SACRAMENTO – Metro EDGE congratulates winners of the Sacramento Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” award distinguishing top business professionals in our region.  In an event recognizing forty outstanding local professionals, 7 Metro EDGE members – selected from over 300 nominees – were recognized for their business success and community contributions.

“I applaud each of this year’s winners and their exceptional achievements,” said Sean O’Brien, chair of Metro EDGE. “As a judge of this year’s 40 Under 40 Awards, it was an honor to acknowledge the professional success and community involvement of all of this year’s nominees.

“The over 400 members of Metro EDGE are Sacramento’s up-and-coming business leaders and this year’s winners further exemplify the dynamic make-up of our membership.”

Winners include:

• Jim Alves – Sacramento Municipal Utility District
• Emilie Cameron – Lucas Public Affairs
• Emily Dutch – Drexel University
• Jake Mossawir – City Year
• Alisa Okelo-Odongo – Pacific Gas & Electric
• Liz Salmi – Greenwise Joint Venture
• Erica Taylor – Five Star Bank

Read the entire list of nominees here.

The post Metro EDGE Members Named as Top Business Leaders in our Community appeared first on Metro EDGE.

Let me start by letting everyone know I’m the new guy at Metro EDGE. I joined a few weeks ago hoping to increase my professional network, become more involved in the local business and civic communities, and maybe have a few cocktails in the process. Probably sounds familiar to most EDGErs.

I decided to attend a Communications Committee meeting shortly after signing up to quickly engage with the organization. Expecting a large group, I was pleasantly surprised when an intimate team was immediately open to my involvement and I was assigned this blog post on the Regional Action Summit :: Blast the Ballot!

The summit is a major Metro EDGE event and will take place October 16 at the California Museum from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Our official media advisory says the event has been designed to “educate the region’s young professionals about what’s really going on with key election issues – who’s weighing in, on what, and why.”

Since we’re still getting to know each other, I will let you in on a secret – I’m not big on politics. Yes, I vote when it’s time and keep up with the issues affecting my industry. What I can’t do is rattle off names of local political players or list the ballot measures from memory like some EDGE members I’ve met. My proposition practice in general has been somewhat laissez-faire, when in doubt, vote no. I want to change this approach and the Regional Action Summit seems like a unique opportunity to do so.

The main attraction of the evening will feature a panel of six speakers moderated by KFBK radio host Kitty O’Neal. Panelists will include the editor of California’s Capitol Greg Lucas, Professor Emeritus Dr. Barbara O’Connor, California Communications Director for the National Federation of Independent Business Michelle Orrock, author Dr. Tony Quinn and Yolo County Supervisor Matt Rexroad.

Our political aficionados will help tackle questions like: Who is really backing the propositions? Why is the governor risking so much with his tax initiative? What local measures have the most potential to affect the pocketbook of Sacramento professionals, young and old?

I’m bringing my inquires too, as there will also be time for an open question and answer session.

But the experts aren’t the only draw. The second presidential debate will play in the background while attendees mingle with the crowd and tap the knowledge of their peers. It is a chance to find out what concerns other young professionals, share thoughts on the key issues and see where a little extra homework might be needed to really make informed decisions.

As an added bonus, the festivities will take place at the California Museum. Anyone who may need a break from the serious business of talking Donkeys and Elephants can tour the first floor exhibits and relive a portion of the California dream.

So, I’ll be attending for a little mixing and mingling with the a-typical political crowd of the best and brightest under 40, staying for a serious education on key election issues, and going home empowered and ready to blast the ballot!

I hope to see you there!

-Michael Young

 Event info:

Regional Action Summit :: Blast the Ballot
5:30 – 8:30pm, Tuesday, October 16
The California Museum, 1020 O Street Sacramento, CA 95814
Register here and share on Facebook!

 Paid for by Metro PAC. Contributions are not tax deductible.

The post It’s Time to Blast the Ballot! appeared first on Metro EDGE.

