SCV Business Journal April 2021

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

Chamber

Email: psmith@signalscv.com Mail: 26330 Diamond Place Suite 100 Santa Clarita, CA 91350 SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021 · WWW.SIGNALSCV.COM · B1

HOW COMMERCIAL MARKETS ARE EVOLVING

B5 SCV Chamber Events/

Advocacy B9 The List: Commercial Real

Estate NEWS & FEATURES B1 Commercial Real Estate in

the SCV B3 The SCV Employment

Outlook B8 COVID Resources for

Businesses SCV BUSINESS VOICES B1 Audiology Associates B2 M & M Fasteners B6 CBRE

LBW Insurance B7 SCV Economic

Development Corp.

B12 Henry Mayo FROM THE EXPERTS B2 Lisa Raggio: The power of

community B3 Ken Keller: 10 smart CEO

Moves B11 Paul Butler: Keep calm and

be a leader B12 Jeff Prang: Business

property deadline

The 1.3-million-square-foot IAC Commerce Center is set to consist of seven industrial buildings on 116 acres. The demands for how space will be used are evolving rapidly with the modern business environment, but there’s still a growing need in the Santa Clarita Valley, according to local experts on the market. PHOTO COURTESY NEWMARK KNIGHT FRANK

BY EMILY ALVARENGA Signal Staff Writer

A

s COVID-19 figures continue to decline and public health restrictions are relaxed, more and more businesses are getting the green light to reopen.

In the Santa Clarita Valley, the industrial sector remains very strong with an extremely low vacancy rate, while it’s been the retail sector that has suffered most, according to commercial Realtors who are experts in the local and regional markets.

“Despite the pandemic and shutdowns, the industrial market is very strong with demand from e-commerce, entertainment and aerospace/defense leading the way,” said Craig Peters, executive vice president of CBRE. “Keep in mind that most industrial companies are considered essential and continued to work during the

shutdowns. Market vacancy has dropped to 1% over the past 12 months and lease rates and sale prices have jumped up.”

While there may be new strategies that lead to changes, such as more amenities, or even adjusted operations, there’s still a need for commercial space, according to Yair Haimoff, executive managing director at Spectrum Commercial Real Estate Inc. “However, the general office users have minimized their operations, and some to all employees are still working remotely leaving their offices partially to fully empty,” Haimoff said. “Entertainment, personal care, fitness and restaurants with large dining halls suffered the most, while drive-thru restaurants flourished during the pandemic, (and) it will be a while for these industries to recover as they are still under the toughest restrictions.”

As more businesses look to reopen and

some even look to open new businesses, local commercial realtors and even city officials agree that it’s vital to take the necessary steps in finding the right space for your business.

“Two of the most important items in choosing a business location are finding a spot where your customers will come, and making sure the property is zoned right for your business,” said Jason Crawford, the city of Santa Clarita’s planning, marketing and economic development manager.

While vacancy rates in the SCV are still relatively low, Haimoff and Peters agree that those rates may rise once the eviction moratorium expires.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SPACE “Our key recommendation for clients today is to start the process early,” Peters said. “Talk to your broker and See SPACE, page B6

SCV BUSINESS VOICES

SPEECH COMPREHENSION AND HEARING LOSS DR. KEVIN BOLDER AuD, Audiology Associates

S

peech comprehension and hearing loss are closely connected. Hearing loss prevents the brain from receiving sound signals which means those sounds are never processed and turned into information. Without being able to clearly hear words, you can’t process those words and make meaning from them.

THE EFFECTS OF HEARING LOSS Hearing loss can have negative effects on your overall health and well-being.

Sometimes, hearing loss is the result of another underlying condition, such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure. For this reason, it’s important to have your hearing and your health evaluated regularly. Even if your hearing loss is not the result of another underlying condition, it can have many negative effects on your everyday life and wellbeing. Some of the effects of untreated hearing loss include: • Social isolation • Fatigue • Cognitive decline • Dementia

• Difficulties with speech comprehension When you can’t hear well because of hearing loss you may feel embarrassed when you mishear the conversation. This can cause you to isolate yourself from other people and result in cognitive decline and even dementia.

SPEECH COMPREHENSION Speech comprehension is our ability to hear sounds and transform them into information. Hearing loss can negatively affect your ability to comprehend speech because you can’t hear clearly. Certain words may be difficult to hear depending on the type and severity of your hearing loss. This can result in you missing words in a conversation. Over time, your brain

will start to forget those words, and it will be harder to understand them.

WHAT YOU CAN DO The best thing you can do to make sure you are maintaining your overall health and well-being is receive regular hearing screenings in addition to your other doctor visits.

To schedule a hearing aid consultation today, please call Audiology Associates at (661) 2841900. Kevin Bolder, Au.D., Patrice Rifkind, Au.D., and John Davis, Au.D. are three of the best in Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valley. Visit our website at www.Audiology Associates.net or stop by our office located at 23838 Valencia Blvd, Suite 100, Valencia.

We are hearing healthcare excellence. 

B2 · SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021 · THE SIGNAL

TEN SMART MOVES FOR A CEO KEN KELLER

M

SCVBJ Contributing Writer

ost anyone can run a company during good times. When you are making money, it’s easy to overlook some of the deeper issues lying beneath the surface just waiting for an excuse to move to the top of your company’s list of challenges and create havoc. Paying attention, during good times and bad times, to these ten proven concepts will help your company weather today’s storm and make sure the next one won’t hit you so hard.

1. Reach out to every single client and ask them what you can do for them.

Find out what their biggest challenges are and innovate ways to help them address those challenges.

2. Identify three critical financial indicators that you can start sharing with all your employees. You need your employees to understand how their job impacts your bottom line. Educating them will keep them engaged.

3. Identify what is keeping your company from being as flexible as it once was. You have to be able to respond to client needs quickly and efficiently. If that isn’t happening, fix it.

Whether the business is back to in-person operations or connecting virtually, communicating your goals is vital for your employees to understand their respective roles and collective purpose. (MC)

4. Look around and find two strategic partners that share your client base.

Be aggressive and spend time outlining the advantages to working with these alliance partners so that results will appear quickly.

5. Seek out and find hidden pockets where profit is hiding. Look at your entire business. Where are those new eyes? Tap into the intelligence residing in every single employee and ask them to share what they see.

6. Look inward. Examine your own leadership skills. Now isn’t the time to gloss over your weaknesses. Now is the time to reach deep inside and ask what other skills you can learn that will help your company prosper.

7. Reassess your team. Not every person is a fit. Release the ones that need to move on and open the door to find new talent, new perspective, new ideas and new energy.

What is your communication plan? Begin communicating your vision, your plan and be both aggressive and candid about telling your employees what they need to know.

8. What don’t you know about your company that you should? Are you totally aware of how your company spends money? If not, get educated.

Are you aware of what your clients think about your products or services? You better be asking.

9. What is your communication plan?

You better believe that there are vast information voids in your company and your employees are filling up

those information voids with negative inputs. Begin communicating your vision, your plan and be both aggressive and candid about telling your employees what they need to know.

10. Look outward. Who can help you get a better understanding of how to manage your challenges? Strategic Advisory Boards can help; I bring CEOs of privately owned

companies together in formal peer groups to create unique external scaffolding that supports the tough, sometimes uncomfortable internal work a CEO needs to do to move the company in the right direction.

With support from your CEO peers on tasks like goal setting, business planning and execution, using the copyrighted Strategic Growth Navigator planning tool and an uncompromising focus on accountability, you’ll be able to confidently and consistently get your business back on track to sustainable growth.

What have you got to lose?

Ken Keller is an executive coach who works with small and midsize B2B company owners, CEOs and entrepreneurs. He facilitates formal top executive peer groups for business expansion, including revenue growth, improved internal efficiencies and greater profitability. Email:Ken. Keller@strategicadvisoryboards.com. Keller’s column reflects his own views and not necessarily those of the SCVBJ. 

