San Luis Obispo Business
October, 1999

The Board of Directors is elected by and from the Chamber membership. An official ballot is included in this newsletter. Ballots must be returned in the official ballot envelope to the Chamber by 5 p.m. on October 27.

Rafael Alvarez, producer at Morris & Garritano Insurance, has been an active member of the Chamber since he moved to the area two and a half years ago. Alvarez attended Santa Clara University in the Bay Area and, prior to moving to San Luis Obispo, worked for Fortune 500 companies in the Silicon Valley. An active member of the Chamber, Alvarez is Chair of the Chamber's Ambassador's Committee and is a regular participant at monthly Mixers and Good Morning SLO. In addition to his participation in the Chamber, Alvarez is committed to the community and devotes countless hours to volunteer causes. He is a Big Brother and Recruiting Chair for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of SLO County, a member of the San Luis Obispo Exchange Club, past participant in the American Heart Association's Heartwalk and Hotline Bowl-a-thon participant. In addition to these causes, Alvarez prepares and serves meals to individuals at the Prado Day Center. When asked what challenges will face the business community in the next decade and what the Chamber should do to face these challenges, Alvarez spoke to the increased pressure local businesses will face from global organizations as technology further expands. "In the current environment of mergers and acquisitions, the small to medium-sized employer will need to expand their resources to keep their advantage of innovation and service," said Alvarez. "Our Chamber will need to focus on technology and support programs to enable our local businesses to expand revenue streams outside of our area and flourish on the Central Coast."

Jeff Buckingham, a consultant for GST Telecom, was one of the original founders of the hugely successful Call America, which went on to merge with GST. An area resident for 20 years, Buckingham has been a Chamber member for 15 years and has served three previous terms on the Board of Directors. Buckingham is a graduate of Leadership San Luis Obispo (Class II) and has put his leadership skills to work in the Chamber and the community. A past member of the Chamber's Emerging Technologies committee, Buckingham is the current Chair of the Issues Evaluation committee, which shapes Chamber policy and positions through analyzing and evaluating issues. Buckingham has been a member of Rotary since 1986 and is a past member of the Executives Association, Board member of United Way and was Chair of the recent technology capitol campaign at Cuesta College. Poised to enter the next decade, Buckingham would like to work on creating a technologically-advanced community, but stresses the importance of also remembering and preserving the past. "The City of San Luis Obispo faces the challenge of preserving its rural character as the community grows further and further away from any connection with its rural population," said Buckingham. "I would like to see the Chamber work with the Farm Bureau and other rural organizations to make sure that our efforts to preserve our rural character do so without damaging things instead."

James Buttery, partner at local law firm Andre Morris & Buttery, has held his position for the past 20 years. Buttery moved to San Luis Obispo 22 years ago to raise his family and build a business. Since that time, Buttery has worked to better the community by serving on Boards of various organizations and through his involvement in the Chamber. In addition to being an active member, Buttery has coordinated legal presentations for the Criminal & Civil Justice portion of the annual Leadership San Luis Obispo program. Buttery has also served on the Board of Directors for the City of San Luis Obispo Personnel, YMCA, Private Industry Council of San Luis Obispo County, Achievement House and Black and Bold Boosters as well as spent several years coaching youth soccer and baseball. In looking towards the future, Buttery notes the importance of planning for today's children. "The community of San Luis Obispo faces the challenge of expanding and improving its economic stature so that our children will have the possibility of good jobs here – while at the same time, not sacrificing our quality of life on the Central Coast."

Roxanne Carr, division president of The Mortgage House, Inc., has been a leader in her field for more than 20 years. Her accomplishments have not gone unnoticed; she was named 1994 Business Woman of the Year by The Tribune and is a past nominee for Cuesta College's prestigious Woman of Distinction Award. Carr has lived in the area for 22 years and during that time has volunteered her time and energy for various organizations and causes. She is presently on the Board of Directors for Mission Community Bank, the Home Builders Association, Cuesta Title Company and is Chair of the UCSB Economic Forecast Project and Technology Committee for the Cuesta College Campaign. Additionally, she has served on the Board of Directors for United Way, Cure 2000 Leukemia Research Foundation, Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo and Kissed the Pig for CASA. Carr is an active supporter of the Mozart Festival, SLO Symphony and SLO International Film Festival among others. In the next decade, Carr says the Chamber will continue to face challenges of growth and will need to look at ways to meet the continuing demand for housing and retail while maintaining a special environment. Carr believes the Chamber will continue to be a front runner of innovative methods and thinks the organization should work to prepare its members by getting ahead of rapid changes in the workplace. "I believe that we have some of the brightest, most capable people imaginable, and together, we can develop new strategies to assist all of the businesses in our community."