Funneling into the Downtown Hyatt last Thursday night, was a sizeable group of what some may call, Sacramento’s young “overachievers.”    I prefer Ginger Elizabeth’s use of the term “opportunists,” as capitalizing on the insights and advice of some of the region’s most successful professionals is hardly an occasion exclusively for overachievers.  Besides, the evening took place over sweet potato fries, pulled pork sliders, Prosecco and a lovely arrangement of other gourmet bites and beverages… it was bound to be a night for the books.

Before I dive into a recap of the evening, I must disclaim the difficulty of putting into words an experience of so many triumphant elements.  From milling around an energetic ballroom of both new and familiar faces, to absorbing one inspirational story compounded on the next, Executive Insight was truly a unique evening.

In fact, the event’s largest differentiator was the sheer brilliance of the panel-less, panel of speakers.  Instead of the typical crowding-inside-an-oversized-auditorium-watching-panelist-on-a-projector-screen-and-internally-debating-when-appropriate-to-ask-a-question, the panelists “travelled” to each table speaking on topics of interest to each group– brilliant.  This model made it much easier to put faces to names, build rapport with the speakers (and fellow EDGE’ers), acquire the most applicable advice and speak openly and freely.

Largely because Executive Insight was slightly different for each of us who attended, I’d like to recall a few noteworthy perspectives from each panelist:

Christi Black | Executive Vice President, Edelman

• When someone tells you what they want to do, ask, “What do you want to accomplish?”
• Ask a question, then wait.
• Use your gut instinct.

Michelle Bouchard | President, HealthCorps

• Lead an intuitive life.
• Where is Sacramento’s strategic economic plan?
• Don’t focus on the door; you’re going to fly through the window.

Vincent Johnson | COO, UC Davis Medical Center

• Used to see business through dollars and cents, but then learned to use faith in his work – “we make plans, but God is the best planner.”
• Create a career mission statement.
• You learn more in the valleys than the peaks.

Ginger Elizabeth Hahn | Owner, Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates

• Start by working for the best and under the best; then, pick one thing to master and become really good at it.
• Greatest accomplishment is still being in love with her husband, after starting a successful business and having two kids.
• Although she knew what she wanted to do at age 5, she believes it is never too late to start something you are passionate about – Julia Child was 38 when she started in the field.

Supervisor Susan Peters | Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, District 3

• Jumped all over in careers – banking, real estate, Chamber of Commerce, etc. – informing some best practices “marrying the public and private sectors.”
• Knowledge, learning and working hard; had her first job at 14.
• Hope for a government that is rational and handles money well.

Dr. Sandra Kirschenmann | Associate Vice Provost, Drexel University Sacramento Center for Graduate Studies

• It’s about positioning.
• When there are barriers, be entrepreneurial and strike deals.
• With focus and persistence, anything is possible.

Fred Teichert | Executive Director, Teichert Foundation

• A successful business strategy turns a community into a success.
• To understand what he was preparing his students for as a professor, he left teaching to work in business.
• Keep talking to younger people.

Mike O’Brien | President and Co-Publisher, Sacramento Magazine Corporation

• Assess regularly and adjust.
• You’ll never have a job you love, until you have one you hate.
• Try new things. Fail forward. Learn to sell.

Roger Dreyer | Partner, Dreyer Babich Buccola Wood Campora, LLP

• There’s always room at the top, do not be afraid to try.
• Women have a big place in our world, whether in business or personal.
• The people you surround yourself with are crucial to your success.

Yvonne Glenn | Owner and CEO, Trofholz Technologies, Inc.

• Support yourself, never depend on someone else.
• Focus on what’s important at a particular time – family, friends or work – and give them or it 100%.
• Fight hard to be respected and accomplished.

Gordon Fowler | President and CEO, 3fold Communications

• Be a good community member; it will come back around professionally.
• Your career is a checkerboard, not a vertical path.
• You can have it all…just not all at once.

Although this ‘shortlist’ actually seems quite lengthy, it just barely scratches the surface of an outstanding night; my sentiment was shared that it would’ve been great to have these professionals at our table longer!  And, while these perspectives lend themselves to some interpretation, each inspiring message is invaluable for getting inside the minds of the region’s premier leaders.