SCV BUSINESS VOICES

M & M FASTENERS SUPPLY OFFERS SUPPORT FOR RETURN OF FILMING, CONSTRUCTION GROWTH

F

or years, the Santa Clarita Valley has been a home to feature films, TV shows, commercials and now streaming productions, as the SCV sits in the northern half of the Thirty-Mile Zone, or TMZ, an area created to encourage filming through tax breaks.

But what a lot of people might not realize is how many local companies, businesses like M & M Fasteners Supply Inc., play a vital role, so to speak, in making sure productions have the right parts.

While M & M has been known as a reliable name in commercial, aerospace and construction for four decades, after relocating to the SCV in January 2019, M & M CEO Eunice Hajek quickly realized that while she might be moving away from Hollywood, she was moving her company to a place where its ability to provide quality, reliable tools and fasteners would be hugely important for the filming industry.

Known as “Hollywood’s backlot” and “Hollywood North,” the SCV relies on countless local businesses like M & M to keep things running smoothly on the sound stages, on scene and anywhere else that complex, expensive film equipment or set building needs support tools and technology.

Another growth area for M & M has been in the support of essential construction. This progression was also a natural growth area for a company that’s long prided itself on supplying parts to keep us safe in the sky for the aerospace industry. Moving to a hotbed of growth has allowed M & M to become an authorized distributor for other trusted names, such as DeWalt, Senco, Elco, and Grabber Construction Products for hardware, tools, adhesives and more . Whether the need is a concrete anchor, an eyebolt, tek screws or nails, M & M prides itself on the motto, “Where quality meets customer service.”

“We have the tools and the hardware available not only to support the filming industry but also the construction industry,” Hajek said. “We’ve always provided quality customer care and the best parts available, but these recent economic conditions have really allowed us to demonstrate the ability and value of working with a local business as our economy begins to open up again.”

M & M Fasteners Supply is a stocking supplier of quality fastener products and accessories specializing in OEM, MRO, electrical and aerospace markets. M & M can also supply parts from a blueprint or technical specification. For more information, visit mmfastsupply.com or call (818) 767-8833.



THE SIGNAL · SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021 · B3

UNEMPLOYMENT RATES CONTINUE STEADY DECLINE

BY EMILY ALVARENGA Signal Staff Writer

A

s Los Angeles County surpasses one year since the first businesses were told to close their doors amid stay-at-home orders, unemployment rates have continued to drop countywide, and locally, the city of Santa Clarita remains slightly ahead of the county average.

Santa Clarita’s figure for January of 11.7% was a full percentage point better than the countywide average, and better than some of the city’s neighbors, such as the city of L.A., Burbank and Palmdale. (See chart.)

California’s unemployment rate dropped 0.3 percentage points to 9.0% in January from December, which while higher than the 4.2% seen in January 2020, was a significant decrease from the state’s peak unemployment rate of 16.3% in May 2020, according to data released by the California Employment Development Department.

The comparable estimates for the national unemployment rate had fallen to 6.3% in January, but was 2.8 points higher than in January 2020.

While unemployment rates have

The L.A. County Public Health Department’s easing of restrictions on outdoor dining is expected to further improve the local employment picture, according to city officials. PHOTO BY BOBBY BLOCK / THE SIGNAL

tisan California Policy Lab found that nearly 1 in 5 California workers received unemployment insurance benefits in February 2021, nearly a year after the pandemic began, while half of those recipients

continued to see a steady decline since last year’s record highs, many of those who’ve been unemployed through the pandemic have yet to return to work.

In fact, a new study by nonpar-

claimed more than half a year’s benefits, or more than 26 weeks and are therefore considered long-term unemployed.

See JOBS, page B10

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B4 · SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021 · THE SIGNAL

SHOP LOCAL SANTA CLARITA The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce launched our Shop Local campaign, which is set to take place starting in March and last for the full year. The campaign is designed to encourage residents of the Santa Clarita Valley to shop local, and then submit their receipts to the Chamber to accumulate points. Top three winners for each month will be awarded gift card and/or cash for $250, $100, and $50.

“We are pleased to launch this campaign in 2021 as we are working towards reopening our economy,” stated John Vance, 2021 Chair of the SCV Chamber Board. “The Chamber is pleased to ensure our businesses can succeed and our ongoing efforts to support every business throughout the Santa Clarita Valley is maximized.”

CHAIR OF THE BOARD JOHN VANCE

Vance Wealth

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HUNT BRALY

Poole, Shaffery & Koegle, LLP

MARISOL ESPINOZA

Southern California Gas Company

KEVIN HOLMES

Martini Akpovi Partners, LLP

TROY HOOPER

Kiwi Hospitality Partners

DR. CHRIS RAIGOSA

Kaiser Permanente

CHRIS SCHRAGE

LBW Insurance Financial Services

NANCY STARCZYK

Realty Executives

BOARD OF DIRECTORS KAREN BRYDEN

SCV Locations

ANDREA CARPENTER

Logix

STEVE COLE

SCV Water Agency

JASON CRAWFORD

City of Santa Clarita

ANDREA DE LA CERDA

Scorpion

MATT DIERCKMAN

Colliers International

JEFFREY FORREST

College of the Canyons

ALEEN MANCHESTER

California Resources Corporation

MARAL MATOSSIAN

Westfield Valencia Town Center

PATRICK MOODY

Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital

DR. IZU OKPARA

Omni Wound Physicians

DAN REVETTO AT&T BECKI ROBB Princess Cruises HENRY RODRIGUEZ

State Farm Insurance

SANDY SANCHEZ FivePoint LINDSAY SCHLICK

SchlickArt Photography & Video

LIZ SEELMAN

Southern California Edison

G. JESSE SMITH

California Institute of the Arts

DR. DIANNE VAN HOOK

College of the Canyons

DENNIS VERNER Burrtec KARINA WINKLER

Holiday Inn Express

To participate, shoppers can email hello@scvchamber. com to receive the required submittal form that will be turned in with a copy of your receipts each month. Forms and receipts may be scanned and emailed to the Chamber.

One point per dollar spent will be allocated and two points per dollar spent will be allocated if at a Chamber-member location. At the end of each month, the top three winners will be announced with their respective prize.

This campaign would not be possible without our local businesses sponsoring and supporting the SCV Chamber’s efforts. We are pleased to thank our Annual Sponsor CGI+ | Real Estate Investment Strategies. Our monthly sponsors include Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Logix Federal Credit Union, Scorpion, College of the Canyons, Westfield Valencia Town Center, and Lyfe Networks.

“The effort of all of us shopping locally makes a big difference and our goal is to inject extra cash flow into our local economy and support our local businesses,” stated Ivan Volschenk, Managing Partner at Evolve Business Strategies, which manages the SCV Chamber of Commerce. “Our Santa Clarita Valley businesses have been through and overcome a lot, we hope this campaign will help them with their recovery. They are the backbone of our community.”

The City of Santa Clarita encourages all local businesses to take the “Safer Business Commitment” as a part of the Shop Local initiative. After months of being shut down due to the COVID pandemic, many local businesses are now reopening their doors and want customers to know it is safe to Shop Local.

Santa Clarita Valley businesses can make the commitment by abiding to a set of safety guidelines and completing a short online form. Completing the form adds each business to a published list of “Safer” businesses. The list can be viewed at www.VisitSantaClarita.com/SaferBusinessCommitment to know which local businesses are committing to safety precautions for the safety of patrons and employees alike.

“It is a relief to see the number of COVID-19 cases is finally dropping,” stated Santa Clarita Mayor Bill Miranda. “As many businesses will be able to reopen at a greater capacity, it is important for residents to eat and shop local. By supporting our Santa Clarita based businesses, we can keep our local economy strong, maintain our diverse shopping/ dining options and help our neighbors who own, or work at, local businesses.”

