Officers

Mr. Kelsall has been president and CEO of the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce since 2005. As a founding member of BizFed, Mr. Kelsall stepped up early on to Chair the Polling & Research Committee in BizFed’s first two years. Recently, John was co-Vice Chair of the Advocacy Committee, co-Vice Chair of the Communications Committee.

Prior to leading the Greater Lakewood Chamber, John’s experience includes Vice President for Operations at Hank Player USA, Branch Manager and then Area Manager for AppleOne Employment Services, Qualifying and Managing Broker for Century 21 Real Estate Professionals, and operations of his own holding company for 18 years, Kelsall & Lillya, Inc.

John is a graduate of Rider University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce and a minor in Business Law. He is a graduate of Western Association of Chamber Executives Academy and a current Board Member of the South East Los Angeles County Workforce Investment Board, the Lakewood Weingart Family YMCA, the Lakewood Regional Medical Center, and the Long Beach Education and Business Advisory Council.

Other board memberships and community involvement include: Long Beach Small Business Development Center Advisory Board Member, Rotary Club of Lakewood Rotarian of the Year 2008, Board Member and Past President of Rotary Club of Lakewood, Assistant Governor for Rotary District 5320, and currently on the Advisory Board for Rotary District 5320, five years as a Board Member for LA Association for the Blind, and two years as Board Member of the Society for Human Resource Management, Shreveport Chapter. John also was a Special Consultant to the U.S. Secretary of Education for Higher Education Regulations 1976..

David W. Fleming, an attorney with Latham & Watkins, was the instigator of the successful charter reform movement in the City of Los Angeles. In 1997, he and then LA Mayor Richard Riordan co-chaired a voters' initiative to reform LA City government, culminating in creation of an elected citizens' Charter Reform Commission that drafted a new charter adopted by voters in 1999.

Tracy Rafter was instrumental in BizFed’s organizational founding, early-warning, advocacy and outreach efforts, as well as boosted civic engagement among the elusive business-owner market segment. Since its launch in January 2008, BizFed has nearly doubled its number of members and is extremely proud of its dynamic Board of Directors comprised of 110 Los Angeles County market-leading executives.

LaDonna DiCamillo is the Government Affairs Director for BNSF Railway Company in Los Angeles. Ms. DiCamillo works with California communities to address rail-related issues at both local and legislative levels in an effort to facilitate trade growth and improve freight mobility while sustaining livability in the communities through which BNSF operates.

Ms. DiCamillo began her railroad career in 1989 in the Research and Development Department of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (a predecessor to BNSF) where she conducted laboratory testing related to environmental and failure analysis projects. In 1991, she was promoted and moved to California where she worked for BNSF’s Environmental Department for ten years. As Manager Environmental Operations, Ms. DiCamillo implemented and managed numerous environmental compliance programs at BNSF facilities. In 1999, she joined BNSF’s Government Affairs Group.

Ms. DiCamillo is a member of the Los Angeles Area Chamber Board of Directors, the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, chair-elect of the Long Beach Area Chamber, and is a former editor and published writer for the University of La Verne, Journal of Juvenile Law. She is an active member of the State Bar of California. Ms. DiCamillo obtained her undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas in 1989. In 1999, Ms. DiCamillo completed her Juris Doctorate at the University of La Verne, College of Law.

Mr. Ahn is Manager of Regional Government and Public Affairs for Northrop Grumman and has 22 years in government relations and public policy development. Mr. Ahn began his career lobbying for a non-profit higher education association in California and previously was an appointee of Governor Gray Davis as deputy director of the Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency where he managed economic development programs for the largest trade zone in California.

Mr. Ahn also was a previous legislative aide to the Vice-Chair of California Assembly Ways and Means Committee, a senior deputy to the Chair of California State Board of Equalization, former chief deputy to Los Angeles School Board Member George Kiriyama, and former community relations liaison for Los Angeles County District Attorney Gil Garcetti.