The post Executive Insight 2012 Recap appeared first on Metro EDGE.

What would you ask if you had 10 minutes of face-to-face time with a local business icon?

Members of Metro EDGE, a program of the Sacramento Metro Chamber for 40 and under young professionals, are pondering that question as they prepare for the  2012 Executive Insight event.

On Thursday, August 9, Metro EDGE members will gather along with 11 of the region’s most successful businesspeople for some quality time and intimate questions.

“The idea is to give our members the chance to ask those who’ve succeeded just what advice they might have for someone starting out or in mid-career,” said Jennifer Tencati, 2012 Metro EDGE Professional Development Committee Chair. “It’s a great opportunity to learn first-hand from those who’ve risen to the top about just how they got there.”
The lineup of executives for 2012 includes:

• Christi Black :: Executive Vice President, Edelman
• Michelle Bouchard :: President, HealthCorps®
• Roger Dreyer :: Partner, Dreyer Babich Buccola Wood Campora, LLP
• Gordon Fowler :: President and CEO, 3fold Communications
• Yvonne M. Glenn :: Owner and Chief Executive Officer, Trofholz Technologies, Inc.
• Ginger Elizabeth Hahn :: Owner, Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates
• Vincent Johnson :: Chief Operating Officer, UC Davis Medical Center
• Dr. Sandra Kirschenmann :: Associate Vice Provost, Drexel University Sacramento Center for Graduate Studies
• Mike O’Brien :: Owner and Publisher, Sacramento Magazines Corporation
• Supervisor Susan Peters :: Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, District 3
• Fred Teichert :: Executive Director, Teichert Foundation

Metro EDGE received very positive feedback from attendees and executives alike who participated in 2011’s inaugural Executive Insight event.

“Last year people really felt like they gained something useful to further them as individuals and further their careers. That is exactly what Metro EDGE wants to do for its membership,” said Sean O’Brien, 2012 Metro EDGE Chair.

“There was an amazing energy in the room. Both the EDGErs and Executives really seemed to connect in a really honest way. There was no holding back and it made for a genuinely valuable experience for all involved,” he said.

Becky Johnson, Director of Public Affairs at Siemens, was one of the executives featured in the 2011 event. “I had an absolute blast chatting with many EDGErs at the Executive Insight event. It was an honor to be among such an esteemed group of leaders,” she wrote in a guest blog post following the event.

Sponsored by Sacramento Magazine, Ginger Elizabeth Chocolate, Drexel University, and Hyatt Regency Sacramento, this year’s event promises to be just as valuable as last year’s. Because it’s a members-only function, young professionals aged 40 and under are encouraged to join Metro EDGE and attend!

There will be lots to learn throughout the evening. One thing the invited executives are sure to leave with is, after meeting the Metro EDGE membership, that the future of this region is bright.

The post Sacramento Executives to Share Secrets of their Success appeared first on Metro EDGE.

“I knew that research was out there, but 62 percent is really eye-opening,” said Porter, current vice chair of Metro EDGE, the Metro Chamber’s young professional program.

That number, presented by Downtown Development District of New Orleans CEO Kurt Weigle, was part of a body of research that found most young professionals across the nation pick a city based on things they value before finding a job.

“Earning a good living is important, naturally, but the best and brightest are looking for more than just a paycheck,” said 2012 Metro EDGE Chair Sean O’Brien. “Young professionals are looking for a place to live the best life they can—they want to make it count.”

What do young professionals base their locale choices on? In New Orleans the research pointed out things like diverse and unique neighborhoods, convenient housing and public transportation, and a clean environment. A vibrant arts community, access to entertainment and outdoor recreation also top the list.

“We want Sacramento to be a place where young professionals are excited to live. We want to keep our homegrown talent and attract the best from across the country. We want those who will help lead this region toward a prosperous future. That under-40 talent pool is the future of this city,” said O’Brien.

Ensuring Sacramento’s future is at the heart of Metro EDGE’s mission. The goal: to Engage, Develop, Give and Empower the 40-and-under young leaders of the Sacramento region.

