Member of the Month Archive

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

(CalChamber) In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law expert Jennifer Shaw discuss what employers need to consider before mandating that their employees get the COVID-19 vaccine. *This podcast was recorded on January 12. Listeners should be aware that given the unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic, information shared on this podcast episode may change at any time. The recent distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine has sparked a lot of questions from employers and many of them are asking whether employees can be required to get the vaccine, Frank tells podcast listeners. Because th...

California’s New Series of COVID-19 Reporting Requirements

Monday, December 21, 2020

(CalChamber) During the 2020 California legislative session, COVID-19 forced lawmakers to pivot from their routine business to addressing the growing pandemic, and answering the question: "One of my employees just reported that they tested positive for COVID-19. Do I have to report this positive case?" In response, the Legislature enacted SB 1159 and AB 685 that created certain reporting requirements for employers when learning of a positive case. Following up, Cal/OSHA recently approved and implemented COVID-19 emergency regulations that also create a set of reporting requirements. Outline of Requirements To help readers sort out these varied requirements, we have created the table below outlining th...

CalChamber Joins California’s Community Vaccine Advisory Committee

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

(CalChamber) The California Chamber of Commerce will be joining a broad coalition of community stakeholders to serve on the state’s Community Vaccine Advisory Committee. The committee will help guide the state’s decision making about COVID-19 vaccine distribution and allocation. As the first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine arrive in California, state officials plan to leverage a well-established existing immunization framework and emergency response infrastructure to coordinate efforts between state, local, and territorial authorities to distribute and administer the vaccine. The Community Vaccine Advisory Committee will build on the work of the Scientific Safety Review Work Group and the Drafting Guidelines Work Group. The Committe...

Mayor Farrah N. Khan Announces COVID-19 and Business Reopening Task Forces

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan has announced the formation of COVID-19 and Business Reopening task forces to guide the city in 2021 and beyond. The City, in partnership with key business leaders, will coordinate establishment of the Business Reopening Task Force to assist the Mayor in her efforts to help promote small business growth, support local entrepreneurship, target industry relocation within City boundaries, and assist the City in remaining responsive to the business community. Additionally, it advises the Mayor on topics where the City has the ability to shape issues affecting the business community. The Taskforce provides a foru...

UC Irvine’s Chris Schwarz to Headline Greater Irvine Chamber's 2021 Business Outlook

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Chris Schwarz, associate professor of finance and faculty director of the Center for Investment and Wealth Management at University of California, Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business, returns for the third year to the Greater Irvine Chamber Business Outlook event. A popular opening speaker in the past, Schwarz headlines the 2021 event, delivering his presentation digitally on Thursday, Jan. 28, at 12:00 p.m. “An expert in the field of economics, Chris Schwarz is also a crowd favorite, capturing the attention of large audiences with his knowledge, insights, and good humor about a salient topic,” said Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “His observations and analyses are now mor...

Bryan Starr Introduces Holiday Shopping Guide in Irvine Standard

Wednesday, December 09, 2020

Residents and visitors alike enjoy Irvine’s open-air shopping centers during the holidays. The lights, sights, and sounds create an outdoor experience unlike anywhere in Southern California. This year, Irvine Standard has made the experience even easier by providing a gift guide with ideas, from fitness to fashion, at dozens of shops throughout the city – all just a short walk or drive from home. Shopping local not only supports local businesses, but it also strengthens Irvine’s economy. The sales tax from these centers helps to maintain Irvine’s top-rated park system and the city’s modern police department, which has kept Irvine as America’...

Applications Open for Small Business Hiring Tax Credit

Wednesday, December 02, 2020

(CalChamber) The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) began accepting applications today for a small business hiring credit against California state income taxes or sales and use taxes. The credit (authorized by SB 1447) is available to certain California qualified small business employers that receive a tentative credit reservation. Credit reservations will be allocated to qualified small business employers on a first-come, first-served basis. The reservation system became available today at 8 a.m. and continues through January 15, 2021, according to the CDTFA. The credit applies to California small businesses that meet the following qualifications: Employed 100 or fewer employees as of Decembe...

