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| Volume 2, Issue 8 |
President's Update By Ruben Barrales, President & Chief Executive Officer
I am proud to announce the appointment of Lani Lutar as the Chamber’s new Vice President of Public Policy. Lutar will oversee the Chamber’s public policy and government affairs efforts.
Lutar brings experience, professionalism and a successful track record to the Chamber. Most recently, she served as the well-respected President of the San Diego County Taxpayers’ Association. Previously, she was the Executive Director of the Asian Business Association of San Diego. She is an effective public policy advocate and we look forward to welcoming her to the Chamber team to work on issues that are important to our members.
Last week, the Chamber’s public policy efforts included work at the local, state and federal levels of government. We testified at San Diego City Hall in support of Westfield's efforts to redevelop University Towne Center (UTC). The project will add 8,000 construction jobs and 2,000 permanent jobs, and generate over $7 million annually to the City's general fund. Westfield will also invest in a new regional transit center, construct the largest solar project in San Diego, and use reclaimed water. UTC will be the first environmentally friendly LEED Gold certified shopping center in the country.
Also last week, the Chamber’s Mexico Business Center hosted the U.S./Mexico Border Efficiency Conference. We brought together local business leaders such as Malin Burnham and John McNeece with state and local officials from the U.S. and Mexico. Our goal is to improve the security and efficiency of existing ports of entry, and to open two new crossings at Otay Mesa II and at the Tijuana International Airport.
Recommendations from the conference will be shared with Baja Governor Osuna Millan during our visit to Mexicali on August 11, 2008, and in our meetings with Congressional and Administration leaders during our mission to Washington, D.C. on September 21-24, 2008.
As always, feel free to contact me with questions or suggestions at rbarrales@sdchamber.org. |