CITY OF SACRAMENTO
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT and
EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY BOARD

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The Board:
     Membership
     Members
     Organization
     Committees

Meeting Schedules:
     The Board
     Committees

Agenda:
    The Board
    Committees:
        Outreach and
        Communications

Meeting Minutes:
   The Board

MEMBERS

CHAIR

Lauren Morgan

Category: Employment Issues/EEO

Appointment Date: 7/18/06

Re-Appointment Date: 7/29/08

Term Expires:  5/09/10

Lauren Morgan became Board Chair in February 2008.  She has been fully engaged in the activities of the Board, serving as Chair of the Outreach and Communications Committee in 2007.

Lauren is the Human Resource Manager for Runyon Saltzman & Einhorn, Inc., an integrated marketing communications company, located in downtown Sacramento. Lauren got her start in Human Resources over 18 years ago and has worked for some well known regional companies, including Vision Services Plan, HealthNet, and Valley Media.  She moved to Sacramento from the Bay Area over 10 years ago.

Lauren earned her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Social Science from University of California, at Berkeley.  She also holds a certificate in Human Resource Management from University of California at Davis Extension. More recently in 2005, Lauren earned her Senior Professional in Human Resources Certification from the Society for Human Resource Management, and attended the City of Sacramento Management Academy

VICE-CHAIR

Molly Stuart

Category: Small Business

Appointment Date: 3/6/07

Term Expires:  1/22/09

A management consultant and professional negotiator, certified in mediation and critical incident interventions, Molly Stuart holds an undergraduate degree in psychology, a law degree, and a real estate broker’s license.  She attended law school at the University of the Pacific and is licensed by the State Bar of California.

Molly Stuart has been working to improve organizational functioning for over 19 years.  Her specialties focus on organizations in times of great change, managing ground zero startups, turnaround of failing organizations, preparation for acquisition/merger, or succession planning/exit strategy.  Clients include trade book publishers, energy producers, quasi-governmental organizations, and international non-profits. 

Molly’s numerous awards, on a local, regional and nation level, recognizes her accomplishments in business improvement and contributions to issues affecting businesses and people.  Recognition of her endeavors has been by US SBA as an Entrepreneurial Leader, and the 2006 State Star for California Leadership Excellence.

As a seasoned business consultant and expert in staff development, Molly Stuart now adds her expertise and enthusiasm to support the growth of non-profits, private enterprise, and the City of Sacramento Small Business Development and Employment Advisory Board.

SMALL BUSINESS MEMBERS

Edgar Calderon

Appointment Date: 7/18/06

Re-Appointment Date: 7/29/08

Term Expires:  5/3/10

Edgar Calderon brings community activism, professional public relations, and entrepreneurial resources to the City. He currently is the Sales Director for KBTV-8 Global Television, involving advertisements and community public relations for a diversity of multicultural and multi-ethnic TV programming. 

Edgar’s previous experiences involve: Vice President of Operations for Spanish Phone Directories Inc.; Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of the first Yellow Pages in Spanish for the cities of Sacramento, Stockton, and Modesto; Media Development Coordinator at Access Sacramento Cable Television Channels 17 and 18; Advertising Specialist in the Sacramento area for “Vida en El Valle”, a bilingual newspaper publication of The Sacramento Bee for coverage in Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, and Yolo Counties.

Edgar also ventured in business with “La Pulga Classifieds, LLC” a bi-lingual (English/Spanish) periodical shoppers’ magazine for the Greater Sacramento Area to the Latin-American Community.

His participation and membership on numerous boards, advisory councils, chambers of commerce, and professional organizations provides a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic perspective in the Sacramento region.  For his efforts, Edgar has received recognition in awards and honors:  2006 Small Business Owner of the Year Nomination, Excellence in Local Cable Programming 1st Place Award, Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 2003 Volunteer of the Year, Regional Toastmaster International Contest 2nd Place Award for Humorous Speech.

Currently, he serves as Chair of the Communications and Outreach Committee of the City’s Small Business Development and Employment Advisory Board.