If you are interested in being a sponsor for our Shop Local campaign email hello@scvchamber.com for more details.

BUSINESS COUNCILS Government Affairs

The Government Affairs council meets to discuss policy decisions on a local, county, state and federal level. As a member, you are encouraged to attend a meeting and have your voice heard throughout the SCV and take a stance on pertinent issues relative to the business community or your industry in particular.

Industry & Technology

The Industry and Technology council works to improve and enhance a strong business climate for Santa Clarita Valley based industry, manufacturing, processing and technology companies through pro-business advocacy to develop balanced laws, effective regulations and sound public policies to stimulate economic growth and create new jobs while safeguarding environmental resources.

Small Business

Small Businesses are at the core of our Chamber’s membership and are the backbone of our economy. The Chamber offers a variety of educational and networking programming to help your small business thrive. The council focuses on three main objectives: Advises the SCV Chamber on small business related issues, programming and networking opportunities; Supports the Chambe’s “Retail Walks” with elected officials; and helps promote the nationwide “Small Business Saturday” program which highlights small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Non-Profit

The SCV has a strong philanthropic community with more than 100 locally-based non-profit organizations that help our community thrive. Our non-profits are a key reason why Santa Clarita is a great community and always looking towards a better future. The council provides business resources for our local non-profit leaders to help them connect, grow and learn about valuable information so they can successfully meet their organizations mission and goals.

Latino Business Alliance

Our LBA council works to promote Latino-owned business as well as relevant issues facing our Latino business community. In addition the LBA helps to educate businesses on how to enhance a company’s business efforts with Latino customers and other Latino-owned businesses.

NextSCV

NextSCV is our next generation of leaders and the group aims to develop the next leaders of the Santa Clarita Valley through personal and professional development, civic engagement, and network building opportunities that ultimately stimulate local businesses and support the mission of the SCV Chamber.

WE NEED YOUR VOICE As we navigate our way through the red tier, the SCV Chamber is requesting your help!

Complete the survey and you will be automatically entered into a drawing to win a $50 gift card.

The survey can be found on the SCV Chambers main webpage.

To find out more about the Chamber, the benefits of membership, its business councils and all its resources please email hello@scvchamber.com or visit

SCVChamber.com

THE SIGNAL · SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021 · B5

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Your PARTNERSHIP WITH the SCV Chamber enables your business to take advantage of our vast business network and the influence of our organization.

We proudly welcome the following new members to join the SCV Chamber Family. Please check them out.

CGI Real Estate Investment Strategies is a boutique real estate investment and strategy firm providing personalized high-quality service and performing assets. They seek to positively shape the future as it relates to the spaces we all live in while rewarding both our investing partners and the local community. They provide sound advice while negotiating the sales and acquisitions of properties in a personable and skillful manner. www.cgiplus.com Costa Roofing specializes in roof repair, maintenance and restoration and serves all of Southern California. During his 15 years in the roofing industry, Mark has overseen the installation of millions of square feet of commercial and residential roofing and waterproofing systems. www.costaroof.com Omni Wound Physicians is a group of licensed, qualified health care professionals (Physicians, Surgeons, Physician Assistants and Nurse Practictioners) providing advanced surgical wound consultation and treatment as well as feeding tube management services at the patient’s bedside. www.omniwoundphysician.com Valencia Health Home Care is the leading Home Health Agency, ensuring we meet the highest standards in providing improved wellness in the community with effective and quality Home Health Care services, while using qualified and certified professionals. They aim to help them gain their best independence through care focused at wellness; comfort living and safety in meeting their daily activities and needs. www.valenciahomehealth.com Straightening Reins is a 501(c)(3) public nonprofit established in 2011 specializing in equine-assisted and interactive therapies designed to improve adolescent and teen mental health and well-being. SRD provides behavioral, educational, and community outreach services to youth and their families in Los Angeles County. www.srdstraighteningreins.org The Learning Experience has positively impacted the lives of children by developing and implementing ground-breaking care and early childhood education programs throughout the country. As it was from the start, the foundation of our approach is built on three key educational and care principles: cognitive, physical, and social—or as we say, “learn, play and grow!” www.thelearningexperience.com

GIVING BACK

YOUR CHAMBER, YOUR BENEFITS We cannot thank our members enough for their loyalty and support. We are a strong community because of them!

Chamber membership is a proven investment to grow your business and create a better and more prosperous Santa Clarita Valley. We provide our members with enhanced services, such as grassroots activity, and leading publications. Being a chamber of commerce member comes with many benefits that will boost your business. Make sure you to take advantage of the following:

Member Exclusive Webpage

We are pleased to launch our Member Exclusive page. As a member, you are able to access this page which, includes our member-exclusive webinars and some of the benefits included in your membership. The page can also be found on our home page, under the Membership tab. Make sure to check out our newest Chamber partnership with Staples and the benefits you will receive!

Website Profile

Remember, you are in control of your profile in our directory! If you haven’t had a chance to login to your account now is the time to do so. As a member, you are included in our annual Business & Community Guide, which is mailed to over 15,000 businesses, and we want to ensure your info is up to date for people to contact you. Please login to update your company name, address, phone number and any employees you would like on your account.

Member News Page

Is your business looking for an outlet to highlight an announcement?

Check out the SCV Chamber’s Member News page. This feature allows you, as a member, to post your most recent company announcement or press release for all visitors of our website to view. This page can be found on our home page, under the News tab.

Whether you are a business with no employees or have employees in the thousands, you will enjoy an exceptional return on investment by leveraging your chamber’s marketing, savings, advocacy and networking benefits.

FIRST RESPONDER GRATITUDE CAMPAIGN We have reached 80% of our target goal, at the time of going to print.

Don’t forget to take a moment and join the SCV Chamber in thanking our local healthcare first responders in the Santa Clarita Valley have gone above and beyond over the last year during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Any donation amount greatly appreciated.

They deserve our utmost appreciation and gratitude for working so hard, risking their own health and safety, even sacrificing time with their loved ones to care for our community.

The SCV Chamber is helping our community say thank you by raising funds to purchase $25 gift cards that will be given to our health care first responders as a small token of our gratitude. Gift cards will be purchased from SCV businesses to help support them as we all collectively recover and move forward.

We’re better when we all work together and support our community. Join us in giving thanks!

B6 · SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021 · THE SIGNAL

SPACE

Continued from page B1 understand the steps necessary to make a move and the associated timing. Many companies start too late and then are forced to renew in place even though that may not be the best solution.”

For most businesses, this process can be expedited; the site-selection process should take about six months from the time the prospect determines what they need to finalizing the lease or purchase, according to Haimoff.

These steps include: ■ Analyzing the prospects needs, including geographic needs.

■ Identifying and evaluating prospective sites, with tours of selected sites.

■ Going through the proposal process – either by sending a standard proposal or sending a request for proposal, the latter of which has seen an increase and could be a great negotiation tool, according to Haimoff.

■ Space planning.

■ Economic analysis.

■ Negotiating the lease or purchase terms.

■ Construction improvements.

■ Move in.

■ Determining if the landlord obligations (in case of a lease) were met.

“It is very important that tenants and buyers follow the steps to ensure their long-term goals are met,” Haimoff added.

“Once a business owner determines their needs and their geographic area, they should reach out to a local experienced commercial real estate professional (who) should have the right tools to expedite the search, have local knowledge and the experience to provide guidance and negotiate a great deal for them.”

Peters agreed, adding, “Make sure you have a competent broker that understands the market dynamics and your needs and can help you successfully execute on the assignment.”

The city offers a Guide to Small Business, which not only has tips about choosing the right business space, but also offers a step-by-step guide getting your business up and running, with tips for lease agreements, permitting and licensing, zoning and more.