Mr. Ahn is currently pursuing an MBA at Claremont Graduate University, Drucker and Ito School of Management. He was the first Asian-American and second minority student body president elected at Cal State Fulleron, while earning undergraduate degrees, and was elected by the dean and faculty as a Fellow with the USC School of Social Work, Center for Asian Pacific Leadership.

Mr. Clarke is Executive Director of Apartment Association Greater Los Angeles. Mr. Clarke started his career in political consulting - working for 9 years on both candidate and initiative campaigns. He gained experience in media relations, fundraising, grassroots organization, direct mail and general campaign management. In 1993 Clarke became a full time government relations specialist and lobbyist. He has served the real estate industry as such in many different capacities representing Realtor groups, municipalities, and rental property owners.

Mr. Clarke also is an active member of the L. A. Area Chamber of Commerce, Central City Association and Valley Industry and Commerce Association. He also graduated from the University of Southern California where he received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Certificate of Achievement from the Jesse Unruh Institute of Politics in 1985.

Ms. Kurtz has been president and CEO of the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership since 2009 and most recently was co-Chair of BizFed’s Business Friendly Ad Hoc Committee. Prior to her position at the Partnership, Ms. Kurtz served as the City Manager for the City of Pasadena from March 1998 until January 2009 overseeing a community of 144,000 residents, and a staff of 2,300 employees, 11 departments, and an operating budget of over $580 million.

She began with the city of Pasadena in 1987 as the capital projects administrator and in 1992 became the director of Public Works dealing with the nuts and bolts of city operations including the reconstruction of the historic Colorado Street Bridge leading the city’s efforts in planning for the Gold Line light rail line to Pasadena. She also served as the Interim City Manager for the City of Covina, California from October 2009 until taking over the executive position with the Partnership. Prior to moving to California, Cynthia worked for 10 years for the city of Portland, Oregon holding a variety of positions in the Office of Transportation and the Bureau of Economic Development. She has received numerous honors and was recognized by her fellow California city managers who in 2007 elected her President of the City Managers Department of the League of California Cities..

Cynthia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Development and Housing from Pennsylvania State University and a Masters of Arts degree in Transportation and Urban Planning from the University of Iowa. Cynthia serves on the Finance Committee of the Pasadena Foothill YWCA, the Advisory Board for the La Verne Colleges School of Public Administration and the Citizens Advisory Board of the Villa Esperanza Services. She lives in Pasadena with her husband Jim McDermott.

As a Principal of the architectural firm Gensler, Arpy is a recognized leader in large-scale project delivery with more than 20 years of professional experience. Her abilities go above and beyond the everyday aspects of Gensler’s practice. She has built long standing relationships with regulatory agencies throughout Southern California and has established a reputation for collaborating with these agencies to find win-win solutions for all stakeholders.

Arpy graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from SCI-Arc, and has since given back to the education community by teaching at Santa Monica College and UCLA extension. She served as Commissioner of the Los Angeles City Disabled Access Appeals Board and is actively involved with BOMA’s Codes and Regulations and Government Affairs Committee. Arpy is currently on BOMA’s Advisory Board of Directors and is a member of the Mayor of the City of Los Angeles’ Development Reform Advisory Committee.

Since 2001, Ms. Hughes has served as the Executive Director of Gateway to L.A., the property-based business improvement district that features 12.3 million square feet of hotel, office, parking, retail and restaurant space immediately east of Los Angeles International Airport. Her primary responsibilities include marketing, lobbying and developing programs to support the district.

Ms. Hughes served as chair of the Los Angeles BID Consortium in 2008/2009, which represents all 38 business improvement districts in the City of Los Angeles. L.A. BIDS have collectively provided more than $200 million in services to the areas they serve, while at the same time contributed to a double-digit decrease in crime. Prior to her current position, Laurie served as the Finance Director for the Steve Kuykendall Congressional Committee where she oversaw all aspects of the Congressman’s $2.5 million campaign fundraising effort, including event organizing, budget preparation and financial reporting. In 2011, Ms. Hughes co-chaired BizFed’s Polling & Research Committee.

