North Bay Business Journal

On airport, business makes voice heard

Call it a tipping point or an epiphany, but business has found its voice on the critical public policy issues of the day.

Survey shows enduring voter support for SMART

A majority of voters in Marin and Sonoma counties said they would oppose the repeal of Measure Q, the sales tax measure funding the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit project, according to poll results released today by the North Bay Leadership Council. Critics say that the level of support has fallen since 2008.

Algebra academies reaching more and more students

SANTA ROSA – The Mike Hauser Algebra Academy, sponsored by the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, is expanding to other cities in Sonoma and Marin counties. Now in its fourth year, the academy has helped more than 200 English language learners going into eighth and ninth grades appreciate the practical value of math in the real world.

Business news: Week of April 18, 2011

Brief business news from the North Bay counties.

Even in tough times, marketing key

SANTA ROSA – Marketing in a down economy can seem like a waste of money, particularly for a startup or a struggling business, but letting consumers know a business is still around may prove to be just the thing to keep it going.

NBLC leadership awards lunch Friday

PETALUMA — The North Bay Leadership Council will recognize five honorees at the 2010 Leaders of the North Bay Awards Luncheon Oct. 29 at Embassy Suites Hotel, San Rafael. The event includes a keynote address by early childhood education author and research scientist Dr. Alison Gopnik.

NBLC leadership awards luncheon Oct. 29

PETALUMA — The North Bay Leadership Council will recognize five honorees at the 2010 Leaders of the North Bay Awards Luncheon Oct. 29 at Embassy Suites Hotel, San Rafael. The event includes a keynote address by early childhood education author and research scientist Dr. Alison Gopnik.

Accounting and Finance: BPM joins NBLC; accounting board releases audit report

Burr Pilger Mayer is the newest member of North Bay Leadership Council. … The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board released a report summarizing inspection observations of audits of financial institutions and other companies during the economic crisis.

Organizations fund startup of jobs project

NORTH BAY – Three North Bay organizations have seed-funded the formation of a Jobs & Prosperity Project to educate voters on local candidates and their support of job creation.

NBLC seeks nominations

PETALUMA – The North Bay Leadership Council is seeking nominations for its 2010 Leaders of the North Bay Awards in the following categories: Caught in the Act of Leadership – Individual Excellence in Leadership, We’re All in this Together – Community Building, Paint the Community Green – Environmental Stewardship, The ‘Light Bulb’ Went On – Innovative/Entrepreneurial Spirit, and Empowering the Latino Community – Leadership within the Latino Community.

Women in Business 2010: Economic Development: Cynthia Murray

PETALUMA — Receiving the Women in Business Award in 2010 on the 10th anniversary of these awards seems somehow appropriate for Cynthia Murray, CEO and president of the North Bay Leadership Council, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. As the current leader and visionary of that organization, Ms. Murray is fluent in thinking in terms of decades.

Thursday NBLC conference to address educational attainment

PETALUMA — The importance of increasing educational attainment in the North Bay and better ways to make our students college and career ready will be the topic at North Bay Leadership Council’s Economic Insight Conference Thursday.

Conference speakers to address economy, permit best practices

NORTH BAY — The good news is that the worst part of the recession generally is over for the local construction industry, according to conference panelist Rob Eyler, chair of the Sonoma State University Economics Department and director of the institution’s Center for Regional Economic Analysis.

Dr. Eyler will be one of the panelists at the Business Journal’s annual Construction Conference on Wednesday, offering opportunities for the North Bay economy and its significant construction industry to prepare for the next business cycle.

Winners announced for 10th anniversary Women in Business awards

NORTH BAY — The North Bay Business Journal has selected 10 women from Sonoma, Marin and Napa counties for its 10th annual Women in Business awards honoring leaders, innovators and visionaries across a wide range of professions.

Construction event to focus on conditions needed for recovery

NORTH BAY — The Business Journal’s 2010 Construction Conference on May 19, titled “We’re ready: Laying the foundation for economic recovery,” will focus on taking action to build a plan for a healthy construction industry in the North Bay.
The event will be Wednesday, May 19 at the Doubletree Hotel in Rohnert Park with registration from 1 to 1:30 and the program from 1:30 to 4:30. A wine and hors d’oeuvres reception will follow. Tickets are $49 per person or $510 for a table of 10, including company name on the table. To register, call 707-521-5264, e-mail events@busjrnl.com or go to www.NorthBayBusinessJournal.com by Friday, May 14.

Woodruff-Sawyer joins leadership group

PETALUMA — Woodruff-Sawyer and Company, a privately owned independent insurance brokerage, joined the North Bay Leadership Council.

SSU forum to focus on economic corporation

ROHNERT PARK – The North Bay must act immediately to form an economic development agency focused on improving the region’s economy, according to William Silver, dean of the School of Business and Economics at SSU.

EDUCATION: Marin Education Fund seeking mentors to help with college apps

The Marin Education Fund is looking for potential mentors who have the desire to assist high school students with the college and financial aid application process. … The North Bay Leadership Council and First Five Marin and First Five Sonoma County are co-sponsoring an event entitled “Key to Economic Success in the 21st Century: Investment in Early Childhood Programs.” … Sonoma State University’s campus will be closed two Fridays a month during the spring semester in order to save money on utilities as part of the reductions caused by the current state budget crisis. … Pamela Martens, superintendent of the Sonoma Valley Unified School District, submitted her resignation as superintendent effective Jan. 11, but agreed to remain with the district to assist with a transition to new leadership until June 30.

After Hours: NBLC mixer / American Canyon Wal-Mart

July 15: North Bay Leadership Council mixer at Infineon Raceway / July 22: American Canyon Wal-Mart event highlighting locally grown produce and agriculture literacy for California students. Published in the Business Journal Sept. 21, 2009.

NBLC to honor leaders

NORTH BAY – The North Bay Leadership Council will honor five individuals and organizations as leaders that have been positive catalysts for change at its annual Leaders of the North Bay awards.