Greater Irvine Chamber Website Features Resources for New Businesses and Members

Wednesday, December 02, 2020

The Greater Irvine Chamber recently added a Business Ready Checklist page to its website, which includes Building Better Businesses 1. 2. 3. resources aimed at helping new and existing businesses optimize disruption readiness and minimize vulnerabilities. Resources include a checklist of fundamental business operations, templates, and a list of partner organizations offering free or affordable business support programs, and opportunities for pro bono advice from business experts. Additionally, the Chamber’s website newly features a New Member Toolkit page of resources for new members to help them navigate the benefits of their membership and business growth opportunities. To become a Greater Irvine Chambe...

Top Companies Sponsor Greater Irvine Chamber 40 Under 40 Awards

Wednesday, December 02, 2020

Several top companies sponsor the Greater Irvine Chamber 40 Under 40 awards presentation, which will be delivered digitally on Thursday, Dec 3, 12 – 1 p.m. Joining Presenting Sponsor Antis Roofing & Waterproofing are: Sustainability Sponsor: Waste Management Healthcare Sponsor: City of Hope Orange County Event Sponsors: B Braun CBE Chevron Concordia University, Irvine COX Diamond Jamboree Easterseals Edwards Lifesciences FivePoint GDR Group Google Greater Newport Physicians HBLA Hoag Hoag Orthopedic Institute Jackson Titus Kaiser Permanente Kelley Bluebook Orange County Soccer Club OmniPrint Parker Aerospace SoCalGas Southern California Edison UC Irvine WNDE Zillow Group These companies support the Greater Irvine Chamber as it recognizes the next generation of business leaders and advocates who are making strides in their industries and the business community in Orange County For more information about the 40 Under 40 award...

Vivian Atkinson Named November 2020 Member of the Month

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Vivian Atkinson, branch owner of Express Employment Professionals, has been named the Greater Irvine Chamber Member of the Month for November 2020. A Chamber member since 2012, Atkinson holds leadership roles, including serving on the Board of Directors since 2018 and chairing the Ambassadors Committee, for which she has been a member since 2013. She has volunteered to conduct primary research on behalf of the Greater Irvine Chamber through several Business Outreach Rallies, including the virtual event held in August amid the Coronavirus-related shutdown. Atkinson spearheaded another outreach: coordinating Ambassadors to connect with difficult-to-reach Chamber members by telephone to access thei...

Kaiser Permanente Renews as Greater Irvine Chamber Gold-Level Leaders Circle Sponsor

Monday, November 09, 2020

Kaiser Permanente has renewed its gold-level Leaders Circle sponsorship with the Greater Irvine Chamber. Kaiser Permanente’s mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of its members and the communities it serves. As a nonprofit health care system, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, and their respective subsidiaries advance this mission through investments in high-quality integrated care and coverage to make health care more affordable. Leaders Circle members of the Greater Irvine Chamber are among the most influential companies and organizations in Irvine and Orange County. They take a proactive role in supporting the region’s business community at the highes...

Antis Roofing & Waterproofing Returns as Greater Irvine Chamber 40-Under-40 Presenting Sponsor

Wednesday, November 04, 2020

Antis Roofing & Waterproofing is returning as the Presenting Sponsor of the Greater Irvine Chamber 40-Under-40 awards presentation, which will be delivered digitally on Thursday, Dec. 3, 12 – 1 p.m. “Yes, —it’s here again! Antis Roofing is thrilled to return as the Presenting Sponsor of the 2020 Greater Irvine Chamber 40-Under-40. These young leaders are making the wake! They’re not merely riding the wave, nor standing watching idly on the shore. They’re world-changers,” said Charles Antis, president, Antis Roofing & Waterproofing. During the presentation, the Greater Irvine Chamber will recognize the next generation of business leaders and advocates who are making strides in their industries and the busines...