She currently is on the board of directors of the LAX Coastal Area Chamber of Commerce and has previously served as a board member for the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce and the South Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Mr. Kissinger serves as Director of Government Affairs for the South Bay Association of REALTORS, and has held that position since 2006. He has been a longstanding active member on BizFed’s Board of Directors and is an active member of California Association of Realtors as well as the National Association of Realtors. Mr. Kissinger earned a Master’s in Business Administration at University of Southern California and is active in the community including serving on the Board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the South Bay.

David Grannis co-founded PointC to bring a strategic private-public partnership approach to solving critical urban infrastructure and land-use problems. David specializes in developing and implementing public-private partnership resulting in approval, action and implementation of creative and effective solutions. David was Chair of BizFed’s Ad Hoc Transportation Committee last year.

David has over 20 years public and private sector experience specializing in developing and implementing public-private partnerships to solve urban infrastructure and land-use problems A self-described “generalist,” David evaluates problems and designs comprehensive operational, safety and mobility solutions. He also oversees the programming, funding and implementation of those solutions, thus providing “start-to-finish” services for his clientele. His work includes:

Served as Funding Project Manager for the Alameda Corridor project. Lead Government Affairs and Advocacy Program (GAAP), including work with federal, state, regional and local officials and agencies in identifying and securing $800 million in needed transportation funding for this nationally significant project, including a first-ever $400 million federal loan.

Served as lead consultant to the City of Pasadena in the development and enactment of legislation to create the Pasadena Blue Line Construction Authority, which resulted in the design-build completion of the project on time and under budget.

Advisor to Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan on transportation recovery in the wake of the 1994 Northridge Earthquake (1994). Coordinated interim transportation solutions during re-construction of major highways and arterials with U.S. Secretary of Transportation, state officials, regional agencies and the City of Los Angeles.

Currently, David is acting as the lead consultant for Vision Los Angeles, a 25-year transportation/land-use and air quality plan for Los Angeles County that is being sponsored by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). David also is Founder and President, Planning Company Associates, Inc. and co-Founder, Trimtab Foundation.

For the past 9 years, Mr. Huang has served as the Executive Director of the Asian Business Association, a non-profit organization that has been proactively assisting Asian American small businesses gain access to economic opportunities and advancement since 1976. Last year, Dennis co-chaired BizFed’s Communications Committee. Dennis has spent a good amount of time helping improve the business environment and as a member of the California Utility Diversity Council he helps shape and enhance diversity in the areas of governance, procurement, employment, customer service, marketing and philanthropy.

In addition to networking events, Dennis spearheads the organization to produce events that benefit small businesses such as: Access to Capital, Meet the Buyers, Speed Networking, One-On-One Business Matchmaking. Dennis helps connect many members that are now doing business with major corporations. Membership continues to grow and is currently over 500 members strong. Dennis recently helped found and form Asian Business Center, a foundation that focuses on business education and training, research, scholarship and economic development for the business community.

Currently, Dennis volunteers his time as a Den Leader for his son’s Cub Scouts, is assistant Tennis Coach at the Cerritos Chinese School and helps coach his son’s basketball team. Dennis received his BS in Hospitality Management from California Polytechnic University of Pomona and his MBA from Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University.

Mr. Merida currently is chairman of the board of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, vice-chair for the Southern Region of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, and president of Central America Relief Foundation. Mr. Merida was co-Chair of BizFed’s 2011 Polling & Research Committee. Previously, he was president and CEO of the LA Metro Hispanic Chambers and organization and has 20 years of experience in International Finance and Business Administration.

Mr. Merida played a key role in promoting foreign trade/investment programs between California and Latin America that helped pave ways for Mutual Cooperation Agreement between the Federation of Central American Chambers of Commerce (FECAMCO) and signed agreements of cooperation between the Central America Chambers of Commerce and The California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. He has been an active participant and advocate of US Free Trade Agreements and trade promotions for 20 years long before the passing of agreements of US-DRCAFTA and other with Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and more recently Colombia and Panama.

