Vickie is the Director of Finance for Fleming Entertainment Centers, operators of Northridge Skateland, Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour & Restaurant, and Mountasia Family Fun Center. She has been with Northridge Skateland for over 20 years in numerous capacities. Aside from handling the financial side of the businesses, she is also the community relations spokesperson. Additionally, she is responsible for all large group and private reservations for profit and not-for-profit groups, schools, businesses, birthday parties and filming. Skateland is a regular venue for celebrity parties, tv commercials and shows, music videos and more.

Vickie has a Business degree from Cal State Northridge in Marketing, Finance, and Real Estate.  In her free time, she volunteers for many non-profit organizations including, LAPD Devonshire Police Activity League Supporters as the President,  and of course, the SFV Jaycees.  Vickie also enjoys participating in 5 and 10k’s that benefit local and national non-profit groups, traveling locally and internationally, and spending time with her nephew.

Jamie is also responsible for producing roughly 25% of the San Fernando Valley Business Journals annual revenue each year. Currently Jamie's sales categories include Commercial Real Estate, Education, Health Care, Economic Development Centers and Municipalities.

Prior to joining the San Fernando Valley Business Journal, he spent two years working at the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) as a committee coordinator in 1998. Jamie's role was to coordinate 13 monthly committee meetings and the annual Business Forecast Conference and annual Gala. Jamie also worked for Bank of America for 3 years.

Jamie Chien also is taking on a larger role in the community. Currently he is on the Board of Governors of the Valley Economic Alliance, a member of Marketing Committee for Valley Economic Development Center (VEDC). He is a Charter Member and Executive Board Member of the San Fernando Valley Jaycees and sits on the Alumni Advisory Board of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Zeta Mu Chapter. He also regularly attends meetings for Valley Industrial Association (VIA) and the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce.

He currently resides in Porter Ranch with his wife and two daughters.

Megan Cottier is a Field Deputy for Councilman Greig Smith with the City of Los Angeles Council District 12.  She has been coordinating events as well as assisting with community outreach for the Councilman since 2007.  Prior to working with the City, Megan worked in Member Services for the North Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce.  She sits on the Board of Directors for the West Valley Alliance and for Ride on Therapeutic Horsemanship.  Megan graduated from California State University, Fullerton in 2007 with a BA degree in Communications.

When Megan isn't working, she enjoys traveling to strange and exotic locations, horseback riding, reading (especially books about travel), photography and shopping. 

Vahid is an equities research analyst providing in-depth fundamental analysis for institutional investor groups on small cap stocks. Additionally, he provides analysis on impact of federal regulations on investments and the economy. Prior to his current position, Vahid was an executive of a computer wholesale company. Vahid's experience at the executive level, where he was involved in day to day operations and multi-million dollar transactions, provides for a more acute analysis offered to clients. This past experience allows Vahid to better understand what companies are attempting and how successful their ventures will be.

Vahid is currently Treasurer of the San Fernando Valley Jaycees. Prior to his term as Treasurer, Vahid served as Executive Vice President in 2009. In addition to his position with the Jaycees, Vahid is a member of the Board of Directors with the Encino Chamber of Commerce (Board Member of the Year in 2008 and 2009), the Valley Traffic Advisory Council and West Valley LAPD Jeopardy.

For leisure, Vahid is an avid weightlifter and runner. As the trunk of his car will attest, he is always prepared for a pick up game of almost any sport. Vahid also enjoys reading any book he can get his hands on.

Vahid is also on a quest to be the last person to join Facebook, or any other social network site.

Keith McPherson believes a combination of great minds can make a great effect and that by putting the following quotes together you can achieve anything you put your mind to!

