EBLC
East Bay Leadership Council News for March 2015 
In this issue
Spotlighting East Contra Costa initiatives and innovation
Christopher Thornberg, Art Dao and Randy Iwasaki to grapple with the region's economic and transportation issues at April 16 breakfast forum
Council supports AB 366 to increase Medi-Cal reimbursement rates
April task force briefings and speakers
Annual science fair offers an excellent education in scientific problem-solving for Contra Costa students
Angie Coffee honored as 16th District Woman of the Year by Assemblywoman Catharine Baker ... Rick Wise to serve on Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors' ad hoc salary committee
Don't miss the Contra Costa Master Gardeners' Fourth Annual Great Heirloom Tomato Plant Sale!
Welcome to our new member: Associated Right of Way Services!
About the East Bay Leadership Council
Upcoming events
GoMentum Station - Redefining Mobility: Connected Vehicle / Autonomous Vehicle Summit

Tuesday, March 31,
7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hilton Concord,
1970 Diamond Blvd., Concord
Register here.

*****
East Bay Leadership Series 2015, Part 2, East Bay Economic Outlook & Transportation Panel

Presentation by Christopher Thornberg of Beacon Economics

A panel discussion on regional technology and transportation challenges with Christopher Thornberg, Art Dao and Randy Iwasaki

Thursday, April 16, 8 to 10 a.m., Hilton Concord, 1970 Diamond Blvd., Concord

Register here by April 12.

*****
15th Annual Small Business Awards Luncheon


Friday, May 8, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Crowne Plaza Hotel, Concord

Register here.

*****
Save the date!

East Bay Leadership Council Installation & Awards Dinner

Thursday, May 28

Contra Costa Country Club

*****
Save the date!

Washington Series Luncheon with Rep. Eric Swalwell

Monday, June 8

Watch our website for details!
Quick links
Let's get social!
Join the Council
If you're not already a member of the East Bay Leadership Council, you're missing out! 

Learn how to join the Council and become a member today.
Member benefits
What We Offer ...

Significant influence through the 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.

For more information about joining the Council, contact Kristin Connelly or Terry Shoaff at 925.246.1880.
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CEO VIEWPOINT
Spotlighting East Contra Costa initiatives and innovation

By Kristin Connelly, President and CEO, East Bay Leadership Council

East Bay Leadership Council board meetings are generously hosted by Council directors at their offices and facilities. Recent meetings have been held at Diablo Valley College and the John Muir Health Walnut Creek Outpatient Center.

The EBLC board met on March 20 at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, where LMC President Bob Kratochvil welcomed us to the beautiful Pittsburg campus on the opening weekend of the college's 40th anniversary, celebrating its important role in our region and our economy.

East Contra Costa was well represented that day (thanks to the outreach of EBLC Chair Keith Archuleta, a member of the Antioch Economic Development Commission), with representatives of the college, the community and local government present. Contra Costa Community College District Vice Chancellor, Educational Services, Sally Montemayor-Lenz discussed the district's Convocation on Innovation event and its two-year plan to focus on innovation.

Contra Costa County Supervisor Mary Piepho's Chief of Staff and former EBLC Chair Tomi Riley described the importance of the area's 14,600-acre agriculture core and the Northern Waterfront initiative, which is supported by the Council. Dr. Sean Wright, CEO of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce and director of the East Contra Costa Education and Business Alliance, gave an impassioned call for continued focus on economic development and job creation in the area. Wright cited the recent EC2 Economic Development Summit  held in Brentwood, which offered an excellent update on the area's important economic initiative, and he highlighted the contributive messages delivered at the summit by Kish Rajan, director of the Governor's Office of Business Development (GO-Biz), and Glenda Humiston, California director of the USDA's Rural Development program, among other speakers.
 