Mr. Merida also is Director of Operation for LA ECUADOR, a L.A Hispanic Chamber of Commerce branch – since 2008; Chief Operating Officer and Latin American Director for International Development Partnership Alliance (IDPA ), a nonprofit corporation procuring federal and world funding to help developing countries - since 2007; Chair for Central American Relief Foundation, providing housing for low income families in Los Angeles – since 1991; Director of Guatemala Trade and Information Office – a nonprofit group dedicated to advance the social infrastructure of marginal communities in Guatemala; and a practicing tax accountant for more than 35 years.

Mr. Merida also has served as President and Founder –Guatemala California Chamber of Commerce. 1998-2002; CEO for USA-Central American Trade Expo and Conference, 1999- 2003; Vice Consul Ad Honorem of Guatemala in Los Angeles -2004—2008; Chair for the Southern Region of the CA Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, 2004—2005. Board Member 2006—2008; Executive Director for the Central American Chambers of Commerce in California, 1999—2002. He graduated from Guatemala Commercial Science School as a Public Accountant and graduated from California State University as a Tax Accountant.

Ms. Norton is Executive Director of Fixing Angelenos Stuck In Traffic (FAST) and has a career that spans over 19 years in the fields of public policy and community development, including land use and transportation planning. In 2011, Ms. Norton co-Chaired BizFed’s Business Friendly Committee. Her legislative experience includes an internship to Mayor Tom Bradley in 1991, work for Los Angeles City Councilmembers Mark Ridley-Thomas (now County Supervisor), Richard Alarcon, and Richard Alatorre, and State Senator Gil Cedillo. In 2001, Hilary began her work in the private sector for the Central City Association (CCA), Fleishman-Hillard, and then as Executive Vice President to Palmer Investments and Project Manager for Las Lomas, a mixed-use, sustainable, transit-oriented community.

In 2008, Jim Thomas, Chairman, President and CEO of Thomas Properties Group, created the non-profit Fixing Angelenos Stuck in Traffic (FAST) as a public-private partnership to advocate for traffic relief. FAST is a diverse, inclusive coalition of business associations, labor unions, civic groups, neighborhood councils, educational institutions, elected officials, transit organizations and residents of Los Angeles County which represent nearly 2 million individuals in our region. FAST also supports and highlights other innovative short term-transit solutions aimed at reducing Los Angeles County’s traffic, such as those proposed through MoveLA, Metro, CALTrans and the individual cities within Los Angeles County.

Hilary graduated from Wellesley College in 1990, and, in 1992, earned her Master’s in Public Policy Degree, Housing and Community Development Concentration, from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Civic efforts include positions as Vice Chair of the Central City Association (CCA)’s Transportation Committee, Co-Chair of the Legislative Committee of the Los Angeles Business Council (LABC), and a member of the Board of Trustees for Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital. Hilary has two children, Xavier and Eva Orozco. Ms. Norton coaches and referees two soccer teams for AYSO, Region 88, and is a former elder of La Crescenta Presbyterian Church.

Ms. Schroeder is CEO of the Greater Los Angeles/Ventura counties Chapter of the Building Industry Association (BIA/GLAV) and is a founding member of BizFed, serving as its Chair in 2010 and Advocacy Chair in 2009.

Ms. Schroeder joined the Building Industry Association in 2005 and is on the Board of Directors, LA/Ventura Chapter of HomeAid – dedicated to building housing for the transitionally homeless. Previously, she worked for nearly nearly a decade at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) as well as in the private sector for Waste Management Inc. Ms. Schroeder has a Bachelor’s Degree from St. Olaf College in Minnesota and a Master’s Degree from the University of Oregon.

Ms. Senecal was named manager of The Western States Petroleum Association’s Southern California region and Infrastructure issues in 2010. The Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) is a non-profit trade association representing twenty-eight companies that explore for, produce, refine, transport and market petroleum, petroleum products, natural gas and other energy supplies in California and five other western states.

Last year, Patty co-chaired BizFed’s Advocacy Committee. She has 25 years of private sector business experience in goods movement and 15 years’ experience working on legislative and regulatory issues for the trucking and distribution industry. She is a leading advocate for the goods movement and transportation industry in California on environmental issues that impact competitiveness of trade sensitive businesses in California.