Similarly, the SCV Economic Development Corp.’s Site Selection Tool provides a resource for individuals looking for available commercial space.

Whether it’s retail, office, or industrial space, the tool offers information on what facilities are available for lease and sale now and provides a list of development projects in progress that can help business owners plan their business growth.

The city’s Guide to Small Business suggests business owners consider the following when choosing a location: ■ Be sure that the location is properly zoned for your business type. If you find a location that is not zoned for your specific use you may need to apply for a Minor Use Permit or a Conditional Use Permit that will be reviewed by city staff or the city’s Planning Commission to determine if your business is suitable for the location.

■ Be sure that the construction of your business is appropriate for your intended use (e.g. a building constructed as a warehouse might not be suitable for businesses with certain occupancies, such as a day care or restaurant).

■ Evaluate any potential Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, or CC&R’s, for the location.

■ Pick a location that is convenient for you and your potential customers.

■ Identify your target market.

■ Understand your community and how your business fits in.

■ Identify and locate potential competitors.

■ Consider the size and cost of the commercial space.

■ Inquire about future-planned development in the area.

LBW STARTS STRONG IN ’21

BY APRIL PRICE Manager of Sales & Marketing LBW Insurance And Financial Services

W

ith a positive outlook on the year ahead, LBW Insurance and Financial Services in Valencia promoted two existing staffers in February and added three new service team members in March.

In recognition of strong revenue growth and excellence as client advisors and advocates, Todd Lerner and Eric Stelnick were both promoted to vice president. Todd J. Lerner, BFATM was promoted to vice president in the Financial Services division. A financial adviser with nearly 20 years of experience, Lerner was recently recognized by Priority Financial Group, the firm’s OSJ, as one of its three “Independent Advisors of the Year” for 2020.

Eric Stelnick is now vice president of sales. Stelnick has generated tremendous growth in his book of business during his four years with LBW. In 2020, he established a specialty niche for the firm, building a roster of clients in the cannabis industry. He has tapped an exciting, emerging industry and has become a trusted advisor to his clients in that arena.

In the Commercial Lines department, two new team members were added in support roles. The first, Heidi

Williamson, joined the firm as a support specialist. Heidi has four years of experience in the insurance industry and is lending support to commercial account managers and producers. Miriam Lopez, CLIC, CCIP is the second team member to join the firm in March and is a senior support specialist. Miriam has 10 years of experience in the industry and brings particular expertise insuring clients in the construction industry.

Rounding out the trio of new LBW team members is Kenny Nguyen. His position, employee benefits support technician, was created to leverage the team’s technological capabilities and streamline department workflows.

Nguyen’s past experience in information technology and analytics made him an excellent choice for this new role.

Founded in 1922, LBW Insurance and Financial Services is the largest fullservice, independent insurance agency in the Santa Clarita Valley. Expert staff provide Property & Casualty, Life, Health, Long Term Care and Disability Insurance as well as a complete range of financial services for both businesses and individuals.

Ranked among the “Best Places to Work” in 2019 by the Los Angeles Business Journal, the firm is licensed in all 50 states and represents more than 100 insurance carriers.

Contact LBW at (661) 702-6000 or visit lbwinsurance.com. 

Managing Partner Joseph Huang walks through the largest, 5,500-square-foot office space on the ground floor at Sierra Crest Center in Canyon Country. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL WHY SANTA CLARITA? “The SCV is a very business friendly environment with both the city and the county being very proactive to attract business and streamline the process,” Peters said.

These commercial realtors agree that doing business in the Santa Clarita Valley provides businesses with a great location, close to Los Angeles and along Interstate 5 and Highway 14.

“The city of Santa Clarita has great leadership,” Haimoff said, adding that while other cities and counties had their offices closed, Santa Clarita was able to continue operations. “Having City Hall open was great for business. Building permits were issued without long delays.

Additionally, large industrial users who were looking for newer state-of-the-art facilities were able to find product in the SCV as construction did not stop.”

Holly Schroeder, SCVEDC CEO and president, agreed, adding, “The new developments in the pipeline should really help the Santa Clarita Valley come out of this recession. … Industrial construction is still underway, and despite the uncertainty of the economy, there’s a really strong demand for it and we’re seeing a lot of interest in it.”

For more information, visit bit.ly/SCV SmallBizGuide or bit.ly/SCVEDCSite SectionTool. 

INDUSTRIAL. EVOLUTION.

BY CRAIG PETERS CBRE Executive

I

t was a typical Tuesday morning on March 10, 2020, as I handed my car over to the valet at the Americana. I walk across the street to our office building, juggling a quad espresso in one hand (it’s 6:45 a.m.) and my laptop bag and access card in the other.

Elevators open up to the seventh floor of the former Masonic Temple and I think to myself, “These offices are an absolute masterpiece — a striking integration of eras, with restored original 1920s wood trusses and contemporary architecture, on full display in the twostory ‘Heart.’”

I step into a glass conference room as my team arrives for our 7 a.m. team meeting. Little did we know that this would be the last time we would step into that space for more than a year.

Everything was about to change, and we were about to greatly evolve.

The pandemic and accompanying lockdown have made the last 12 months challenging for all of us. But we have been the lucky ones as we focus on industrial and suburban office properties.

Our jobs were intact as we represented essential industries and, by extension, were deemed essential. As living rooms and patios became our “new offices,” and meetings now involved being

Zoom-bombed by kids and pets, we needed to quickly embrace change and get to work. Our clients needed us now more than ever to navigate the chaos and provide a steady hand as they reeled from the emotional toll of an uncertain future and polarizing politics. My team and I have always embraced the motto of “When it rains, you learn to work in the rain” — but I’ve never worked as hard in my life (or consumed more hand sanitizer).

Zoom calls on the way to caravan tours followed by yet another Zoom meeting — every day and many weekends. My incredible team pulled together and delivered over 9.7 million square feet in building and land sale and lease transactions throughout Southern California in 2020 alone.

We discovered something extraordinary within ourselves — an unflinching evolution. My old baseball coach used to call it the Four D’s – Dedication, Determination, Discipline and Desire. We met unprecedented times with unprecedented stamina and provided outcomes for our clients that maximized the value of their real estate portfolios.

Now, how can we help your business reach the next stage in its evolution?

For more information about CBRE, visit cbre.us/people-and-offices/craig-peters, or call (818) 907-4616. 

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THE SIGNAL · SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021 · B7

THE POWER OF COMMUNITY

BY LISA RAGGIO Co-owner, One True North

I

n recognition of Women’s History Month, I was invited to be a co-panelist on COC’s Business Alliance monthly workshop as a woman business owner to share my experiences navigating through the past year. I was grateful for the opportunity, not only to help other women, but because it reminded me of another time in my career working with women in leadership.

Ten years ago, I worked as an executive for the YWCA, one of the oldest and largest multicultural organizations promoting solutions to enhance the lives of women, girls and families. I served at the local, regional and national level with a community of diverse women leaders.

My most meaningful experience was creating the Focus on Female Veterans program, recognized as a best practice program by the state of California and national YWCA. This led to the YWCA hosting the first of its kind leadership program for military women.

I was deeply humbled when asked to participate in this inaugural program alongside 22 other female veterans. I was the only civilian.

March is not only Women’s History Month, but in the state of California, ​​ the third week is recognized as Women’s Military History week. California is home to nearly 163,000 women who served in our U.S. military: They are Veterans, family members, friends, business owners, professionals and community leaders.

What did I learn from this unforgettable group of women? In short, in every culture, in every social issue, women are the key agents to empowering communities.

What I experienced at the end of the program was a deeper understanding that when women support women and feel they can safely grow into the best versions of themselves- our communities, states, nation, world is not only a better place — we have the ability to maximize our collective potential and thrive. And when women thrive, we all thrive.

