Contact: Perry Smith Business Editor Phone: 661-287-5599
S A N TA C L A R I TA VA L L E Y
BUSINESS JOURNAL BJ INSIDE SPOTLIGHTS B4 A message from the SCV
Email: psmith@signalscv.com Mail: 26330 Diamond Place Suite 100 Santa Clarita, CA 91350 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2020 · WWW.SIGNALSCV.COM · B1
SCV BAR ASSOCIATION WELCOMES NEW LEADERSHIP
Chamber B5 SCV Chamber advocacy
NEWS & FEATURES B1 Bar Association hosts
swearing in
SCV BUSINESS VOICES B1 Mission Valley Bank B3 Audiology Associates M&M Fasteners Supply B9 SCVEDC Henry Mayo B12 Reape-Rickett Law Firm
THE LISTS B2 Movie Ranches, Sound
Stages Aerospace B6 Largest Law Firms Lawyers: Solo Practitioners B7 Family-owned Businesses B8 Oldest Businesses B10 SCV Hotels B11 Largest Employers B13 Auto Dealers
FROM THE EXPERTS B2 Ken Keller: How to improve
profits B6 From the Assessor: Veteran benefits B7 Paul Raggio: Assess your risk B10 Paul Butler: Workplace gratitude
BY PERRY SMITH Signal Managing Editor
T
he Santa Clarita Valley Bar Association celebrated its local tradition of leadership and community outreach during a recent socially distanced swearing in ceremony for its new executive committee. The local association for lawyers works together to support a community in the SCV that furthers professional development, networking and opportunities to give back according to business litigator Taylor Williams and criminal defense attorney Jeff Armendariz, who lead this year’s Executive Committee as president and president-elect, respectively. This time of year, the opportunities to give back have been one of the main focuses of the SCV Bar Association for Armendariz, he said in a recent interview. Armendariz has been a board member of the bar since becoming involved about nine years ago, and one of his proudest achievements with the bar A toy drive inspired by the organization’s first installation dinner has become a chapter staple each year, and one of the most enjoyable aspects of joining such a group for Armendariz. “Besides the personal relationships, we offer a breadth of opportunities for people to improve and sustain or maintain their practice,” he mentioned, referring to networking events where people can
Left: L.A. County Superior court Judge David Gelfound swears members of the Santa Clarita Valley Bar Association’s executive board. PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL “let their hair down,” to continuing legal education opportunities for lawyers, a requirement for all lawyers, which is one of the benefits of membership. Armendariz also noted the organization’s annual speech competition has been a source of pride for the group, as it’s allowed promising young students who are juniors and seniors in high school a chance to present arguments in front of a Los Angeles County Superior court judge. While the toy drive is still on, the speech competition is on hold, and the networking looks to be virtual for the time being, according to Williams, which has also prompted the SCV Bar Association’s leadership to discuss new ways for how it can work to stay relevant for its leadership. Unprecedented times have created challenges that, to the current degree, haven’t really been an issue in modern times, leading the association to look into the possibility for things like any way they might be able to help out with child care options, while attorneys deal with hours
of virtual hearings, often with children who have new homeschool needs. “The board and I have been talking about different kinds of community outreach,” Williams noted, referring to the post-COVID-19 environment as a “brave new world,” for the legal community, as in many other aspects. At the end of the day, regardless of whether a community is coping with a global pandemic, it’s incredibly helpful to be a part of a professional group with members who support one another, Williams added. “Our main thing is networking, so that we can get to know each other in the legal community,” Williams said, adding she can’t count the number of times that she’s had someone reach out to her and ask for a reference for an opinion on a legal matter. “We have a lot to offer, the opportunities to get to know fellow members and to get to serve on the board,” Armendariz said, “There’s no substitute for getting to know people.”
SCV BUSINESS VOICES
CONNECTING TO A CAUSE: GIVE WHERE YOU LIVE, SCV
P
STEVE NUÑEZ Vice President, Relationship Manager, Mission Valley Bank
hilanthropy — the act of giving back — should play an important role for any business operating within a local market area, and these efforts should align with the strategic goals of the business. Beyond doing good for others, charitable giving can create goodwill among clients, employees, business partners and the community. Creating a culture of philanthropy is doable for any business regardless of size. The key is incorporating it throughout the organization. Philanthropic efforts also provide an outlet for employees and clients to connect with the company beyond just products and services. Since inception, Mission Valley Bank has been dedicated to local involvement and investing in the communities we serve. In addition to financial support, the management team lends their leadership skills to many nonprofits within the community. The bank prides itself on involvement in charitable works that help individuals, along with economic development initiatives to attract and retain businesses within the region. As part of our efforts to support our local community, Mission Valley Bank hosts the Give Where You Live SCV initiative. Participating organizations include Carousel Ranch, Boys and Girls Club of SCV, Samuel Dixon Family Health Center, College of the Canyons Foundation, Santa Clarita Valley Family YMCA and others. Mission Valley Bank features nonprofits on its website, in advertising and articles, and social media. We know that bringing awareness to the needs and work of these valuable organizations — while connecting each cause with residents — strengthens the community as a whole (GiveWhereYouLiveSCV.com). How can your business get involved in helping others? Discover a charity or service club that fits your vision, mission, and purpose or one that speaks to your heart. The Santa Clarita community has hundreds of nonprofits that rely upon the kindness of residents and businesses to step up and make a difference. Mission Valley Bank is a locally-owned, full service community business bank headquartered in Sun Valley, California with a branch office in Santa Clarita. Steve Nunez can be reached at (661) 753-5681. For more information visit www. MissionValleyBank.com.
ANNOUNCING MVB Centre Pointe Office has RELOCATED. We’re looking forward to seeing you at our beautiful NEW Santa Clarita Valley Branch!
SANTA CLARITA VALLEY BRANCH 26701 McBean Parkway, Suite 100 - Valencia, CA 91355 (Northwest corner of McBean Parkway and Mall Entrance in the Monticello building) Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (M-F) | (661) 753-5693
or visit our
SUN VALLEY HEADQUARTERS BRANCH 9116 Sunland Boulevard - Sun Valley, CA 91352 Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (M-F) | (818) 394-2300
www.MissionValleyBank.com