Ms Sifuentes-Trigueros serves as Regional Public Affairs Manager, Southern California Gas Company, a Sempra Energy Utility, responsible for strategic direction in the Greater LA area. She brings to her position nearly two decades’ experience in corporate governmental, community and media relations, specific expertise in ethnic and utility public relations.

Susan joined Southern California Gas Company in 1982, where she has held several positions in the company’s accounting and HR departments, in addition to public affairs. She is active in community organizations including League of California Cities, USC Latino Alumni Association, VICA, and San Fernando Valley Economic Alliance. In 2002, she was honored by Women’s eNews as one of “21 leaders of the 21st century” for her work in civic participation and in 2007, she received a corporate award for Girls Today Women Tomorrow mentoring program. Susan earned a bachelor’s in business administration from University of Southern California.

Mr. Becerra serves as Chief of State, Local Public Affairs for Southern California Edison Co. and was re-elected to the Simi Valley Council in November 2010. Previously, he served a one-year term as Mayor Pro Tem in 2002, 2006 and again in 2009.

Mr. Becerra serves on the Board, League of California Cities Channel Counties Division and represents the cities of Moorpark, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks on the Southern California Association of Governments. Prior to joining Southern California Edison in 1996, he worked for Assemblyman James L. Brulte as Legislative Aide and worked in the Wilson Administration as Deputy Director for the Office of External Affairs.

Mr. Becerra is a member of the Executive Fellowship Program, a public policy program sponsored by the Governor's Office and the Center for California Studies at California State University, Sacramento. He also serves on the Board of Directors, Simi Valley Boys and Girls Club; is a member of the Simi Valley Education Foundation Board of Directors; and is on the Board of Regents, California Lutheran University. In 2001 (to 2010), he was appointed by President George W. Bush to White House Commission on Presidential Scholars. Mr. Becerra has a Bachelors in History, University of California Berkeley.

As Regional Public Affairs Manager for League of California Cities, Ms. Guerrero is experienced in communicating political, legislative, and social issues to decision makers, media, and the public. She has a strong background in coalition building, advocacy, and grassroots organizing related to issue campaigns and policy education.

In her role, Ms. Guerrero develops and maintains close communication and working relationships with city officials throughout the 88 cities in Los Angeles County to aggressively advocate key League priorities and positions with legislators, local media, and other key stakeholders. Previously, she was Press deputy, California State Senator Gloria Romero, 2002-2005; Account Executive, Millennium Services Inc., 2000-2002; Special Projects Coordinator, Los Angeles County Community Development Commission.

Ms. Guerrero earned a Masters of Public Administration, USC; and Bachelors, Political Science, UCLA. She is a Board member, USC School of Policy, Planning and Development Alumni Association and a Public Affairs Council, National Grassroots Council Delegate.

Ms. Olguin is President and CEO of the Vernon Chamber of Commerce, representing the voice of 1,800 businesses and 50,000 jobs in industrial city of Vernon. She was instrumental in leading the grassroots, political advocacy effort to defeat legislation in 2011 that would have disincorporated the City – and instead establish government reforms, and preserve a job-producing community that contributes $4.5 billion to the LA-County economy.

Ms. Olguin and the Chamber work to promote Vernon’s highly responsive, streamlined and business-friendly city government and in 2008, the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) chose Vernon for its “Most Business Friendly City” award for cities with populations under 50,000.

Ms. Olguin is a Member, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO); a Member, Rio Hondo-Vernon Rotary Club; a Member, International Trade Compliance Institute. Previously she was with Porter Novelli – developing and implementing multi-tiered marketing/public relations campaigns. She also was previously a field deputy to three area State Assembly members. She earned a bachelor’s in Communications and Public Relations at Cal State University at Fullerton.

Ron Wood is President and CEO of the Valley Economic Alliance, the San Fernando Valley's premier economic development organization. Previously, Mr. Wood headed the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership from 2007-2009, and was publisher of the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group.

