have the integrity to say we need to start over with a new plan. High-speed rail isn't it." Sbranti said he would work with the governor to get it done. "We need to work on the business plan," he said. "It's always good to move people and goods faster, to attract private investment." Glazer agreed a financial plan is needed, but said it's "not something we should be investing in at this time. The private funding isn't there." "It's a great idea but the wrong time and the wrong plan," said Arnerich. "It's really a Caltrans project. We've got to solve our traffic problems and get BART to Livermore first."

Candidates also weighed in on whether BART workers should be allowed to strike, unfunded pension liabilities, alternatives to the governor's water tunnels and other issues.

The Council thanks co-host, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 302, and sponsors, AT&T, Contra Costa Association of REALTORS® and John Muir Health.

Fourteen outstanding small-business owners, selected by Contra Costa County and Tri-Valley Chambers of Commerce, were honored at the East Bay Leadership Council's 14th Annual Small Business Awards Luncheon, held May 9 in Concord. The event is hosted each year by the Council's Small Business & Entrepreneurial Task Force, which is co-chaired by Angela De La Housaye and Jenny Kohler.

The annual event celebrates small business and is designed to complement the SBA's Small Business Week. Pedro Babiak of SharkEye Technology Services stood in as emcee for Dan Ashley, who was unable to attend as planned.

Dennis Erokan of the Placemaking Group, a public relations and website development and marketing firm headquartered in Oakland, urged the entrepreneurs to "get famous" in his keynote address. "Create a niche, then be the best in your niche. Getting famous is a great tool for your business," he advised.

Thanking both the San Ramon and Danville Area chambers, Ian Schuster, owner of Schubros Brewery, said, "If it wasn't for the chambers and local support, we wouldn't have made it." Steve Lesher, who represented the Shell Martinez Refinery, said, "The success of Shell depends on the support of the small businesses in the surrounding community." (Martinez picks a business of the year, not necessarily a small business.)

The 2014 Small Business Award winners (pictured above with some Chamber representatives) included (from left) Cyndi Hilton Girgis, Hilton House Consign/Design & Estate Liquidations, Inc., Orinda; Steve Lesher, Shell Refinery, Martinez; Michele Ternes and Tracy Butler, Commercial Support Services, Antioch; Douglas Lezameta, Radio Fusion Latina, Hispanic (Walnut Creek); Jennifer and T.J. Grossi, Pleasant Hill Coin & Jewelry Exchange, Pleasant Hill; Jim Hammack, Nerd Crossing, Richmond; Jeff Assadi, La Finestra Ristorante, Lafayette; Claudia Wentworth, Quick Mount PV, Walnut Creek; Ian Schuster, Schubros Brewery, San Ramon; Kevin Hennessey, Farmers Insurance, Concord; and Lisa Waldman, Bridges Restaurant & Bar, Danville. Not pictured are Kimberley Winter, Total Clean, Moraga; Eric "Otis" Nostrand, The Hop Yard American Alehouse & Grill, Pleasanton; and Frank and Christina Quattro, Moler Business College, San Pablo Economic Development Corporation.

(View photos of all the Small Business Award winners in our Photo Gallery. Read our press release on our website.)

The Council thanks Wells Fargo, title sponsor; Shell Martinez Refinery, platinum sponsor; San Pablo Economic Development Corporation, gold sponsor; Bank of America, Contra Costa Times, Mt. Diablo Recycling, Burr Pilger Mayer, silver sponsors; Ameritec and Musacchio & Montanari, P.C., friends of the Council.

Please welcome our new members!