One True North, which focuses on leadership and business coaching skills, takes pride in supporting the WeWil collaborative, which is aimed at growing and empowering women in the business community. (MC) That experience stuck with me so much that when Paul and I launched our business, I had a hunger to seek that kind of village in our own community.

After spending time with a group of other like-minded women, the WeWil (Women Empowering Women in Leadership) Collaborative was born in January 2020 in SCV. At the onset, we collected data to identify the barriers in women developing their leadership and organized a list of substantive workshops we knew could grow our leadership muscle. Then COVID hit.

At first, we considered pausing on our kick-off workshop, but we quickly dug deep, pivoted and launched our first workshop in March 2020 to understand the fundamentals of brain science during times of crisis and the importance of developing a resilient mindset.

Shortly after, we started to plan for our second workshop set for June. Then in May, on the day we had scheduled a meeting, news of the killing of George Floyd left us distraught and bewildered.

Once again, we wondered if we should pause and wait. But we quickly responded by hosting a workshop to share what it means to be an ally and to support women of color.

We followed up in the Fall with a highly engaging 2-part workshop to gain a deeper understanding of imposter syndrome and actionable steps to manage it, and ended 2020 with examining what real inclusion means and how we can provide access for diverse employees in the workplace.

Now we are preparing for a workshop in April on the art of persuasion and negotiation to empower women with tools to shape their futures and confidently advocate for ourselves in any situation.

More than 170 people have attended our virtual workshops that include professionals from different states and educational institutions such as The University of Utah and Vanderbilt University.

We also have raised money for nonprofits that support women and children nationally and locally.

At the conclusion of the Business

Alliance workshop, I was asked what advice I’d give other women business owners right now. I heartily offered the following: join a community of women … or start one; support other women; ask for help; and if you want to build leadership muscle, get comfortable with being uncomfortable — with other women.

Paul and I take great pride in our business, One True North, empowering the WeWil collaborative and to have started a growing community of women that seek a safe place where women can enhance their leadership development and maximize their leadership potential.

As Women’s History month comes to an end, let’s envision a future where women can continue to learn, grow, and lead in Santa Clarita. Empowering women empowers our community.

Lisa Raggio is co-owner, with her brother Paul, of One True North Inc. Leadership and Business Coaching Solutions, www. onetruenorthcoach.com. 

SCV BUSINESS VOICES

THE SANTA CLARITA VALLEY’S LARGEST PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYERS HOLLY SCHROEDER President & CEO of SCVEDC

T

he Santa Clarita Valley is a growing region with significant opportunities for businesses including available, state-of-the-art industrial and commercial buildings in master planned developments. Despite the challenges, 2020 was a successful year for many companies, and there were several attractions and expansions across our target industry clusters. Through our research for the Economic Outlook Forecast, we compiled the Santa Clarita Valley Largest Employer’s List illustrating some remarkable growth this past year.

Lief Labs is a thriving nutritional supplement manufacturing company recognized on the Inc. 5000 fastest growing private companies list. Leif expanded its footprint in the Santa Clarita Valley and achieved 50% sales growth and over 50% employee increase during one of the toughest years of uncertainly and expansion risk. Gothic Landscaping, Quest Diagnostics, and Stay Green, Inc. are three more firms with meaningful gains this past year by expanding their companies by more than 10%.

New to the SCV Largest Employer’s List is Amazon, which opened two distribution centers and brought more than 500 jobs to our region. Amazon’s presence here further demonstrates how attractive the SCV is due to its pro-business environment and prime location.

The Santa Clarita Valley economic ecosystem is varied and diversified with multiple professional industry sectors – Aerospace & Defense, Medical Devices, Digital Media & Entertainment, Information Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, Corporate & Professional Services. This allows the Santa Clarita Valley to not only be resilient but thrive.

Whether it’s designing cutting-edge technologies or developing life-changing medical devices, filming toprated television shows or imagining world-class vacations, the Santa Clarita Valley is the ideal location for innovative companies in Southern California. Because the Santa Clarita Valley offers a high quality of life, a variety of tax and incentive programs for both small and large companies, and close proximity to most Southern California business centers, it’s no wonder our region has been named Los Angeles County’s most businessfriendly city time and time again.

The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp. is a unique private/public partnership representing the united effort of regional industry and government leaders. The SCVEDC utilizes an integrated approach to attracting, retaining and expanding a diversity of businesses in the Santa Clarita Valley, especially those in key industry clusters, by offering competitive business services and other resources. For more information, visit SCVEDC. org. 

25

PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYERS

Each year SCVEDC compiles a list of the Santa Clarita Valley's largest employers as research for the Economic Outlook Forecast. These are SCV's largest employers. Visit our website to learn more, scvedc.org.

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Walmart

Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital

Stay Green Inc.

Princess Cruises

Q2 Solutions

Boston Scientific

Kaiser Permanente

The Master's College

Gothic Landscaping

Woodward HRT

AMS Fulfillment

Quest Diagnostics

Bocchi Laboratories

Scorpion Internet Marketing &

ITT Aerospace Controls

Design

Pharmavite

California Institute of the Arts

Costco Wholesale

Amazon

McDonald's

Advanced Bionics

Landscape Development

Contractors Wardrobe

B&B Manufacturing Co.

scvedc.org |661.288.4400

B8 · SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021 · THE SIGNAL

THE LIST: C ommercial R eal E state BROKERAGE

TOP EXECUTIVE

CONTACT

CBRE Group

Craig Peters, executive vice president

Locations of Local offices: https://www.cbre.us/people-and-offices/corporate-offices/los-angeles

NAI Capital

Chris Jackson, CEO/Owner

25060 Ave Stanford, STE 165, Santa Clarita, 91355 // 661-705-3550 // CEO Email: cjackson@naicapital.com

Colliers

Unable to Confirm

27451 Tourney Road, STE 330, Santa Clarita 91355 // 661-259-9200

DAUM

Chad Jacobson, COO

28494 Westinghouse Pl, STE 312, Valencia 91355 // 818-449-1626

illi Commercial Real Estate

Todd Nathanson, President

17547 Ventura Blvd, STE 304, Encino 91316 // 818-501-2212

Jones Lang LaSalle

21080 Center Point Pkwy, STE 102, Santa Clarita, 91350 // 661-964-6206

RE/MAX of Santa Clarita - Crissman Commercial Services

"Tim Crissman, Broker Associate"

"25129 The Old Road, Suite #212 Santa Clarita, CA 91381 (661)295-9300 commercialrealestatejake@gmail.com" "25152 Springfield Court Suite 120, Valencia, CA 91355 818)471-4272 tammey@valleywideleasing.com"

Valleywide Leasing, Inc.

SCV Commercial Real Estate Services

Pam and Dennis Varner

"27240 Turnberry Lane #200 Santa Clarita, California 91355 661-714-5271 info@scvcommercial.com"

Pathview Capitol Inc.

"Eduardo Ponte CEO/President"

"25000 Avenue Stanford, Suite 244 Valencia, Ca 91355 ​info@pathviewcapital.com 1-888-629-5682"

Stratton International Commercial Real Estate Services

"Robert A. Stratton Jr. CEO/President"

"28005 Smyth Dr Valencia, CA 91355 (661) 702-9700 ContactUs@StrattonInternational.com"

THE FRANCO REALTY GROUP

Rasmus Lee, Broker

"23890 Copper Hill Drive #376 Valencia, CA 91354 (310)752-4899 info@gofrancorealty.com "

Spectrum Commercial Real Estate, Inc.

Yair Haimoff

"28392 Constellation Road Valencia, CA 91355 (661) 306-9600 info@spectrumcre.com "

HELPING BUSINESSES GET BACK ON TRACK

BY EMILY ALVARENGA Signal Staff Writer

A

s more Santa Clarita Valley businesses prepare to reopen amid changing COVID-19 restrictions, many local organizations are continuing to provide assistance.