Founded in 2009, membership has grown to more than 450 strong. Members come from a myriad of business sectors, ethnic groups and education levels. They have access to various professional enrichment opportunities that are offered throughout the year. EDGE-ucational Forums, networking events and philanthropic projects are among the many Metro EDGE offerings that bring young professionals together.

More than purely social, Metro EDGE provides future leaders a chance to contribute today. Since inception, Metro EDGE has logged more than 1,200 hours of community service and raised more than $8,000 in cash and in-kind services for charitable causes in 2011.

“Our members are incredibly engaged. We want to help, and we want to be a part of positive change,” said O’Brien.

The group encourages members to get involved. From city council meetings to Metro Chamber events to the Next Economy Regional Forums, our members are everywhere.

“Metro EDGE represents the voice of young professionals in the region,” said O’Brien. “We’re not going to be heard, or contribute to any kind of solution, by sitting on the sidelines.”

Not only civically active, Metro EDGE is leading the charge in taking pride in our hometown.

“New Orleans has a very unique brand. It has a culture all its own. It has swagger,” said Porter. “Sacramento desperately needs to embrace its own identity, and Metro EDGE is working toward that end.”

Porter went on by saying, “We have some of the best weather and freshest food in the nation, we’re the state capital, and we have an amazing community and family atmosphere. We all need to take some pride in how great this region is. We all need to believe it and live it every day. Metro EDGE members are doing it, and we want everyone to.”

Metro EDGE is encouraging a larger contingency of its members to join the 2012 Metro Chamber Study Mission to Denver this fall. Part of that program will be devoted to studying the Downtown Denver Partnership’s strategy to attract and retain young professionals. That strategy includes creating a vibrant center city for the surrounding region by building up downtown physically, culturally and socially.

“Young professionals in Sacramento have chosen to live here. We all have a stake in this community and we want it to thrive,” said O’Brien. “It is truly a great time to be a young professional. And it’s an even better time to be in the Sacramento region.

The post Skin in the Game appeared first on Metro EDGE.

James Beckwith, Five Star Bank
“Flush the toilet on failures.” (In other words, don’t dwell on our failures. Let them go. Flush them and move on.)

Steve Childs, SacTown Magazine
“If you dip your toe in the water, you almost always start swimming, so don’t waste your time procrastinating and just go for it.”

Chris Delfino, Downey Brand Attorneys
“Sacramento is an amazing place. When I am asked what Sacramento needs, I say Sacramento just needs some swagger.”
“Be willing to roll up your sleeves and do the work.”

Mike Heller, Heller Pacific Inc.
You [MetroEDGE] are the crew that’s going to lead Sacramento to raise the bar.”

Becky Johnson, Siemens
“Form genuine friendships.” (In regards to networking.)
“Learn to say no. Establish boundaries.”

Donna Lucas, Lucas Public Affairs
“Do things that challenge you.”
“Give yourself some pause.” (Discussing the importance of a work/life balance.)

Mark Otero, KlickNation
“How you spend [your time] defines who you are.”

Randy Paragary, Paragary Restaurant Group
“Truly find something you love, and stick with it. Simple as that.”

Randy Satar, Teichert Land Company
“This is not a dress rehearsal…Jump in and start doing it.”

Michele Wong, Synergex
“Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you.”

Photos and Video will be up soon…

What was you favorite quote or takeaway from the evening?

The post Highlights from Executive Insight appeared first on Metro EDGE.

• James Beckwith, CEO, Five Star Bank
• Steve Childs, Publisher, Sactown Magazine
• Chris Delfino, Partner, Downey Brand Attorneys, LLP
• Mike Heller, CEO, Heller-Pacific
• Becky Johnson, Director of Public Affairs, Siemens
• Donna Lucas, CEO, Lucas Public Affairs
• Mark Otero, CEO, KlickNation
• Randy Paragary, President, Paragary Restaurant Group
• Randy Sater, Senior Vice President, Teichert Inc.
• Michele Wong, Presient/CEO, Synergex

If you are as excited as we are to meet these leaders and secure some insider tips, then you’ll understand why we couldn’t wait till Wednesday to begin introductions. Below is a sneak peek into the background of 4 of our executives.