Prior to those positions, Mr. Wood held executive positions with the Los Angeles Newspaper Group, MediaNews Group and the Bakersfield Californian. He served on the Boards of Goodwill Industries of Southern California, San Gabriel Valley Council Boy Scouts of America, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Foothills, and Valley Public Television-Central California. Mr. Wood is Founding chairman, Goodwill Industries of Kern County and a Member, Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation. He earned a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of La Verne and a Bachelor's in organizational management, University of San Francisco.

Mr. Wullschleger is senior vice president and director responsible for City National Bank’s Business Banking and Small Business Administration departments. He oversees the marketing and directs the delivery of a full range of financial products and services to California businesses with annual sales of $1 million to $10 million. That includes the bank’s government-guaranteed and community-related lending programs, primarily Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, for small and mid-sized businesses and non-profit organizations. He also is responsible for the bank’s relationships with the SBA and other government lenders.

Mr. Wullschleger joined City National in 2008 as senior vice president and director of Business Banking. Before that, he served as a senior vice president with First Bank, where he oversaw corporate and small business banking. From 2001 until 2003, he was vice president and manager of Manufacturers Bank’s Business Banking Center. From 1985 until 2001, he held increasingly senior responsibilities encompassing business development, commercial and small business lending, loan center operations and portfolio management at both Sanwa Bank California and Coast Bank. Before that, he was an assistant vice president at Bank of America.

A resident of La Palma, Calif., Mr. Wullschleger earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from California State University, Long Beach and attended the University of Washington’s Pacific Coast Banking School.

Mr. Gubler has been president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for nearly two decades and was co-Chair of BizFed’s Advocacy Committee last year. Leron has more than 30 years’ experience in Chamber management including with the Santa Monica and San Pedro Peninsula chambers. He is widely credited with revitalizing the Hollywood Chamber, which now has a budget of $1.8-million, making it the second largest chamber of commerce in Los Angeles. The Chamber has played an active role in the revitalization of Hollywood, lobbying on behalf of major developments and organizing community support. In addition, the Chamber led the organizing effort to form Hollywood’s first business improvement district, which has resulted in a major clean-up of Hollywood’s central core.

In 1997, Leron was presented with the Third Century Award by the Hollywood Coordinating Council for leadership in the community. In 1998, he was awarded the Hollywood Spirit Award by the Hollywood Arts Council. In 2008, he was honored by Hollywood Community Housing Corp. for his work in the community. In 2009, he was presented with the Russell E. Pettit Award for “excellence in leadership” by the Western Association of Chamber Executives. In 1998, he served as president of the Westside Council of Chambers of Commerce, a regional association of 16 local chambers. He is also a past officer of SCACCE, the Southern California Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

Leron served as Chair of the Western Association of Chamber Executives, the largest regional chamber association in the United States with more than 600 members in 14 Western states from 2004 to 2005 and is also past chair of their foundation. He is currently the chair of Chamber Academy, a continuing education for chamber of commerce executives in the Western U.S. He also serves the board of Film L.A and is on the advisory board of Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital.

Mr. Wright is Director of Government and Public Affairs, American Institute of Architects – LA Chapter and a 2011 recipient of the Presidential Honor of Honorary AIA|LA. He has more than a decade of experience at AIA-LA, responsible for a variety of roles including his current role advocating on behalf of the architecture profession to help shape public policy.

Mr. Wright was a 2011 public board member of the BOMA-LA PAC, a 2011 member of ClimatePlan Strategic Planning Steering Committee, and in 2007 won the AIGA 365 award as the Editor of the literary arts publication, FishWrap V. 5. Previously, Mr. Wright was a script doctor for a film production company.

Kim-Yen Huynh is Founder and President of the Asian American Business Women Association, and a member of the California State Asian & Pacific Islander American Affairs Commission. She also is on the Advisory Board of the Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County, a Board Member of Greater Asia Business Federation, and a Former President, Orange County Presidents Council.

