North Bay Business Journal

2010 Forty Under 40: The winners

The winners of the Business Journal’s fourth-annual Forty under 40 awards were selected from more than 75 nominees and represent new honorees not previously chosen in 2007, 2008 or 2009.

Wine conference presenters will focus on building value

NORTH BAY — What’s it worth to you? It’s a vital question vintners need to ask themselves, regardless of whether they are looking to sell a luxury-tier wine to consumers more conscious of spending on such luxuries or to court an investor in all or part of the business, according to experts set to speak at a wine business conference this week in Santa Rosa.

Impact Marin speakers’ presentations posted

To view the presentations given by speakers at the Business Journal’s 2010 Impact Marin Conference on March 11, go to the Resources page. The first panel addressed “The economy, your business and government fiscal crises,” and the second panel presented both sides of the issue “Is Marin Clean Energy right for Marin County?”

SSU conference ‘call to action’ on economy gets response

NORTH BAY – “This is a call to action,” said Dr. William Silver, dean of the School of Business and Economics at Sonoma State University when he opened its annual economic outlook conference Feb. 25.

Pros and cons of the Marin Clean Energy program

There’s been vigorous discussion in recent months over a plan to provide a significant portion of the energy demand for Marin County from renewable sources through a community choice aggregation program called Marin Clean Energy. The Business Journal invited both sides of the Marin Clean Energy debate to present their views here and in more detail at the Impact Marin 2010 conference on March 11.

Marin Clean Energy — pro: Program offers key green benefits

Marin Clean Energy is a Community Choice Aggregation program that is designed to serve Marin’s priorities. It allows electric consumers to choose non-polluting renewable energy, lower Marin’s greenhouse gas emissions, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, foster development of local green power generation and clean technologies and protect Marin homes and businesses from uncertain fuel prices.

Marin Clean Energy — con: Plan carries far too many risks

The financial crisis is forcing Marin residents and businesses to spend less and work more. The regional unemployment rate has doubled in two years to 10 percent. Every day, another Marin family is losing their home to foreclosure.

Economic Outlook Conference presentations available for viewing

NORTH BAY – The slideshow presentations of speakers at yesterday’s Economic Outlook Conference are available on the Resources page of the Business Journal Web site in PDF format.

The event put on by Sonoma State University’s School of Business and Economics in collaboration with the Business Journal focused on a call to action for the North Bay to create a regional economic development corporation to leverage “cooperative competition” in creating industry clusters that will support and sustain job growth.

Behavior, transparency said keys to reducing health costs

SANTA ROSA, NORTH BAY –Employers occupy a vital role in transforming the U.S. health care system, not only as a payer but also with its influence, attendees were told Wednesday at the Business Journal’s annual health care conference.

Conference attendees offer thoughts on reform

Attendees of the 2009 Business Journal Health Care Solutions that Work conference were asked the question: What is the one thing that could be done either in the North Bay or nationally to improve health care?

Energy, GHG initiatives rolling toward North Bay

NORTH BAY, ROHNERT PARK — In a conference featuring the region’s foremost experts in sustainability policy and business at least one theme was made abundantly clear — climate change will force drastic and often difficult change at home and work, much of which will depend on collaboration.
(For copies of the panelists’ PowerPoint presentations, click on the Resources tab at the top of this page.)

Keynote Speaker: Sheila Murray Bethel pioneered speaking on leadership

Sheila Murray Bethel, Ph.D. Chairwoman,Bethel Institute 155 Las Juntas Way,Walnut Creek 94597 800-548-8001 www.bethelinstitute.com Having emigrated to the U.S. from Croatia, the parents of Sheila Murray Bethel instilled in their daughter a fascination with leaders, encouraging her to learn about the country she was born into. Together they studied American presidents and lived the example [...]

Women in Business 2009 awards dinner photo gallery

This is a gallery of pictures from the Women in Business 2009 awards dinner, honoring eight women from Sonoma, Marin and Napa counties who have distinguished themselves as leaders, innovators and visionaries in their fields.

Women in Business 2009: Senior Living: Building Sequoia Senior Solutions and a touching farewell

PETALUMA, NORTH BAY – As president and chief executive officer of the largest company of its kind in the North Bay, Sequoia Senior Solutions’ Gabriella Ambrosi could boast about her career’s greatest triumph, notably, the acquisition of her principal competitor in 2007. But recalling her profession’s most gratifying moment, the Italian-born mother of three gave a sincere depiction of a client’s tender farewell.

Women in Business 2009: Education: Product of junior colleges now leads one

MARIN COUNTY – When Dr. Frances White, president and superintendent of College of Marin, was a young girl, she wanted to be an opera singer. Her mother played classical music, and she would go to sleep hearing the sounds of the piano. Her father was a preacher, and she would sing in church. Luckily for the community college education system, she gave up that dream to become an educator.

Women in Business 2009: Construction: Keeping the earth in mind while managing a dozen construction enterprises

SANTA ROSA – “We’re stewards of this earth. How can we make this a better place?”

Those words may seem more apt from an environmental activist than a top Sonoma County quarry operator and real estate developer, but they help explain Marlene Soiland’s influence on “greening” the local construction industry and her leadership in the family businesses.

Women in Business 2009: Entrepreneurship: Love of books, writers, community defines Elaine Petrocelli

CORTE MADERA – Elaine Petrocelli shines like a beam of light in the shadow of the big retail stores. Her Book Passage, the literary center of Marin County since 1976, is proof that independent book stores need not be snuffed out.

Women in Business 2009: Health Care: Kaiser COO sees health care as ‘incredible mission’

SAN RAFAEL – From her beginnings as a teen volunteer in a rural Montana hospital to her work as a registered nurse and international medical volunteer, Kaiser administrator Jill Magri has dedicated her entire career to the industry.

Women in Business 2009: Economic Development: Drawn to Napa and to helping people be their best

NAPA – About to celebrate 10 years with the Napa Chamber of Commerce, Kate King, the president and chief executive officer, cites the advocacy role of her job as her chief passion.

Women in Business 2009: Nonprofit: Life, career progression led Cris Chater to support elderly

SAN RAFAEL – Though she refuses to accept sole recognition for saving it, Marin County’s only provider of adult day health care services would most certainly have closed without the staunch leadership of Cris Chater.