Edgar was born in Managua, Nicaragua; married to Matilde Calderon, and proud father of two sons, one a Sacramento Firefighter, the other a US Air Force Officer.

Elizabeth Cantu

Appointment Date: 1/22/08

Term Expires:  5/3/09

Elizabeth Cantu is focused to serve her region.  Her involvement in community issues has allowed her to establish relationships in government, business, and public education.   She is active and passionate about her community. She is honored to be appointed by Mayor Heather Fargo and serve on the City’s Small Business Development and Employment Advisory Board.

Currently, she is a Regional Business Development Representative for the Northeast California Better Business Bureau; Elizabeth Cantu has developed long term relationships with community organizations and the business community. 

Previously, she worked as a census bureau enumerator, which provided her many insights to the needs of her community.  Elizabeth has also been an on-air personality for KJAY Valley Sunset Music Show.  Her on-air moniker is “Liz Cantu-Cando” which has been a constant throughout the years.  She also brings experience from Hewitt and Associates Advertising Agency in concert promotions, public relations, and advertising in the Sacramento area.

Elizabeth’s community involvement includes: 65th Street Redevelopment Advisory Committee, Tahoe Park Neighborhood Association, West Campus High School Site Council and various other school committees, President of Toastmasters Articulators Club, Northern California Christians in Commerce Woman’s Organization.

Elizabeth has attended Consumnes River College, minored in Communication Broadcasting, and continues to pursue her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.  She is a graduate of Sacramento High School.

Elizabeth was raised in East Sacramento and resides in the vicinity of Tahoe Terrace with her husband Daniel and two children, Danielle Lee (age 19) and Josh (age 17).

Rasha A. Salama

Category: Small Business

Appointment Date: 7/29/08

Term Expires:  5/3/10

Rasha Salama is the Operations Manager at SymSoft Solutions, LLC - a technology solutions and services provider specializing in e-Government and e-Business solutions. Ms. Salama is committed to strengthening and promoting the small business community. Rasha is enthusiastic and dedicated to this collaborative effort between small businesses, the Advisory Board, and the City of Sacramento to impact the economic development of the Sacramento area.

Education: Master of Arts in Community Development & Advanced Business Studies Certificate, California State University Sacramento. Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, American University in Cairo.

• Board & Volunteer Experience:
• MAAN (A nonprofit Organization for development of Sudanese Women)
• Community Pride Project/ Hiram Johnson – Mentor
• Folsom Prison – World Meditation Group Leader
• Divine Mission – Executive Committee, Treasurer
• Sacramento Mediation Center – Volunteer Mediator

EMPLOYMENT ISSUES MEMBERS

Eugene D. Jones

Appointment Date: 2/13/06

Re-Appointment Date: 2/13/08

Term Expires:  1/22/10

Eugene D. Jones is a Human Resources Supervisor for United Parcel Services, for the past 20 years.

Education:

• Masters of Arts, Human Resources Management, National University
• Bachelor of Arts, Health and Safety Studies, California State University, Sacramento Certified Mediator.

Current Board Experience:

• Yolo County Board of Supervisors Workforce Investment Board (WIB), a coalition of private industry, labor unions, educational and community services, and government agencies cooperating to serve residents and businesses of Yolo County through economic development and workforce training;
• Sacramento Human Resources Management Association (SHRMA);
• Greater Sacramento Urban League – Employment Advisory Panel
• President of National Pan-Hellenic Council, Sacramento;
• Life Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Sacramento.

Eugene was born in Vallejo, CA. and moved to Sacramento to attend college.  He is married to Hollie Ivory-Jones and has three daughters, Eugena, Niara, and Melisa (with Eugene II on the way).

Cindy G. Oropeza

Appointment Date: 3/6/07

Term Expires:  1/22/09

Ms. Cindy Oropeza, as a Human Resources Manager at the UC Davis Health System, has oversight in a number of Human Resource/Employment programs, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Office.  She also oversees the Benefits, Employee Relations, Mediation Services, Sexual Harassment Education, and the Faculty and Staff counseling services (ASAP). 