Chevron Renews Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle Sponsorship

Wednesday, November 04, 2020

Chevron has renewed its sponsorship with the Greater Irvine Chamber as a silver-level Leaders Circle member. Established as the Pacific Coast Oil Co. in 1879, today Chevron is a leading energy provider worldwide. Chevron’s success is driven by its people and their commitment to get results the right way – by operating responsibly, executing with excellence, applying innovative technologies and capturing new opportunities for profitable growth. Leaders Circle members of the Greater Irvine Chamber are among the most influential companies and organizations in Irvine and Orange County. They take a proactive role in supporting the region’s business community at the highest level. For information on how to become ...

Bryan Starr Presents on the State of Business, Coronavirus Response to Irvine City Council

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Bryan Starr, President and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber, presented on the state of business in Irvine to the Irvine City Council. The Oct. 27 presentation, made by telephone in consideration of COVID-19 safety measures, covered Irvine’s workforce, businesses that are doing well despite the crisis. Starr mentioned Edwards Lifesciences, Johnson & Johnson, Masimo, Medtronix, and others, which are developing COVID-related technology from testing, monitoring, and PPE, to vaccines. “Irvine is leading the way for the state of California when it comes to dealing with how we move forward through COVID,” he said. The hotel and tourism industry and small businesses are most at ris...

OCTA Renews Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle Sponsorship

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has renewed its silver-level Leaders Circle sponsorship with the Greater Irvine Chamber. Since its formation in 1991, OCTA has kept residents and commuters moving throughout the 34 cities and unincorporated areas of Orange County. OCTA’s responsibilities, programs and services impact every aspect of transportation within the state’s third largest county. A member of the Chamber since 2016, OCTA keeps people moving by reducing freeway congestion, improving safety and efficiency on our local roads, providing bus service and regional multimodal connections, helping people find ways to leave their cars home, and providing safe, convenient transportation to those with special needs. Leader...

Easterseals Southern California Renews as Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle Sponsor

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Easterseals Southern California (ESSC) has renewed its Leaders Circle partnership with the Greater Irvine Chamber as a bronze-level sponsor. Easterseals Southern California has been a member of the Greater Irvine Chamber since 2018. For more than 100 years, Easterseals has been an indispensable resource for people with disabilities and their families. The services provided by Easterseals Southern California—in Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Ventura counties—make profound and positive differences in people's lives every day, helping them address life’s challenges and achieve personal goals so that they can live, learn, work, and play in our communities. With nearl...

Seven Executives Appointed to Greater Irvine Board of Directors

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Seven executives from organizations either headquartered or with offices in Orange County have been appointed to the Greater Irvine Chamber Board of Directors. The Chamber welcomes to its Board: Mayssa Attar, Ph.D., DABT, Vice President, Non-Clinical and Translational Sciences, Research and Development, AbbVie Attar leads an AbbVie integrated Translational Sciences unit with a team of scientists primarily focusing on neurotoxins, eye care, and aesthetics product development. Attar spent more than 21 years at Allergan (a company of AbbVie). Prior to joining the industry, Mayssa was an academic research scientist at the Loeb Research Institute in Ottawa, Canada. Since 2005, Attar has taught a...

UC Irvine Renews as Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle Platinum Partner

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

University of California, Irvine (UCI) continues to increase its community engagement, renewing as a Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle platinum-level partner. Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, and innovation. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 36,000 students and offers 222 degree programs. Located in Irvine—one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities—UCI is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $5 billion annually to the local economy. Leaders Circle members of the Greater Irvine Chamber are among the most influential companies an...