EBLC's two-pronged mission to promote economic vitality and quality of life means that we care deeply about effective government collaboration at the local and regional level. Many of us were able to attend the March 19 grand opening of the Central County Family Justice Center at 2121 Salvio Street, across the street from Todos Santos Plaza in Concord. We applaud the leadership of Concord Police Chief Guy Swanger and Concord Mayor Tim Grayson in this effort, as well as support from Contra Costa County's Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence program under the leadership of Devorah Levine and of Executive Director Susun Kim. Co-locating vital services for families affected by domestic violence helps serve the most vulnerable in our community. (Read the article in the Contra Costa Times.)

We look forward to sharing results of our recent membership survey as soon as they are available. Thank you, again, to all those who participated.

I look forward to seeing you at the GoMentum event on March 31, which is being co-sponsored by the Contra Costa Economic Partnership, the East Bay Leadership Series 2015 (Part 2) forum on April 16, Small Business Awards Luncheon on May 8, our Installation & Awards Dinner on May 28, and our Washington Series luncheon featuring Rep. Eric Swalwell on June 8. Watch your inbox and our website for details.
EAST BAY LEADERSHIP SERIES 2015, PART 2
Christopher Thornberg
Christopher Thornberg, Art Dao and Randy Iwasaki to grapple with the region's economic and transportation issues at April 16 breakfast forum

The regional economy and associated transportation challenges and priorities are the focus of the East Bay Leadership Council's East Bay Leadership Series 2015 (Part 2) breakfast forum, set for Thursday, April 16, starting at 8 a.m. at the Hilton Concord.

You will learn all you need to know about the economies of the state, the region and the East Bay in an opening presentation by noted economist Christopher Thornberg, founder of Beacon Economics. Following his presentation, Thornberg will be joined by transportation experts Art Dao, executive director of the Alameda County Transportation Commission, and Randy Iwasaki, executive director of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority. This impressive panel will discuss the region's transportation priorities and the role of technology in improving mobility and the movement of goods and services.

As a longtime advocate for regional transportation projects and initiatives, the Council is presenting the event as Part 2 in a series, with major sponsorship from Chevron and Shell. Register here by April 12 to get single and discounted series tickets.
ADVOCACY
Council supports AB 366 to increase Medi-Cal reimbursement rates

As a follow-up to the position taken in February by the EBLC board in support of increasing Medi-Cal reimbursement rates, at its meeting on March 20, the board supported the recommendation of the Health Care Task Force to endorse AB 366 (D-Bonta), which would increase Medi-Cal reimbursement rates to the same level as the Medicare rate.
TASK FORCE BRIEFINGS
Water policy expert Dr. Newsha Ajami of Stanford University's Water in the West initiative addresses the Water Task Force meeting in March
April meetings and speakers

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, April 1, 8:30 to 10 a.m. . . . Contra Costa Workforce Development Board, 300 Ellinwood Way, Bodega Room, Pleasant Hill. Harry Dispensa of the US Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship, and Tom Waller, consultant and Contra Costa Workforce Development Board chair, will discuss the increased focus on training and employment opportunities of organized labor apprenticeship programs. In addition, Alan Ichikawa, STEM director and learning leader with The Dow Chemical Corporation, will discuss partnering with local schools in an innovative approach to training for high school graduates. The task force will also discuss pending legislation. Co-chairs: Joanne Durkee and Kathleen Robinson

Health Care Task Force . . . Thursday, April 2, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. . . . Burr Pilger Mayer, 2001 North Main Street, Suite 360, Walnut Creek. The March meeting included a tour of the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Outpatient facility in Walnut Creek, where the task force received an update by Kathy Cain on the facility's care program for Contra Costa children. The task force also discussed AB 366, SB 243 and AB 662, taking a position of support on AB 366 for increased Medi-Cal funding (see Advocacy), and heard an update on Doctors Medical Center's anticipated closure in April. Co-chair: Steve Van Wart