As the UCDHS EEO and Title IX Officer, Ms. Oropeza is responsible for coordinating the Health System’s compliance with equal opportunity laws, non discrimination and sexual harassment policies.  Her office also facilitates complaint resolution of both internal and external complaints of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.  Ms. Oropeza is also involved in the development and implementation of innovative and effective training programs, seminars, and materials designed to educate the University community about cultural competence, diversity, equal opportunity, discrimination, and harassment prevention.

Ms. Oropeza has in the past served on several community boards including the Human Rights Fair Housing Commission, the Affirmative Action Committee for the County of Sacramento, and currently holds a leadership position with the University of California System wide AA/EEO Administrators Council.

Trina McKie

Appointment Date: 7/29/08

Term Expires:  1/22/10

Currently, a Personnel Specialist with the County of Sacramento, Trina has been actively involved in labor and employment issues for more than 10 years.  She has held a variety of positions in the public and private sectors, including Corporate Accountant and Director of Member Services for an international labor union. 

Also, as a former small business owner, consultant and analyst, Trina has worked with hundreds of small businesses and nonprofit organizations in a variety of areas, including human resources and personnel management.  She is also a community educator, teaching subjects that focus on the start-up and management of small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Trina’s writing hobby has resulted in several self-published projects including a 14-part booklet series she produced for her small business clients. Trina was also Managing Editor for a national publication whose primary goals were to provide employment resources to the difficult-to-hire.  Her current writing projects include a fiction collection that explores the trials, tribulations, and hilarious moments women often face in today’s workplace.

She is a long-time and active advocate for equal employment and economic self-sustainability.  She served as a steering committee member on several successful living wage campaigns.  She formed and managed two career development centers and was Founder and Executive Director for a non-profit initiative committed to the socio-economic advancement of the working poor.  Some of the initiative’s most prominent programs included its crimes-to-careers and welfare-to-work programs.

Trina is a member of the Western Region International Public Management Association – Human Resources.  She is also a former member of the Sacramento County Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Committee.  

Her undergraduate studies include Finance, Accounting, and Computer Technology.  She is currently taking pre-law classes to assist in her pursuit of becoming a practicing Attorney specializing in Business and Employment law.

CITY RESIDENT MEMBER

Brent Yager

Appointment Date: 7/29/08

Term Expires:  5/3/10

Brent Yager is a lifelong resident of Sacramento. Brent has worked in the technology industry for over 17 years and currently is employed at Intel as a Development Manager.  Brent also owns a small consulting firm, Solvix, doing business in Sacramento for nearly 8 years.

Brent grew up attending local public schools, where he studied computer programming and interned at IBM.  He obtained an Associate's Degree in Mathematics from American River College and a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from National University.  He continues to enhance his education, including various certifications. He recently completed the UC Davis Executive Program. 

Brent is happily married to his wife, Valerie, who is also a business owner and operator. They are proud parents of a baby daughter, Josephine.

His appointment to the Small Business Development and Employment Advisory Board is his first public position.  Brent is very excited to be involved in decisions made in his local community and in Sacramento. 

CITY MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENT

Jim Rinehart

Appointment Date: 2/20/07

Re-Appointment: 7/29/08

Term Expires: 1/22/09

Jim Rinehart was appointed the Manager of Economic Development for the City of Sacramento on January 9, 2006.  As such, he has citywide responsibilities for economic development activities, including areas in infrastructure, financing, marketing, and small business development.

Prior to employment with the City of Sacramento, Jim had served in a variety of economic capacities. He was the Project Director for the recently constructed Stockton Arena, Ball Park and Event Center; Director of the State Office of Business Development; and Director of the City of Oakland's Redevelopment and Economic Development Office.

Jim brings board experience as a Member of the State Industrial Development Financing Board; Chair of the Governor's Biotechnology Commission; appointed by the Secretary of Commerce to the Federal International Export Trade Board.

His academic background includes Bachelors and Masters Degrees in chemistry and business from University of California and Pepperdine University.

Updated 3-28-07