Brian Dozer Named Greater Irvine Chamber October Member of the Month

Tuesday, October 06, 2020

Brian Dozer, president, Vital Link, has been named the Greater Irvine Chamber Member of the Month for October 2020. Since joining the Chamber in 2015, Dozer has become increasingly involved with the Chamber, holding various volunteer leadership roles on committees. He currently serves as co-chair of the Chamber’s Business & Workforce Development Committee (BWD). “I am extremely honored to receive this recognition from an organization and group of dedicated professionals that I hold in such high regard. The work that everyone does on the Business & Workforce Development Committee is so critical for our students, leaders, and businesses, especially in the curren...

Nominations Open for Greater Irvine Chamber’s 40-Under-40 Awards

Tuesday, October 06, 2020

The Greater Irvine Chamber will recognize 40 of Orange County’s best and brightest emerging professionals under the age of 40, during a virtual 40-Under-40 presentation on Thursday, Dec. 3, 12 – 1 p.m. Nominations are being accepted through Nov. 6 for professionals under the age of 40 who are making strides in their industries and the Orange County community. Nominees considered for 40-Under-40 recognition must: Be 39 years of age or younger on Dec. 3, 2020. Be employed by a business located or operating in Orange County. Have demonstrated leadership skills, integrity, and initiative. Nominate HERE The 40-Under-40 presentation is free to attend. Registration is required. Register HERE Anti...

Zillow Group Continues Partnership with Greater Irvine Chamber

Tuesday, October 06, 2020

Zillow Group, Inc. has renewed its partnership with the Greater Irvine Chamber as a gold-level Leaders Circle sponsor. Zillow has been a member of the Greater Irvine Chamber since 2012. Zillow is the leading real estate and rental marketplace serving the full lifecycle of owning and living in a home: buying, selling, renting, financing, remodeling, and more. It starts with Zillow's living database of more than 110 million U.S. homes, including homes for sale, homes for rent, and homes not currently on the market, as well as Zestimate home values, Rent Zestimates, and other home-related information. Zillow operates the most popular suit...

Greater Irvine Chamber Member Marketing Opportunities

Tuesday, August 04, 2020

Marketing is at a particular premium during these economically challenged times. As one of the many benefits of membership, the Greater Irvine Chamber offers several opportunities for members to market their products and services. Members are encouraged to: Market updates of products and services updates on their company directory profile page (accessed through the member portal) Upload product and services marketing/promotions (whether a discount or not) to the hot deals page (accessed through member portal) Submit events to the community calendar Submit newsworthy articles (other than product/services promotion or events) for inclusion in our website news Advertise with the Chamber Tourism-related businesses, retail, and restaurants have th...

Good Attendance Leads to Leads Groups’ Record Success Despite Remote Networking

Monday, July 13, 2020

The success of the Greater Irvine Chamber’s six Leads Groups is undoubtedly in large part due to record attendance. Attendance has been at its highest level despite networking being conducted online amid COVID-19 closures and social distancing practices. Following are Leads Groups members with the highest attendance record for FY 2019-2020: 22 meetings – John Forbes and Samantha Kist (1st & 3rd AM Wednesday) 22 meetings – Brian Page (1st & 3rd Wednesday) 21 meetings – Courtney Nakagawa (2nd & 4th Monday) 21 meetings – Ailene Dewar and David Harrington (1st & 3rd Tuesday) 21 meetings – Claire Na and Reza Ray Ghamsari (2nd & 4th Thursday) 13 meeting...

HBLA’s Dov Lazarus, City of Hope’s Nisha Morris Elected to Greater Irvine Chamber Board of Directors

Sunday, February 09, 2020

Dov Lazarus, CPA, audit partner at HBLA Certified Public Accountants, Inc., and Nisha Morris, associate vice president, Marketing and Communications at City of Hope Orange County, have been elected to serve on the 2020-2021 Greater Irvine Chamber Board of Directors. Lazarus has more than twenty years of accounting and auditing experience, with significant experience serving companies in a variety of industries including importing, manufacturing, distribution, automotive and retail. He has serviced some of the firm’s more significant clients. He previously worked at Price Waterhouse South Africa and Price Waterhouse Australia. Lazarus is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountant...

Member of the Month Archive

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