Environmental/Manufacturing Task Force . . . Friday, April 3, 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. . . . Brown and Caldwell, 201 N. Civic Drive, Suite 300, Walnut Creek. In February, met jointly with the Economic Development Task Force for a presentation from Bret Kugelmass, founder and CEO of Airphrame, a drone mapping company. Co-chairs: Peter McGaw and George Smith

Land Use Task Force . . . Wednesday, April 8, 8 to 9 a.m. . . . Archer Norris, 2033 North Main Street, Suite 800, Walnut Creek. At the March meeting, John Kopchik, newly named permanent director of conservation and development for Contra Costa County, discussed his department's goals and responded to questions. Co-chairs: Mike McGill and Ed Shaffer

Water Task Force . . . Tuesday, April 21, 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. . . . Brown and Caldwell, 201 N. Civic Drive, Suite 300, Walnut Creek. The March meeting featured Dr. Newsha Ajami, director of urban water policy at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, who discussed the state's water challenges and the need to rethink the existing portfolio of solutions. In addition, Maureen Martin of the Contra Costa Water District discussed the Contra Costa Canal replacement and Dutch Slough tidal marsh restoration. Co-chairs: Ann Spaulding and Bob Whitley; Vice-chair: Gary Darling

Economic Development Task Force . . . Wednesday, April 22, 8 a.m. . . . Brandman University, 2950 Buskirk Avenue, Room 307, Walnut Creek. At the March meeting, Ken Mintz, Joanne Durkee and Kathleen Robinson offered an update from the Workforce Development/Education Task Force. Eric Rehn discussed a proposal to eliminate the 2031 Deferred Exchange, and the group discussed the Northern Waterfront proposal. Co-chairs: Jodi Avina and Jeff Stemke

Small Business/Entrepreneur Task Force . . . Tuesday, April 28, 8 to 9:30 a.m. . . . AAA of Northern California, Nevada & Utah, 3055 Oak Road, Yosemite Room A, Walnut Creek (RSVP required; please note earlier starting time). Quarterly meeting of Chamber of Commerce executives and legislative representatives. At the March meeting, the task force discussed plans for the Small Business Awards Luncheon on May 8 and other topics. Co-chairs: Angela De La Housaye and Jenny Kohler
CONTRA COSTA ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
Industry partner volunteers at the Friday morning judges' orientation meeting
Annual science fair offers an excellent education in scientific problem-solving for Contra Costa students

The 11th annual Intel-affiliated Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair, held March 26, 27 and 28 at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, is the real deal. Not only were the 253 student projects thoughtful, well researched and graphically well displayed, they also represented an impressive effort on the part of the 300 middle school and high school student exhibitors to do their best work over many weeks. (Some projects were team efforts.)

Descriptive project titles ranged from Is Your Mind Colorblind? to The Effect of Green and Conventional All-Purpose Cleaners on Worms to Evaluation of Water Treatment Methods.

The intent of the fair is to inspire young scientists and
The opportunity to discuss their project with scientific professionals is a highlight of students' participation in the annual fair.
engineers to pursue careers in science and to educate the public about the importance of science in our daily lives.

Some 200 volunteer professionals from more than 65 companies participated as judges, evaluating poster boards and discussing projects with the students. Criteria for judging projects, which is established by Intel, include creativity, scientific thought or engineering goals, thoroughness, skill and clarity. In addition, students are judged based on their ability to present their knowledge of their project to a team of judges in an interview process. As one judge noted, "That's the fun part!" The interview is the final determination of students' work.

The fair is organized each year by the Contra Costa Economic Partnership's STEM Workforce Initiative (April Treece and Sia Sauer, fair co-directors); with the organizing committee including Regina Finuliar of Bio-Rad Laboratories, founding partner; Linda Mayo, community leader; A'Kilah Moore, Scott Cabral and Ana Castro of Los Medanos College; George Odongo (senior scientist) of US Customs & Border Protection, US Department of Homeland Security; Tom Kilpatrick (Scientific Review Committee chair), community member; Bill Bush (professional engineer), WMB Consulting; Hilary Dito of the Contra Costa County Office of Education and Theresa Wheeler (senior consultant).

