Regional Executive Conference Addresses Tri-County Concerns; Los Angeles, Ventura and Kern County Leaders Convene

Business leaders prepare to develop solutions for critical issues facing Southern California-based industries.

VALENCIA, Calif., Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ — The Valley Industrial Association of Santa Clarita hosts the second annual Regional Executive Summit on Wednesday, October 24, offering business executives from Los Angeles, Ventura and Kern counties a forum for discussion related to issues in the tri-county area. The conference convenes at 7:30 a.m. at the Hyatt Valencia, 24500 Town Center Drive, Valencia, California.

Discussion topics include workforce housing, transportation, and the acquisition and retention of skilled employees. The tri-county area — where median home prices top over half a million dollars — is particularly at risk for attracting and retaining a skilled workforce.

“It's a bad situation when employees can't live in the community where they work,” said Gary Buterbaugh, co-chair of the event. If employees are forced to commute long distances, roads become clogged, productivity impacted, and companies have a difficult time recruiting.
    Keynote speakers include:

    — Lynn Jacobs, Director, California Department of Housing and Community
       Development

    — Mike Chrisman, California Secretary for Resources

    — Jack Stewart, President, California Manufacturing and Technology
       Association
    Panelists include:

    — Rodney Fernandez, Executive Director, Cabrillo Economic Development
       Corporation

    — Bruce Stenslie, Deputy Director, California Workforce Association

    — Bill Buratto, Economic Development Corporation, Ventura County

    — Barry Hibbard, Tejon Ranch Company

    — Jim Suhr, President, Westside Urban Forum

    — Paul Zimmerman, Executive Director, Southern California Association of
       Non-Profit Housing

    — Tim Davis, President and Executive Director, Santa Clarita Community
       Development Corporation

    — Representatives of the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation,
       Antelope Valley Board of Trade, Greater Antelope Valley Economic
       Alliance, and Kern County Board of Trade

“We recognize what the issues are, but we're focused on finding solutions,” emphasized Buterbaugh. “The intent is to generate dialogue and the impetus necessary to lead us to developing other creative solutions.”

“The business summit is indicative of how important it is to establish collaborative efforts, bringing resources together and providing leadership with government, business and schools,” said Ernie Villegas, partner with Paladin Principle and VIA chairman. “Working together we can create a strategic entity to accomplish our goals and objectives in the tri-county area.”

To register, visit http://www.via.org. Sponsorship opportunities are available; contact Kathy Norris, Valley Industrial Association, at (661) 294-8088.

SOURCE Valley Industrial Association of Santa Clarita

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