Susan Cotler, vice president/assistant superintendent of Instruction at Cuesta College, has been instrumental in building bridges between education and business throughout her career. Prior to coming to Cuesta eight years ago, Cotler was Dean of Instruction for the Industry and Technology division at El Camino College. While there she worked closely with local businesses and industry to design educational programs for their employees and for general workforce development. Active in the Chamber and in the community, Cotler has served on the Chamber's Emerging Technology committee and has participated in various Chamber activities including the Annual Dinner, Good Morning SLO, monthly Mixers and Mixer Showcase. In addition, she has served on the Boards of several local organizations including the Private Industry Council of SLO County, C3RP, EOC Family Planning and has been Chair of the Economic Vitality Corporation and SLO Symphony. According to Cotler, there are several challenges facing the community in the next decade including, maintaining a balance between business needs and quality of life; maintaining a qualified workforce; keeping up with the rapid change of the marketplace; and working effectively with local and state government to maintain a climate that is favorable to business. In facing these challenges, "The Chamber should continue to be a resource for businesses and an advocate for the business community," said Cotler.

Andrea Dority, public relations manager for San Luis Sourdough, has been a member of the business community in San Luis Obispo since 1981. Prior to joining San Luis Sourdough, Dority was a bank manager and worked in personnel. Dority participated in one of the Chamber's first trips to Sacramento and has served on several committees, including the Legislative Action committee, Tourism Council and Adopt-A-School. A founding member of the latter, she was involved in the brainstorming process and actual implementation of the program and went on to serve as a liaison with San Luis Obispo and Pacific Beach High Schools. Dority is heavily involved in organizations throughout the community and has served as president of the SLO Women's Network and Quota Club and Board chairperson for the Family Services Center. She is a current Board member for the Cuesta College Advisory Committee, Central Coast Personnel Association, KCBX and Economic Advisory Committee and is a member of the Association of Manufacturers and Distributors and the Women's Network. "The economic health and well-being of San Luis Obispo is very important to me," said Dority. Priding herself on the ability to listen to what people are saying and then reach consensus without creating animosity, Dority notes the importance of giving people a voice as the new decade approaches. "It is important that we all have a voice and then work together to keep this a great place to live and work while moving forward."

Bert Forbes, chairman of Ziatech Corp., founded his company 20 years ago and has seen it grow substantially since that time. One of the few high-tech manufacturers in San Luis Obispo, Ziatech has grown 25% per year with Forbes at the helm. Forbes is currently finishing up his first term on the Chamber's Board of Directors and has been active and supportive of the Chamber since moved to the area and joined the organization 20 years ago. He was one of the guiding forces in helping to get the successful Leadership San Luis Obispo program started and has devoted time to connection business to education by interfacing with local schools. Forbes' commitment to the community is also strong. He is currently on the Board of Directors for the Performing Arts Center, he served on the San Luis Coastal School Board for six years and has served on various City committees devoted to updating the General Plan and formulating plans for Economic Development. Looking ahead to the next decade, Forbes sees the issue of growth, both in population and in business, as a driving force behind several issues that will need continued Chamber input. Some of those issues include water, the airport area and its annexation, economic development efforts by the City, parking and the changing economy brought about by the Internet. According to Forbes, "The Chamber must remain or become active in all these areas if San Luis Obispo is to continue to be the great place to live and work that we all know and love."

David A. Juhnke, local attorney and partner with Sinsheimer, Schiebelhut & Baggett, has been a business attorney for 19 years and has served as a volunteer and Board member for numerous non-profit organizations in the community. Juhke has lived in the area since 1986 and has been a Chamber member for more than 10 years. He is currently on the Chamber's Board of Directors, serving as Board Counsel, and is the Board representative to the Prado Day Center Steering Committee. Juhnke is also the current Chair of the Education Partnerships Committee, serves on the Legislative Issues Evaluation Committee, the Legislative/Economic Action Committee, the Value Added Benefits Committee and is a graduate of Leadership San Luis Obispo (Class IV). Active in the community, Juhnke is past Chair and current member of the SLO County Assessment Appeals Board, Director and past Chair of the SLO Literacy Council, past Director of SLO Red Cross, past Co-Chair of Cal Poly Arts' ArtSalute Fundraiser and a member of the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. In addition to this, Juhnke is also a Little League and Bambino baseball coach and AYSO soccer coach. "During the next decade, the challenges facing the business community will primarily revolve around growth," said Juhnke, adding that there are numerous questions that will need to be addressed and answered. According to Juhnke, "In order to remain a viable force in the community, the Chamber must continue to expand its efforts to educate its members and the community about these issues, to facilitate open dialogue between persons on all sides of the issues and to develop and advocate positions which will benefit the City and business community."