Watch for more news about the fair and students' achievements in the next issue.--Editor
NEWS ABOUT OUR MEMBERS
Angie Coffee is flanked by Assembly Minority Leader Kristin Olsen (left), Assemblywoman Catharine Baker, Majority Floor Leader Christina Garcia and Speaker Toni Atkins in Sacramento.
Angie Coffee honored as 16th District Woman of the Year by Assemblywoman Catharine Baker

In early March, Assemblywoman Catharine B. Baker (R-San Ramon) honored Angie Coffee as the 2015 Woman of the Year for the 16th Assembly District during a special ceremony at the State Capitol. Coffee has been a leader in the local business and financial community for more than 35 years, and has given generously of her time to extensive community service and involvement. She is a past president and longtime board member of the East Bay Leadership Council.

"Angie Coffee embodies the ideals of the Woman of the Year ceremony," said Baker. "Angie's civic involvement is extensive and meaningful, and includes serving as a board member for a number of local organizations such as the Diablo Regional Arts Association, Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce, STAND, Special Olympics of Northern California, and as a regent for JFK University."

Held annually, the Woman of the Year ceremony celebrates California's extraordinary women. The first ceremony was held in 1987 to help commemorate Women's History Month. The event has become an annual Capitol tradition to salute women who have done outstanding community service. Honorees are presented with a framed certificate from the State Assembly recognizing their outstanding contributions during a ceremony in the Assembly chambers.

Read Assemblywoman Baker's press release announcing the award.

Rick Wise to serve on Contra Costa Board of Supervisors' ad hoc salary committee

East Bay Leadership Council Director and former Board Chair Rick Wise has been appointed to serve as the EBLC representative on a Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors ad hoc committee that will determine how supervisors' salary increases should be handled in the future.

The committee also includes a representative from the Contra Costa Civil Grand Jury, Contra Costa Taxpayers Association, Contra Costa Central Labor Council and the Contra Costa Human Services Alliance.

Retired clerk-recorder Steve Weir will facilitate the committee meetings, which will conclude with a report July 7. The committee will then be dissolved after 30 days unless the supervisors vote to extend it.
NEWS FOR OUR MEMBERS
Don't miss the Contra Costa Master Gardeners' Fourth Annual Great Heirloom Tomato Plant Sale!

The Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce reminds you that the Contra Costa Master Gardeners' Fourth Annual Great Heirloom Tomato Plant Sale will be held on two upcoming Saturdays in April: April 4 and April 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Master Gardeners' garden, located at North Wiget Lane and Shadelands Drive (off Ygnacio Valley Road) in Walnut Creek.

There will also be a sale for West County tomato plant enthusiasts on Saturday, April 11 only, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at AdamsCrest Urban Farm, 5000 Patterson Circle, Richmond.

Sales will feature thousands of unique heirloom tomato and other vegetable plants--58 varieties in all, including 10 new varieties for 2015 from Russia, Japan, Italy, Mexico, West Virginia and Kentucky. In addition, there will be two dozen varieties of peppers, many unusual and hard to find, from sweet and juicy to hot and spicy, plus a wide variety of eggplants and tomatillos.

Admission is free. All plants are $3. Visit the Chamber website for more information.
NEW MEMBERS
Please welcome our new members!

Associated Right of Way Services, Inc.
Karen Eddleman, Vice President
2300 Contra Costa Blvd., Suite 525
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
925.691.8500
http://arws.com/

Provides right of way and project consulting for public agencies.
ABOUT THE EAST BAY LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

The East Bay Leadership Council is a public policy advocacy organization that promotes the economic vitality and quality of life in the 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 Kristin Connelly at the East Bay Leadership Council.

This issue was edited for the East Bay Leadership Council by Molly A. Walker of Walker Communications.

� 2015 East Bay Leadership Council