Whether it’s the College of the Canyons Small Business Development Center, SCV Economic Development Corp. or SCV Chamber of Commerce, SCV’s business organizations, along with county resources, like the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer & Business Affairs, have been working to help businesses get back on track.

“We have an obligation and opportunity to serve those small businesses who have been suffering during the pandemic,” county DCBA Director Rafael Carbajal said. “We are proud of the painstaking work we have pursued with our partners to provide a plethora of resources for businesses throughout the county. While we have reached the final phase of our existing grant programs, our advocacy work to expand small business resources continues.”

SCV ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP. “A big part of what we’ve been doing is really just helping businesses make sense of what’s going on,” said Holly Schroeder, CEO and president of the SCVEDC.

As businesses were faced with the roller coaster of changes in restrictions through the year, the SCVEDC worked to make sense of them, keep track of the public health orders and what applied to them, Schroeder added.

Through these changes, the SCVEDC has hosted a number of webinars to keep the business community informed, as well as help them stay abreast of what resources are out there and to learn from each other.

And as restrictions continue to change, the SCVEDC is committed to continuing to do just that.

“One of the things we’ve been trying to do is just make sure people know, and stay on top of that, because it has been a rapidly changing target,” Schroeder said.

In addition, the SCVEDC continues to provide businesses with information regarding current COVID-19 relief grants and loans available to them.

For more information, visit scvedc.org/ coronavirus.

SCV CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Like the SCVEDC, the chamber has been working to assist businesses in navigating the pandemic since its onset a year ago.

On the chamber’s website, businesses can find a COVID-19 resource page, filled with information regarding grants and local updates, as well as videos of

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past webinars the chamber has hosted.

The chamber has also created a number of campaigns, including a first responders gratitude campaign and shop local campaign, encouraging SCV residents to support local businesses.

For more information, visit scvchamber.com/ cpages/state-resources.

COC’S SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER Similarly, the SBDC has been assisting businesses with keeping up to date with available COVID-19 relief grants and loans, according to director Catherine Grooms.

The SBDC provides business owners in the SCV, as well as the San Fernando Valley, Antelope Valley and L.A. Metro areas, with professional business advisors at no cost, accessible via phone and virtual appointments.

“We know how critical small to medium businesses are ... they’re the driver for the local economy and the national economy, and that’s why we exist as a resource,” Grooms said.

Whether it’s applying for disaster assistance or for guidance on reopening or even expanding their business, the SBDC can serve as a resource.

For more information, visit cocsbdc.org.

L.A. COUNTY’S DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER & BUSINESS AFFAIRS For businesses countywide, the DCBA has small business counselors available to provide technical assistance to business owners in response to COVID, among other resources, according to Jethro Rothe-Kushel, director of communications.

The DCBA also has hosted a number of webinars to help businesses sustain their operations, maximize financial resources and plan for the future.

In addition, the county’s Development Authority has launched a business loan program to support and help stabilize businesses in the region, ranging from $50,000 to $3 million, that can be used for working capital, equipment purchases, inventory or refinancing of existing loans at higher interest rates.

Businesses can access these resources and more through the county’s Disaster Help Center, a one-stop shop for small businesses impacted by the pandemic looking to access capital, avoid layoffs, reopen safely and help their workers.

For more information, visit lacountyhelpcenter. org/for-business-owners or visit dcba.lacounty. gov/concierge for counselor assistance.

SCV BUSINESSES RECEIVE COVID-19 RELIEF GRANTS Here in the SCV, a number of businesses and nonprofits have applied for and received grants of $15,000 each through the L.A. Regional COVID-19 Recovery Fund.

Of those was Justine Belyeu, owner of Black Hair Care by Justine, who before receiving the grant, was anxious, unsure how she’d pay the bills with no income.

“Applying was pretty simple ... (and) straightforward — it was the waiting and the anticipation of each month, hoping you made each round (that was difficult),” she said. “I was so grateful when I finally got the approval notice. I was able to keep my bills current because of it.”

With the grant, Belyeu was able to cryogenic machine so she could expand

Owner Justine Belyeu sanitizes one of the new chairs she was able to buy with grant money she received for her salon, Black Hair Care by Justine, in Canyon Country. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL the services her business offers.

Through it all, it was the community of salons and barbershops Belyeu is a part of that have helped to keep each other’s businesses alive, she said.

“It’s all about community,” she added.

“We’re just a small piece of this community, but we’re all able to not just survive, but thrive. It’s been a blessing.”

Local Realtor Denise Mitchell found the grant when all else had failed, she said, adding she used the grant to help her hire a marketing team to build a website and help her with online marketing.

“This was very helpful to me as there was no way during the pandemic that I could have continued on this successful path,” Mitchell said. “I’m very excited to launch it all very soon and have an online presence. Being a single mom and sole supporter of her in my home, and needing to be with her more and helping her with school, this is going to greatly help me stay on top of my game. This was easier than any other assistance I received.”

Family Promise of SCV’s work to connect homeless individuals with shelter through partnerships with local churches and synagogues came to a complete standstill when the pandemic hit.

The organization had to pivot, instead sheltering families and pregnant women in motels before the organization purchased a transitional house in July with the help of donors, according to Roché Vermaak, executive director. “(The grant) made a tremendous difference in our ability to continue to shelter homeless families in motels and in our transitional house and to provide ongoing case management assisting families to find employment and/or housing and connecting them to agencies to find social services and benefits, physical and mental health, child care and permanent housing,” Vermaak said. 

THE SIGNAL · SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021 · B9

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B10 · SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021 · THE SIGNAL

‘WAVE OF THE FUTURE’

A new brain therapy is using transcranial magnetic stimulation as a noninvasive way to aid brain activity with the use of magnetic pulses

BY EMILY ALVARENGA Signal Staff Writer

L

ocal neurosurgeon Dr. Mark Liker is making strides with brain stimulation therapy at his recently opened Valencia center, supporting brain health in patients of all ages.

Liker, who specializes in deep brain stimulation, or DBS, has always had a fascination with the different brain pathologies that impact people’s lives.

With the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, therapy, Liker is able to stimulate brain cells the same way he would with DBS in a non-invasive way by using a series of magnetic pulses on the outside of the body.

“By modulating the circuits, you can change the outflow of the circuits … which is behavior,” Liker said. “I think this is the wave of the future.”

Now, he’s opened BrainStim Centers Inc., a therapeutic center using the innovative practice of TMS therapy to support brain health.

Research suggests that stimulating neurons in this manner restores normal brain activity, which can improve psychological issues, such as depression and anxiety.

While TMS may be considered a “new” treatment when compared to mental health practices such as psychotherapy or medication, it’s actually been around since the mid-’80s and garnered a proven track record in use as a treatment for depression — enough for approval for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The treatment has also shown therapeutic promise for conditions like anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, tremors, tinnitus and addiction, and has been approved for use in both chronic pain and

tinnitus in Europe.

“I think this is a tremendous new paradigm, a new tool, that can help so many different people,” Liker added. “It’s really an exciting time for those of us in the brain field, because we have all these tools that we can pull together to be able to offer this kind of treatment for patients who otherwise really wouldn’t have many other options.”

BrainStim Centers uses Nexstim’s advanced SmartFocus TMS technology, which uses a 3D image of the patient’s brain from an MRI scan to precisely navigate treatment and more accurately pinpoint the therapy to personalized targets for each patient.

“Every patient is getting that individual, precise treatment,” said Crystal Martinez, office manager and neuromodulation specialist, adding that a camera and sensors pair the patient with the computer imaging of their brain. “It’s going to match up their real-time anatomy to the image.”

Most patients require a series of short, daily treatments over the course of several weeks.

AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT Stevenson Ranch resident Karen Williams has suffered with depression for more than a decade since her son died in 2009.

Now, Williams is on her second round of TMS therapy treatment at the BrainStim Center and considers the treatment a “miracle” that has really helped her with her depression, she said.

“The first time I came here, I didn’t even want to live anymore … but it’s getting better,” Williams said, adding that she started noticing a change in herself almost right away after starting treatment.

“It just lifts your spirits.”

Williams’ daughter Lisa Feltz agreed,

JOBS

CREATING A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT Both Ashley and Williams agree that the treatment is both relaxing and calming.

“We put on aromatherapy for them, if they want to have music on, (etc.) to make it relaxing,” Martinez said. “We want them to feel comfortable as much as possible. It makes the whole process a lot easier and more tolerable for them.”

Aleksandra Borowska, a neuromodulation specialist at the center, agreed, adding that the center is a family, and each patient who comes in is welcomed into it.

“It’s just a very friendly environment here, and we want patients to feel that, too,” Borowska said.

The center also continues to support its patients upon completion of treatment, offering aftercare services, such as yoga or breathwork, added Martinez.

“It gives them a sense of comfort that

it’s not the end of the road with us,” she said. “It’s a continued journey.”

HELPING OVERALL BRAIN HEALTH In addition to using the TMS therapy to treat depression, BrainStim Centers is using the technology, along with quantitative EEGs to measure brain wave activity in patients, to improve overall brain health in what Borowska considers “brain optimization.”

“It is a fairly new technology that allows us to look at the abnormal oscillations of the brain, and therefore once we can see that, we can treat the oscillations and attempt to bring them back to a more normal pattern,” Liker said, adding that these oscillations can present various symptoms from difficulty sleeping to loss of focus.

“It is very personalized because we know exactly which part of the brain might be under-stimulated or which part is over-stimulated for each individual,” Borowska said.

The improvement seen by patients receiving TMS treatment also typically correlates with the electro-physiological results shown on the EEG by the way that the brain has changed its oscillations through the course of treatment, Liker added.

“We’ve solved so many health problems (over the years) — the next frontier is the brain, and we haven’t delved into this very much yet,” Liker said. “This is a new frontier right now, so it’s really very exciting.”

For more information about BrainStim Centers Inc., visit brainstimcenters.com. 

Unemployment

Continued from page B3

However, as health orders are relaxed, city and regional business officials expect to see more local job opportunities on the horizon.

“As we see the health departments allow businesses, like Magic Mountain and movie theaters, to reopen or to have some amounts of expanded activity, like indoor dining at restaurants, we will see those businesses increase hiring and bring more of our residents back to work,” said Jason Crawford, the city’s planning, marketing and economic development manager. “We are excited about increasing this economic activity, in a safe way, and allowing our businesses to get back to business.”

Holly Schroeder, president and CEO of the SCV Economic Development Corp., agreed, adding, “We anticipate continued recovery of jobs in the Santa Clarita Val-

adding that said she, too, saw a change in her mother within the first few days.

“You go to the psychiatrist, they give you this, they give you that. … You’re too tired, you feel like sleeping all the time,” Williams said of previous treatments she’s received over the years. “This is not like that at all. … It’s better than taking all those pills, believe me.”

Ashley, a 13-year-old patient whose name has been changed for privacy reasons, traveled from New York to be treated at the Valencia center.

“Before I was feeling anxiety constantly — I was all over the place and chaotic — but now I’m actually managing to stay in one place, which is honestly kind of insane because I didn’t know that was even possible,” she said.

Her mother has also seen a big improvement in Ashley, adding, “She’s definitely able to focus better, and is a lot calmer and happier.”

Area Name

Labor Force

Employment

Number

Rate

Los Angeles County

4,916,600

4,290,200

626,400

12.7%

Burbank

56,800

49,200

7,600

13.3%

Los Angeles

2,000,900

1,749,800

251,100

12.5%

Palmdale

64,100

53,000

11,100

17.3%

San Fernando

110,200

97,300

12,900

11.7%

Santa Clarita

16,900

15,100

1,800

10.6%

ley, especially as Magic Mountain reopens, and later this year, Princess Cruises resumes sailings. These companies are two of our largest employers and have been hit hardest by the shutdown orders. We should also see increased recovery in the retail and hospitality sector as reopenings continue.”

At this time, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommends avoiding any travel on cruise ships, leaving operations for locally based Princess Cruises in turmoil.

“We don’t have many jobs open

for recruiting right now because our return to service/operations still remain uncertain based on authorization from public health authorities around the world, specifically the CDC here in the U.S.,” added Brian O’Connor, vice president of communications.

Inversely, Six Flags Magic Mountain has been given the green light by the state to reopen, and plans on doing so April 1.

“We have tons of safety procedures that have been implemented at all the other Six Flags parks across the country as they’ve

opened that were developed in line with the CDC (protocols) and (in consultation with) epidemiologists that we hired,” said Jerry Certonio, the park’s manager of marketing and communications.

The park’s been in preparation mode, running the roller coasters and recertifying ride operators, and is currently planning on hiring for up to 1,500 open positions.

“We’re hiring for pretty much every position, as we look to get back to business as quickly as possible,” Certonio added. 

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THE SIGNAL · SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021 · B11

THE CALM THAT GOOD LEADERSHIP CAN PROVIDE PAUL BUTLER Signal Contributing Writer

I

’ll always remember the soccer game when I threw my jersey on the ground to show my disagreement with the referee’s decision to award a penalty kick to our opponents. I can still hear his stern words: “Put that jersey back on or you need to walk off my pitch!”

I walked off the soccer field shirtless.

Not only did I leave my team a player short, (because under the rules of the game they couldn’t replace me) but to make matters worse, I was the team captain! I was 14 years old, but felt about 4 as I marched off the field in a tantrum.

It was a long silent drive home in my grandfather’s car. I knew he was upset and embarrassed by my behavior, but he didn’t tell me so. As much as I loved my grandfather, I wish in hindsight he would have berated and corrected me on what was clearly unacceptable behavior as a leader — albeit just the captain of a young boys’ soccer team.

I don’t even remember the incident being bought to the attention of my parents when we arrived home and, if it was, I don’t recall receiving any discipline for doing what I did in letting so many others down.

Correction for bad behavior is never

Good leadership isn’t just about telling your employees what to do, writes business expert Paul Butler, it’s also about setting an example. (MC) enjoyable when its being administered, but life-long lessons ensue. I’m sure some of my sassiness shown in the early part of my working career would have been quenched if I’d have been corrected when I was much younger, but sadly it wasn’t. Even now there’s still a tinge in me when I’m told what to do by someone in authority.

One of the inarguable traits most admired in great leaders is humility. The opposite of humility is ego. The only leader despised more than an egotistical leader is one who also lacks self-control.

The workplaces of the world can all whisper stories of men and women who had egos larger than any legacy they left and who saw the words “self-control” as an oxymoron.

It doesn’t matter whether we’re talking about a captain of a kids’ soccer team or a leader in the workplace — a lack of self-control can lose games and damage work teams. I take full responsibility in hindsight for my unacceptable tantrum on a rainy soccer field in the early 1980s but I also think those around me, (namely my parents and my grandfather) had a duty to discipline me. Likewise, any supervisor, manager or senior leader who brings the workplace game into disrepute needs to be disciplined by their boss.

Each and every one of us is accountable to an authority higher than ourselves. If we don’t correct our own poor behavior, the duty to do so falls at the feet of another. An employee has a boss. An owner may have a co-owner or

investors. A CEO has a board of directors. A city mayor has a council. Even a president has a mechanism to correct his unacceptable behavior in this Great Democracy.