In 2011, Kim-Yen was awarded The U.S. Small Business Administration – District Minority Small Business Champion of the Year honor for her contribution in supporting to the small business community. Kim-Yen has worked in the banking and finance industry for more than three decades, serving in executive management roles with First Vietnamese American Bank, Center Bank, Cathay Bank and Sanwa Bank. She is a Senior Vice President at First Vietnamese American Bank, First Vice President at Center Bank, and Host on television Saigon TV 57.5.

Mr. Chase is Director of Government Affairs for Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, responsible for the chamber’s civic engagement and community partnerships and managing the research, discourse, and outreach of the Government Affairs, Environmental Affairs, Land Use, Education, and Homelessness Committees.

Previously, he was a Water Treatment Advisor at Nalco Co.; a Cabinet Intern in the Office of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger; a Legislative Intern in the Office of former Los Angeles City Councilman Greig Smith; a Corporate Development Intern at Century Theatres Inc.; a Research Assistant Intern at Public Strategies, Inc.; a Social Services Commissioner, City of Santa Monica.

Mr. Chase is Director of Business Relations, USC Alumni Club of Beverly Hills – Hollywood and is a member of Valley Industry & Commerce Association.

Ms. Townsend is president and CEO of the Regional Black Chamber of Commerce San Fernando Valley-Southern California. Her Chamber represents business in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding cities, including North Hollywood, Burbank, Glendale, and Santa Clarita/Valencia, and the West Los Angeles Metro areas of Marina Del Rey & Inglewood. The Chamber’s primary goal includes providing regional services for small, minority and women-owned businesses, empowering community and business through educational forums, solidifying business relationships with Corporate America, providing training for members, and recognizing community volunteers and corporations with commitment to the community.

M C served as BizFed’s Secretary/Treasurer last year and is President/CBCC-Council of Chambers (25) in Sacramento. She has served as vice president for two concurrent terms on the local school site councils, served on the Build Workforce Small Business Advisory Council, the Los Angeles United School District Small Business Council. M C has broad education in the professional financial services sector ranging from a banking service officer all the way to a National Director of Sales and Mediation. She is a 10-year business owner/real estate MAI Appraiser/Financial Consultant. M C is a Director for the Fernando Awards, a Board Member of United Chambers San Fernando Valley and was her Chamber was honored as “Chamber of the Year 2004”, by the California Black Chamber of Commerce in Sacramento, California.

M C and the Chamber also have received recognition from the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, California State Assembly, California State Senate, California State Board of Equalization, and the United States Congress. She is an active committee member with the Los Angeles Task Force for Community Awareness, under the direction of (Ex-Chief of Police), served in 2006 as one of Founding member/Director of the California Council of Chambers in Sacramento, and was appointed as Chair of Program for the Board of Library Commissioners (Woodland Hills Friends of Library Committee branch).

Robert M. Amano joined the Hotel Association of Los Angeles (HALA) in October 2010 and currently serves as Executive Director. Amano is responsible for HALA’s operations, administration, business development, member programs and services.

In alignment with the association’s initiatives, Amano has been focused on developing membership enrichment programs and building alliances with state and local stakeholder groups including the Central City Association (CCA), Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA), Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, California Hotel & Lodging Association (CHLA) and the California Lodging Industry Association (CLIA). He is also responsible for monitoring and addressing policy issues related to the Los Angeles lodging industry.

Prior to joining HALA, a 25+ year veteran of the hospitality-tourism industry, Amano founded Diversified Management Group Inc., a management and project consultancy specializing in the tourism industries. In that capacity he was contracted by the California Travel & Tourism Commission (CTTC) to serve as Regional Marketing Representative and Special Projects Coordinator from 2002-2010. Earlier he was Director of the Los Angeles Travel Academy at LA INC. The Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Amano currently serves on the board of the Don Bosco Technical Institute Alumni Association; former executive board member of Los Angeles Nagoya Sister City Affiliation (LANSCA), California International Tourism Advisory Council (CITAC) and the Japan – U.S. Sports Federation. A true “Angeleno”, born and raised in Los Angeles, he is trilingual, speaking English, Japanese and Spanish. He attended Don Bosco Technical Institute, California State University Los Angeles and Watterson College.