Mike Kee, vice president & manager of Mid-State Bank, moved to the San Luis Obispo area 12 years ago. Kee has been in banking for 27 years and has been in his current position for four-and-a-half years. The Chamber and various community organizations have benefitted from Kee's participation and commitment. Kee serves on the Chamber's Economic Development and Legislative Action committees and has served as Chair of both the Economic Vitality and Scholarship committees for other local chambers. His sizable community endeavors include, serving on the Board of Directors for the Santa Maria Valley Economic Development Association, Exchange Club-SLO and New Life Community Church (Nazarene), membership in Kiwanis-Santa Maria and Rotary in Morro Bay and Pismo Five Cities and fund raising efforts for the American Cancer Society, Muscular Dystrophy, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club in Santa Maria, American Heart Association and March of Dimes. Challenges facing the business community in the next decade, according to Kee, include attracting and retaining a qualified work force at all levels—from unskilled to clerical to professional and management; bringing new businesses to the area and providing appropriate building sites and commercial facilities for expanding businesses; and an ever-changing legislative and regulatory environment at the federal, state and local levels. Kee believes that the Chamber should continue to work closely with the business community and maintain its rapport with elected officials, City representatives, local educators and human resource groups to successfully meet all of these challenges.

Carol Kiessig, vice-president of Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort, Inc., has held her position for 25 years. In addition to running a world-class resort, Kiessig serves as vice-president of Sycamore's gourmet restaurant, The Gardens of Avila. Prior to moving to the area in 1977 she ran a professional recruiting organization with her husband in the Bay Area. Despite the demands of running a world-class resort, which is in the process of expanding, Kiessig finds time to volunteer for various organizations and serves as editor of Coastal Community News, a local publication. Kiessig has been a member of the Chamber for 30 years and has been an active member ever since. In addition to devoting time to the Chamber, Kiessig has served as President of the Shell Beach PTA and Port San Luis Marine Institute, Inc. as well as been a Commissioner on the Commission on the Status of Women and served as vice-president of development for the Cuesta College Community Foundation. According to Kiessig, "the biggest challenge facing the Chamber is the balance between business (which includes good jobs for many) and environmental concerns." The Chamber seems to be doing a fine job trying to achieve balance, said Kiessig, but she notes that "the input of heretofore ‘quiet' members of the business community might be invaluable in bringing some fresh ideas to the forefront of this very important task (achieving balance)."

Ron Rawlinson, president of The Wine Guy, Inc, has run his successful business on the Central Coast since moving to the area five years ago. Rawlinson's expertise in the wine industry, paired with a background in management, sales training and education, consultation, and communications, prepared him for the day-to-day operation of running his own business. Rawlinson's interest in the community and involvement is far reaching. In addition to being an active member of the Chamber, he is a former member of the Arroyo Grande Chamber Board of Directors and current Board member for the American Heart Association. A spokesman and advocate for the local wine community, Rawlinson is an instructor Cal Poly and wine program student mentor, a member of the KCBX Wine Classic steering committee, a lecturer for local service groups and a member of the New Life church choir. "As San Luis Obispo moves into the next millennium, the primary challenge appears to be the ability to walk that fine line of balancing the preservation of the SLO lifestyle and environment, while progressing and keeping pace with the rest of the world," said Rawlinson. Growth, according to Rawlinson, is inevitable and preferable to stagnation. He believes the challenge will be to find a way to foster a healthy business climate and local economy without compromising the values of the community.

Susan Waag, of Waag and Co., is an employment law attorney with more than 15 years of experience in her field. Waag works with businesses of all sizes to prevent employment-related problems in an effort to create a more productive workplace and is heavily involved in educating employers regarding laws and issues that will affect them. Since moving to the San Luis Obispo area more than seven years ago Waag has volunteered for numerous organizations, including the Chamber. She is a past member of the Chamber's Board of Directors, serving as Board Counsel during her term, and member of both the Legislative/Economic Action committee and Tourism Council. Waag is currently the President of the Central Coast Personnel Association, past member of the SLO Symphony Board of Directors and has served on the City's Human Relations Commission subcommittee for disabled access as well as participated on the County's task force on Sexual Harassment and helped with fund raising for the YMCA. Taking her professional experience into the classroom, Waag teaches Employment Law at Cal Poly and is a Cal State Ambassador for Higher Education. Waag says employers can expect to see a myriad of newly-enacted and expected laws that target day-to-day operations of statewide businesses in the next decade. To meet this challenge, according to Waag, the Chamber will need to utilize its ability to impact Legislators and will need to take a more active lobbying role in Sacramento. "These (new laws) will impact how employees are scheduled to work and how they are paid," said Waag. "They will limit an employer's ability to deal with otherwise simple matters and increase the cost of doing business."

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