James E. Beckwith, Five Star Bank

James Beckwith has served as the President & Chief Executive Officer of Five Star Bank since 2003. During his tenure, Five Star Bank has seen an annual growth rate in excess of 20% and has gone from $65 million to more than $500 million in assets. A self-described “boutique bank” that focuses on relationship-based banking for local small business and entrepreneurs. A dedication to excellent service with the expertise to back it up is at the core of the organization’s philosophy. “More than anything we are problem solvers. We are consistent and reliable. We get things done,” said Beckwith.

A native Californian, Beckwith was born in Sacramento and graduated from San Francisco State University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting.  Beckwith is also a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington, class of 1989, where he was class president.  He currently lives in Sacramento with his wife and their three children.

Steve Childs, Sactown Magazine

Steve Childs has been the publisher of Sactown Magazine since its inception in December, 2006. Prior to Sactown, Steve was the president of the largest regional magazine in America — Texas Monthly — which routinely competes with magazines like Vanity Fair and The New Yorker for National Magazine Awards. While he has spent most of his career in publishing, Childs is also an entrepreneur with twenty five years experience in executive roles in publishing, finance, advertising and consumer marketing, business development and management. He was also the Founding Director of Communities at Excite, one if the first major Internet search portals. But possibly the coolest thing he ever did was manage the famed Beacon Theater, a 26,00 concert hall, in New York City at the tender age of 23.

Donna Lucas, Lucas Public Affairs

Donna Lucas is founder and principal of Lucas Public Affairs, a California-based strategic consulting, public affairs, and communications firm.

One of the nation’s foremost public affairs strategists and a widely recognized expert in media relations and political affairs, Lucas has provided strategic counsel to large corporate clients, labor unions, non-profits, initiative campaigns, and political candidates. Prior to forming Lucas Public Affairs in 2006, Lucas served as a deputy chief of staff for strategic planning and initiatives for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and chief of staff to First Lady Maria Shriver.

Lucas is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s School of Journalism.  She and her husband, political satirist and former Bureau Chief of the San Francisco Chronicle, Greg Lucas, live in Sacramento.

Michele Wong, Synergex

A graduate of the University of California, Davis, Michele has been with Synergex since 1982. She began as a systems programmer, and then rapidly progressed through the positions of project leader and vice president of software development. She was promoted to executive vice president in late 1984, achieved the position of president in November 1990, and was named CEO in December 1996.

She was named one of the “Best and Brightest in Sacramento” by Sacramento Magazine, and in 2000, Michele was honored to receive the Woman of the Year Award as the Sacramento Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s top fundraiser. Most recently, she was named Sacramento’s 2006 Business Woman of the Year by the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

Seats are limited and you don’t want to miss out! Plus this amazingly insightful event also includes hosted beer, wine and appetizers, thanks to our sponsor, the Hyatt Regency.

Click here to register.

The post Sneak Peek into the 2011 Executive Insight appeared first on Metro EDGE.

As we prepare for the upcoming year we want to get your feedback on your experience with Metro EDGE so far, and learn more about your areas of interest for 2012 as it pertains to our region.

Please take a moment to fill out this brief survey. It will only take a few minutes to complete and your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Your honest and open feedback will be completely confidential and will only be used as a tool to help us learn how we can continue to improve upon the great things already taking place. We value your opinions and look forward to your responses as we aim to make Metro EDGE the best resource for the next generation of leaders in our region.

This information will not be distributed in any capacity and will only be used for Metro EDGE purposes.

The post Annual Metro EDGE Survey appeared first on Metro EDGE.

I don’t live in Downtown Sacramento. I don’t even work in Downtown Sacramento. But like anyone else who lives and works beyond the downtown grid, I know that Downtown Sac is the place to play. It’s the area that determines the future of the region. And it’s the only place where you can get an amazing Blueberry Mojito with a colleague, make a new business connection, and get an in-person education about the future of downtown revitalization all in one evening.

