Impact Learning Systems is proud to announce a partnership with Fast Forward to help returning soldiers find steady jobs. 

Impact Learning Systems is an international customer service training organization that helps their clients build and maintain a strong service brand.

Fast Forward is a nonprofit training center in Columbia, South Carolina that works to provide technology and education to those who have been underserved through traditional programs. 

While attending CompTIA Breakaway last fall, Fast Forward’s Executive Director, Dee Albritton, met Impact Learning Systems President, Malcolm Carlaw. They came up with the idea of offering Impact’s training programs to Fast Forward’s veteran clients.

United Way of San Luis Obispo County recently announced its volunteer leadership, which has been elected for the 2011-12 year.

Officers:
President - Wade O’Hagan, Controller at SJL Broadcast Management Corporation
Immediate Past President/Secretary – Candy Markwith, CEO at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center
Treasurer – Lance Parker, Financial Advisor at Securities America
VP Community Impact – Carla Berkefeld, CPA at Glenn Burdette
VP Resource Development - Char Storlie, Central Coast Division Manager at The Mortgage House

The finalists for the seventh annual Sunset Western Wine Awards were were announced earlier this month and two of the 32 of the West’s best winemakers are Chamber members and are now one step closer to receiving the highest honor in Western wine.

Clayhouse Wines' 2010 "Adobe Pink" was on the list of finalists, and Treana & Hope Family Wines' label Liberty School saw it's 2009 Chardonnay on the list of finalists. 

The finalists will be celebrated and the winners revealed exclusively on Sept. 30 at the Sunset Western Wine Awards Gala, one of the most highly anticipated events at Sunset Savor the Central Coast, an extraordinary food and wine event that will be held throughout San Luis Obispo County, from Sept. 29 through Oct. 2.

Lee Johnson, a partner at Collaboration business consulting, will soon become the new CEO and president of Mainstream Energy, one of the largest US solar companies headquartered in San Luis Obispo.

Mainstream’s business units include REC Solar and AEE Solar. Johnson will remain in San Luis Obispo and will continue to be involved with Collaboration in an advisory role.

Johnson has worked directly with business owners to help streamline their business processes, and prior to his role at Collaboration, he was the vice president of AEE Solar.

With only three more weeks to vote on America's Favorite Farmers Market, the San Luis Obispo Downtown Association is urging everyone to make San Luis Obispo's Thursday Night Promotions Farmers' Market one of the Top 20 "Large" Farmers' Market in the country and the Best Farmers' Markets in California. 

Please take the time to visit America's Favorite Farmers Market and cast your vote for SLO Downtown Thursday Night Farmers' Market. 

The deadline to vote is Aug. 31 at midnight.

The Foundation for the Performing Arts Center, which is the organization responsible for raising private funds to support our magnificent Performing Arts Center, recently announced the appointment of Heather Cochrane as its new executive director. 

After an extensive review of applications and a tailored and collaborative interview process, in-person interviews were conducted and Cochrane was ultimately selected to head up the Foundation.  

“We are excited about working with Heather.," said Jeanne Potter, the foundation’s board president. "She brings genuine warmth and professionalism that will bring new excitement to the Foundation’s mission of growing friendships and funding for the Performing Arts Center." 

Cuesta College is seeking local businesses to participate in its annual, community job fair. The event will be held on Sept. 14 at the Paso Robles Inn Ballroom in Paso Robles, Calif.

To reserve a space at the job fair, business owners can call Louise at (805) 587-6365. A refundable $45 deposit to reserve booth space will be returned on the day of the event. Each vendor will be provided with a six-foot table and tablecloth. 

San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation (SLOCCF) recently received notification that it has met the nation’s highest philanthropic standards for operational quality, integrity and accountability. The notice comes from the Community Foundations National Standards Board, a national accreditation organization based in Arlington, Va. 

“This is similar to the Good Housekeeping Seal for community foundations,” said Diane Miller, manager of Community Foundations National Standards Board. “It says that San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation has demonstrated a commitment to operational quality, integrity and accountability.” 

The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations' program requires community foundations to document their policies for donor services, investments, grantmaking and administration. Not all community foundations are eligible to apply for this certification, and not all applicants pass the review. The program is designed to provide quality assurance to donors, as well as to their legal and financial advisors.

Paso Robles locals and owners of We Olive, the market-leading brand for Extra Virgin Olive Oil, recently announced We Olive's participation as title sponsor for the 8th annual Paso Robles Olive Festival.

As lead sponsors of the festival and strong advocates of California olive growers, We Olive is working vigorously to shed light on the olive industry by bringing enhanced visibility to the festival, Paso Robles and the well over 50 participating California olive growers - as well as the fact that olives are becoming a dominant commercial crop in San Luis Obispo County. 

"We are passionate about raising the level of awareness about the health benefits and superior quality of California's high quality, artisan olive oils," said We Olive owner Frank Mercurio.  "And we are even more thrilled to be a part of the festival as we feel this is an incredible opportunity to promote California's growing olive industry." 

As the premier West Coast Olive Festival, the hugely successful event that attracts over 7,000 people annually, will take place at the Paso Robles Downtown City Park on Aug. 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will also be a Social Mixer held Aug. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Sculpterra Winery featuring gourmet olive-inspired hors d'euvres, local wines and winners of the Olive Oil Tasting Competition.