"We must become the change we want to see." (Gandhi) by "Taking the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

After moving to the San Fernando Valley from Huntington Beach in 94' Keith graduated high school from William Howard Taft High. From a very young age Keith has always had an entrepreneurial mindset. From Keith's first venture of using his lunch money buy in bulk candy and soda and then resell it to his friends in elementary school to today founding of Digital Visual Media a digital media reputation management firm you can say that Keith has never been afraid of getting his hands dirty and working hard to get what he wants. Keith chose to pass on college, but instead to start a company right out of high school (KZM Consulting) by incorporating himself. KZM Consulting was a technical efficiency consulting firm focused on educating its clients on the efficiencies that could be made in their organization by utilizing new technologies and systemized processes that were most commonly set up by him after he would assess their business model. During this venture Keith acquired a Green Belt certification in Six Sigma. In 2006 after suffering a spinal cord injury leaving him paralyzed from the waist down Keith decided to reinvent his consulting firm as he was unhappy with the way that companies were handling their digital reputation. Upon release from the hospital Keith founded Digital Visual Media (DVM) in 2008. DVM handles development, implementation, and management of a client's digital reputation all while educating our clients to embrace our mantra of "Empatheticly listening to all a target market has to say online and reciprocating service that affects a target consumer emotionally, thereby making them a client for life." DVM currently consults and manages various local and regional organizations and brands such as (but not limited to) the Woodland Hills-Tarzana Chamber of Commerce, Togo-s Eatery, LocalDeals2U, The studio.

Keith has always had a passion for helping small business understand what makes big businesses so successful. He then likes to redevelop big business models and winning strategies into doable processes for small businesses to become more successful by implementing his strategies. Currently Keith is developing an online educational resource of this education material and is in the works to start publically speaking on various topics related to such subjects as Developing a Digital Presence, Engagement Strategies of Social Media, How to Make Your Customers Believe You Care, and his Keynote on Captivating Attention Through Content Hosting.

Ha S. Nguyen, Esq. is a patent attorney with extensive experience representing clients in all aspects of intellectual property procurement, maintenance and enforcement. He has assisted clients with patent application preparation, office action responses and patentability, validity and clearance searches. More specifically, he has helped clients in the areas of computer software, chemical processes, manufacture and compositions as well as solar fuel cells, semiconductor and polymer technology and pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions.

In the realm of maintenance and enforcement, Mr. Nguyen also has significant experience helping clients obtain trademarks, as well as trademark protection and enforcement before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Furthermore, he has substantial litigation experience in trademark and copyright infringement matters and has helped clients resolve cases in a timely and cost effective manner.

Ha S. Nguyen, Esq. received his Juris Doctor from Lewis and Clark Law School, Portland, Oregon, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Christina Ramirez

Christina Ramirez graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Global Studies and has spent time studying in Barcelona, Spain as well as Bangkok, Thailand.

She then put her wanderlust behavior aside to work for one of the News Corporation companies in Los Angeles, where she honed her strategic marketing and corporate sales skills-working with various national brands to help them achieve their marketing, branding and advertising goals. She understands consumer behavior on a micro level, as well as on a macro level which has allowed her to contribute her creative ideas to many campaigns over the years.

Having researched trends and observing the potential of the social media movement in 2009, Christina took her traditional marketing hat off and put her digital media cap on and embarked in the world of freelancing with various social media and production/post production agencies.

Currently, Christina spearheads the design and execution of social media campaigns for various local and international clients. She also is the proud Executive Producer for Cage Free Content- a production company in Sherman Oaks who creates music videos, commercials, short films and documentaries.

Her passion project and new business called One Brush is a fresh toothbrush brand that uses the one for one model helping to provide oral hygiene materials and education to children in developing regions. For every toothbrush sold here in the United States, One Brush will donate a toothbrush to a child in a primary school, beginning with Latin American countries. Each toothbrush collection will be designed by inspiring artists, musicians, fashion tastemakers and innovative thinkers. Christina is excited to launch her brand this Spring, 2011. www.One-Brush.com is coming soon, so stay tuned!

Christina lives for traveling, bikram yoga, art and photography, business, meeting great people and connecting them with other great people, volunteering, playing games and getting her hands dirty. She is a proud member of the SFV Jaycees and currently holds the VP of Marketing and Communication position.