I wonder how many of our egotistical leaders who lack self-control would have learned their lesson quicker if others around them would have corrected them sooner. I wonder how many of my earlier workplace woes would have been mitigated, if indeed there had been a difficult conversation on the way home with a man much wiser than my tender years.

Great leaders are calm leaders. It doesn’t mean their passive or pedestrian in their drive to get things done, but there is a respectful tone to their manner of speech. They put people first. They’re honorable on their way up the leadership ladder because they are concerned about who they may tumble into on the way down it.

My observation has been that people like to work with, and for, leaders who are psychologically safe rather than a turbulent tyrant who may metaphorically throw his or her jersey on the ground if he or she doesn’t agree with the referee’s call.

Paul Butler is a Santa Clarita resident and a client partner with Newleaf Training and Development of Valencia (newleaftd.com). The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Signal newspaper. For questions or comments, email Butler at paul. butler@newleaftd.com. 

VALLEY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION 28368 Constellation Road | Suite 360 | Valencia | CA 91355 | 661.294.8088 | www.via.org

A D V O C AT E . E D U C AT E . I N N O VAT E .

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• Without Character, You’re Not a Leader • Without Clear, Purposeful and Inspiring Communication, Your Vision Fails • Understanding Yourself and Understanding Your Team Leads to Extraordinary Results • Knowing When to Adapt Your Leadership Style Is the Difference Between Success and Failure • The Pinnacle is Servant Leadership

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Michael P. Garrison CPA Treasurer KKAJ, LLP Kim Thomson Corporate Secretary SCV Relocation Services Steve Nunez Director at Large Mission Valley Bank

Sue Tweddell Vice Chair, Education Primerica Financial

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nola Aronson Advanced Audiology

JC Burnett Vice Chair, Advocacy Courier-Messenger, Inc.

Monica Fawcett City of Santa Clarita

Ed Masterson Vice Chair, Workforce Development SOS Entertainment

David Cantrell American Family Funding

Patti Handy Vance Wealth

Mark Young Donahoe Young & Willams

Laura Kirchhoff Circle Of Hope

Jill Mellady Mellady Direct Marketing

Mike Kuhlman William S. Hart USD

Jorge Lopez J & M Events

Kim Kurowski A-1 Party

Paul Raggio One True North

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Myles McNamara Comfort Keepers In-Home Care Ted Sirotta Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital

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Omar Torres College of the Canyons

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B12 · SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021 · THE SIGNAL

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IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL YET? PATRICK MOODY Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital

N

ow that more and more people are vaccinated and COVID-19 cases seem to be declining in many areas of the country, it’s natural if your thoughts have turned to the open road. But before you jump into the spring travel season, there’s a lot to think about.

COVID-19 is still with us—and may be for many more months. So here are a few smart things to know before you make any travel plans.

STAYING HOME IS STILL SAFEST Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and other people from getting COVID-19. Any type of travel increases your risk for catching and spreading the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Even if you’ve been vaccinated, CDC says, it still may be possible to give the virus to your loved ones and others you encounter.

If you’re considering traveling anyway, do a little research before you make a decision: ■ Find out how active COVID-19 is at home and at your destination. The more cases there are, the higher your chances for getting infected or spreading the virus yourself.

■ Look into who’s at risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Older people, smokers, pregnant women and people with certain underlying conditions are more likely to get seriously ill. If you, someone you live with or someone you’re thinking of visiting falls into one of those groups, traveling may not be worth the risk.

■ Think through the logistics. CDC recommends that you get tested with a viral test one to three days before your trip—and again three to five days after your trip. You can search for destination-specific guidance at CDC’s website.

IF YOU DECIDE TO GO No matter how you travel, take steps to protect yourself and others. Be sure to: ■ Get vaccinated if you are eligible. Wait at least two weeks after your last shot to travel.

■ Pack protective gear. Before you leave on your trip, stock up on personal protective supplies. Bring with you: • Extra masks.

• A sealable plastic bag to store wet or dirty masks.

• Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

• Sanitizing wipes.

For more information on the Coronavirus visit henrymayo.com/coronavirus. Patrick Moody is the director of marketing and public relations at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. For more information about local community health programs, visit HenryMayo.com.

Patrick Moody is the director of marketing and public relations at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. For more information about local community health programs, visit HenryMayo.com. 

DEADLINE FOR BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY THIS MONTH

BY JEFF PRANG Los Angeles County Assessor

I

want to visit with you this month about a deadline that oftentimes is overlooked but is significant nevertheless — the Business Property Statements. And the deadline is here.

Each year Business Property Statements, which provide a basis for determining property assessments for fixtures and equipment, are mailed by my office to most commercial, industrial and professional firms.

Businesses with personal property and fixtures that cost $100,000 or more must file a Business Property Statement each year by April 1. This is required by state law. However, you have until May 7 to file. After that a 10% penalty will be applied. Business inventory is exempt from taxation.

Generally, businesses with personal property and fixtures that cost less than $100,000 are not required to file a Business Property Statement annually. Instead, a value is established based on an initial Business Property Statement filing or by an on-site appraisal. That value may be adjusted by subsequent annual on-site appraisals. My office is legally mandated to assess the value of business personal property in excess of $10,000 as of January 1.

In general, Business Personal Property is all property owned or leased by a business except Real Property and Inventory items.

Don’t settle for advertising your SCV jobs just on-line.

It’s important to remember that business personal property is valued annually as of Jan. 1, according to Assessor Jeff Prang. If you were in business on that day and have the required amount of property, you are required to file. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL Business Personal Property includes, but is not limited to: ■ Machinery ■ Computers ■ Equipment (e.g. FAX machines, photocopiers) ■ Telephones ■ Furniture (e.g. desks, chairs, bookcases) ■ Supplies

Tangible property owned, claimed, possessed or controlled in the conduct of a profession, trade or business may be subject to property taxes.

It’s important to remember that Business Personal Property is valued annually as of January 1. If you were in business on that day and have the required amount of property, you are required to file. Business Property Statements are private documents and are held confidential by my office.

Having said that, I understand this has been a very difficult year for many businesses and I am inviting you to provide me with information about your business equipment for the possibility of some relief. The Covid-19 restrictions imposed over the past year has had a negative impact on some businesses, such as gyms, SKYBOX TEXT hotels and movie theaters, while others not so much.

Businesses that were operating on Jan. 1 but then regrettably had to shutter are going to be considered. Make no 100 YEARS mistake about this, I intend to be proactive about these reductions. For more information on this relief go to https://assessor.lacounty.gov/decline-in-value/.

I also think it’s important to note that the very reason for our property taxes are to support vital public services SignalSCV. com provided to all of us, including law enforcement, fire

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protection, education, parks and recreation, as well as roads.

Property taxes are based on the assessed value of your property. Property tax bills show land and improvement values. Improvements include all assessable buildings and structures on the land. In general, properties that are owned and used by educational, charitable, religious or government organizations may be exempt from certain property taxes. You may also qualify for certain exemptions.

We had a successful webinar about Business Personal Property just last week that takes you through the process step-by-step of filling out the 571-L form, which is the bureaucratic name for the Business Personal Property form that must be filed no later than May 7 to avoid a penalty. You can access the webinar in English and in Spanish here at assessor.lacounty.gov/ webinars-and-presentations/.

To file the form online or just to learn more about this go to assessor.lacounty.gov/personal-propertyassessments-2/. Finally, if you want to contact us by phone, please call (213) 974-3211 or (888) 807-2111 toll-free.

For more information on Prop. 19 or other tax savings programs, visit assessor.lacounty.gov or call (213) 974-3211. Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang has been in office since 2014.

Upon taking office, Prang implemented sweeping reforms to ensure that the strictest ethical guidelines rooted in fairness, accuracy and integrity would be adhered to in his office, which is the largest office of its kind in the nation with 1,400 employees and provides the foundation for a property tax system that generates $17 billion annually. 