News & Updates

Leader Board – August 2019

LEAD

August 19, 2019

Chanelle Hawken (09), Vice President of Government Affairs for Cox Communications and a member of LEAD’s Board of Directors, is serving as Co-Chair of The New Children’s Museum’s annual gala, Studio 200 on Island: Into the Future, to be held November 9th. Jabez LeBret (19), Chief of Schools for Sisu Academy, recently interviewed Qualcomm co-founder Dr. Irwin M. Jacobs during a fireside chat at the EDInnovateLive conference at University of San Diego. Bob Alden (06), who in retirement splits his time between Ft. Lauderdale and San Diego, served on the committee that supported and helped organize last month’s commissioning ceremony for the U.S. Navy’s newest guided missile destroyer, USS Paul Ignatius, in Port Everglades. Bob also recently received a second consecutive Marti Huizenga “Roll Up Your Sleeves” volunteer award from Junior Achievement, South Florida. Please join us in congratulating all!

Landau Sworn In As New U.S. Ambassador To Mexico

InternationalPolicy

August 19, 2019

Christopher Landau was sworn in as the new U.S. Ambassador to Mexico last week and arrived to his post in Mexico City on Friday. Upon arriving, the new Ambassador shared this: “I arrive with my hand extended. The United States wins when there is a prosperous and stable Mexico, and Mexico wins when there is a prosperous and stable United States.”

Landau received unanimous Senate approval August 1. The position had been vacant since Ambassador Roberta Jacobson left the post in May of 2018.

Christopher Landau was previously a partner at the law firm of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP, and prior to that was partner and associate at Kirkland & Ellis, in Washington D.C. Born in Madrid, Landau is fluent in Spanish and earned an undergraduate certificate in Latin American Studies at Harvard. His father, George Landau, served as U.S. ambassador to Venezuela, Chile, and Paraguay.

The Chamber looks forward to continued collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and look forward to working with Ambassador Landau to strengthen the political, economic, and cultural ties between the U.S. and Mexico.

Downtown Mobility Plan Update

Policy

August 16, 2019

At the Public Policy Committee on August 13, the City of San Diego gave an update on their Downtown Mobility Plan Implementation. Last year, the City committed to improving lanes for cyclists and scooter riders. This push came as a result of the climate action plan’s goal to get people out of vehicles. Bike lanes have been added to Beech St. downtown from Pacific Highway to Sixth Avenue.

Carlsbad “First-Last Mile” Program

Policy

August 16, 2019

On July 16, the Infrastructure, Housing, and Land Use Committee was briefed on the City of Carlsbad’s first-ever “first-last mile” program, a shuttle service that will take people from the Poinsettia Coaster train station to their jobs, homes, or other destinations. One of the well-documented challenges for individuals looking to move away from solo-vehicle trips is the way to get from transit to their destination. This program seeks to fill that gap and further encourage transit use. Carlsbad City Council approved the contract with a shuttle provider to service for eight to ten months beginning in August. Rides will be free to anyone with a daily or monthly pass on the Coaster, and are available on the app.

Energy & Water Committee Supports Water Conservation Rebate Tax Parity Act

Policy

August 16, 2019

The Chamber’s Energy and Water Committee and Public Policy Committee have voted to support the Water Conservation Rebate Parity Act (H.R. 2313). The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code and expands upon current law that excludes certain energy efficiency measures to now include water conservation. The bill has gained bipartisan support by representatives from Arizona, California, Maryland, Nevada, and Wisconsin.

The Chamber’s Board of Directors will vote on the bill at it’s next regularly scheduled meeting on September 26.

City Council Addresses Major Housing Regulations

Policy

August 16, 2019

The week of July 29, San Diego City Council voted on numerous housing policies. Beginning with the adoption of a mixed-use zone, and ending with the adoption of both the Balboa and Morena Specific Plans, the votes were indicative of the City’s continued focus on enacting policy that addresses the current housing crisis. Additionally, a major component of the Housing SD package, the middle-income density bonus, was approved unanimously by Council following a tense vote on an update to the City’s inclusionary housing ordinance. Although the inclusionary housing ordinance received a 5-4 vote in favor, a coalition including the Chamber will continue their efforts for technical amendments to the proposal.

MTS Business Outreach Workshops

Policy

August 16, 2019

The Chamber is partnering with Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) to hold business outreach workshops on MTS’s potential ballot measure to increase funding for transit around the region. This is a rare opportunity for employers and employees to provide feedback on what kinds of transit projects they would like to see in a ballot measure. The next workshops are: September 4 @ Riverwalk Golf Club 5:00 – 6:00 pm and September 10 @ East County Chamber 11:30 – 1:00 pm. It’s free!

Advance Session: “Teams & Managing Up”

LEAD

August 15, 2019

Earlier this month, our Advance program participants convened for a session entitled Teams and Managing Up. Beth Smits, Vice President of Customer Success for Intuit’s Consumer Group, kicked off the program by sharing her insights and “Advocate, Assist, and Act” strategy for managing up and around to deliver great outcomes. Former LEAD Board member Garry O. Ridge (16), CEO of WD-40 Company, teamed up with his colleague, President of the Americas Patricia Q. Olsem, to share insights about their company’s culture of inclusiveness and building successful teams based on trust and respect. One of the key takeaways from the talk with WD-40 was their belief that there are no mistakes, only learning moments. That shift in thinking is just part of what makes their company culture so unique. Life and Career Coach Quinn Paglierani of Crestcom SoCal presented on the importance of having effective crucial conversations. Class participants learned about the 3x3x3 Method for productive conversations with direct reports and the Dialogue Method for fielding conflict effectively. Participants got to put what they learned into immediate practice by testing out the conversation skills on each other in mock tough conversations. And retired U.S. District Judge Irma E. Gonzalez shared her wisdom about the art of negotiation from many years on the bench and in private mediation practice. Many thanks to WD-40 Company for hosting the session at their headquarters!

Chamber meets with New Consul General of Mexico in San Diego

InternationalPolicy

August 15, 2019

The Chamber’s International Business Affairs Committee met with the new Consul General of Mexico in San Diego, Ambassador Carlos González Gutiérrez, to continue strengthening the working relationship with the Mexican federal government. Ambassador González previously served as Consul General of Mexico in Austin, Texas (2015-2019), and in Sacramento (2009-2015).

IBA Committee members shared that our binational group will continue to advocate for the ratification of USMCA, addressing the Tijuana River Valley transboundary pollution, and advancing key border infrastructure projects that facilitate cross-border commerce between the United States and Mexico.

We are honored to have Ambassador González join us on our delegation trip to Washington D.C. in September.

Chamber participates in the Chamber Executives Annual Conference

InternationalPolicy

August 15, 2019

Chamber VP of International Business Affairs, Paola Avila, joined the Michigan Grand Rapids Chamber and San Antonio Chamber on a panel at the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Annual Conference in Long Beach. The panel titled “Harnessing the Power of Immigration for Growth” provided an overview of best practices to integrate immigrants into the community and workforce to spur economic growth.

A roundtable discussion followed, with panelists sharing best practices on becoming lead advocates for immigration reform at state and federal level and strategies to better integrate the immigrant population in their respective regions.