I mentioned to my colleague, Eric that I was heading out of the office a bit early to head downtown. EDGE was having an event at Ella’s Dining Room and Bar, and never having been there, I was excited to give it a try. Especially during a half-priced happy hour (as a financial planner I find a good deal especially attractive!). Turns out Eric, who recently moved downtown, had never been there either and agreed to join me. So, we found ourselves at Ella Dining Room & Bar, putting their claim of having the best happy hour in Sacramento to the test – and we were not disappointed. From the famous Gin and Tonic to the Blueberry Mojitos, Ella’s delightful cocktails and elegant ambiance were a terrific break from the summer heat. This event was one of our best attended “In The Mix” nights ever, and I was very happy to be the one to introduce my friend to the idea of being a young professional, engaged in the local landscape.

After saying hello to the EDGE members I knew and meeting several that I didn’t, it was time to make a critical decision – brave the heat to go on the tour of K St with the Downtown Partnership’s Kevin Greene or stay cool at Ella. Never one to back away from a challenge, we joined the group of 20 or so “EDGErs” and headed out the door after Kevin to hear about plans to add vehicle traffic to K St, develop new mixed-use space to bring more residential and commercial business to the area, and how these types of projects can be funded. I think our event was the good luck charm that allowed some of that funding to pass a vote that very evening.

Next it was off to the Downtown Railyards to learn about the possibilities for development there. Should it be a new sports complex? Is there a better use for the area? Who is going to pay for improvements? Of course these are complicated issues, but as the next generation of Sacramento’s leaders, we are the ones who will have to live with the decisions that are being made today.

Our attempts to take Light Rail back to Ella were foiled, so we spent the walk back to the restaurant getting to know one other a little better. After discussions of business philosophies, our personal ties to the region, and our reasons for joining EDGE , business cards were exchanged and we arrived back at the restaurant with new friends and a deeper understanding of the issues at hand for the downtown area.

When I got to the office the next day I asked Eric what he thought about the event. He said he was submitting the funding request to his manager that day to pay for the membership. And so EDGE has grown by one more member, new friends have been made and a group of young professionals are now engaged in the future of Sacramento. This is exactly what makes EDGE such a great organization to be a part of!

The post In The Mix – Downtown Revitalization (Re-Cap) appeared first on Metro EDGE.

Guided by Michele McCormick, EVP at Circlepoint, Metro EDGErs talked about basics like not posting anything inappropriate or when to avoid mixing religious or political views with business (tip: that’s pretty much always) to what a Klout score was to deeper issues like the true value of LinkedIn groups and how to engage them. The discussion gave attendees some great insights into the concept of managing who you are online, in person, and via word of mouth. Below are some quick tips from the session:

1.      There is no privacy. That is a concept of the past and that’s a little scary but there is power in knowing that you can control much of what’s out there.

2.      Do quality work and it will speak for itself. Don’t seek credit but make sure the right person knows you did it.

3.      Be helpful to others. Seek opportunities to collaborate as much as possible, even if it means possibly losing business.

4.      Be kind.

5.      Be yourself! It’s ok to be you! You can differentiate yourself. If that’s who you are then own it!

6.      Ask questions! Newsflash: the best sales pitch is not about YOU … it’s about THEM!

7.      Actively manage your online reputation … manage what you can within sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter … Google yourself, determine your Klout score, etc. This requires some work on your part but use all the tools out there to protect your online reputation. It’s worth it.

8.      If there is a blemish on your online reputation… “the only way to manage bad is to bury it with good.” It’s up to you to make sure there is so much good stuff about you online that they never find the bad.

It was a very collaborative conversation that wound down with EDGERs giving each other advice on networking opportunities, Facebook privacy tips, and ideas on how social media tools are being co-opted and used internally by larger companies.  Collaboration! One of the key take-aways from the presenter was the essence of the event. When you think about it, that’s really what Metro EDGE is all about … a group of like-minded people who care not only about their own futures, but the futures of those who will help make our home what it is to become.

The post Building Your Personal Brand EDGEucational Forum Event Re-Cap appeared first on Metro EDGE.