Nick Ramirez
Principal
The Whiskey Girls

Nick Ramirez currently serves as president for the San Fernando Valley Jaycees. He is co-owner of The Whiskey Girls, a private event boutique bartending service. Nick regularly shares his time and experience with community organizations, and most recently served on the Executive Board for the Police Activity League Supporters, West Valley Division helping at risk youth with after school programs and education.

Nick received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Cinema and Television Arts in 2007 from California State University Northridge. He was involved in several Executive Boards on and off campus including New Student Orientation and Director of Clubs and Organizations for the Associated Students. As a member of the Sigma Chi International Fraternity, Nick was elected to serve as the Vice President and New Member Educator during his undergraduate career and was elected Outstanding Graduating Senior in 2007 for his dedication to the advancement of his fraternity, his participation in community involvement and his academic achievement.

Stephen Rischall
Financial Advisor
Waddell & Reed Inc.

Stephen Rischall is an independent financial advisor with Waddell & Reed, Inc. He provides comprehensive financial strategies to business owners, families and individuals. Stephen has a great deal of experience with retirement planning, next generation business transitions and implementing successful employee benefit programs.

Stephen graduated cum laude with a degree in Finance from the College of Business and Economics at California State University Northridge. He received a special honors commendation award for his active participation and management of the CSUN Student Investment Portfolio.

Stephen lives an active lifestyle in the San Fernando Valley. He is the Vice President of Membership for the San Fernando Valley Jaycees and an ambassador with the Woodland Hills ~ Tarzana Chamber of Commerce. He enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, rock climbing, wakeboarding, basketball and golf.

To date, Wendy has successfully completed a workforce merger between the three YMCA centers, reinvigorated and grown the Mid Valley Family YMCA's Board of Managers and committees, initiated redevelopment planning to identify and analyze options for the revitalization of the Mid Valley Y to ensure its longevity in the mid-Valley for another 60 years, and grown Mid Valley Y membership revenue by 22% since 2003. Wendy now oversees an annual operating budget of $8M, over 200 employees and 500 volunteers, and has helped raise hundreds of thousands of fundraising dollars annually to provide YMCA scholarships for families in need. She conveys a coaching style of leadership and has created a foundation and culture of self-awareness, personal responsibility, and open communication within her leadership staff team. She is the Chair of the SFV Jaycees' Community Leadership Development Program, an 8-month leadership training program launched in May 2010 which provides the tools, resources, and experience for young people in the Valley to become effective non-profit board members, as they are needed to fill the growing leadership gap as baby boomers retire from their involvement in non-profit work.

Wendy is an active member of the Van Nuys Rotary Club, the Van Nuys Airport Citizens' Advisory Council, and the JF Foundation Board. Wendy has worked for the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles since 1996 and brings to her role as Executive Director of Operations of the Mid, East, and West Valley Family YMCAs business acumen and effectiveness unparalleled for her age and is positively impacting the lives of her employees, volunteers, and Valley families and businesses. Wendy holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Maryland and lives in Canoga Park, California.

Anush Sumian is the Development Coordinator for Valley Village, a 40-year old agency in the San Fernando Valley serving people with developmental disabilities. She is responsible for developing and stewarding relationships with donors, funders, board members and community members. Anush is dedicated to finding sustainable funding for Valley Village. Her grace and personal style make donors feel comfortable and at ease when discussing the organization.

Prior to working at Valley Village, Anush was the Development Coordinator for Boy Scouts. She holds a BS in Recreation and Business Management from California State University at Northridge.

Wendy L. Yost
Owner
More is Available Coaching & Consulting

Wendy partners with individuals and organizations to assist them in growing through transitions and generating desired change. With a master’s degree in leadership and several coaching and spiritual counseling certifications, she possesses nearly two decades of experience helping people achieve desired results faster and with greater ease and enjoyment. Wendy passionately blends her professional expertise with her interest in practical spirituality to lend perspective when clients are going through particularly challenging times. Wendy also delights in teaching classes in leadership, marketing, and entrepreneurialism at California State University, Northridge.

Zach Zigmond is a Financial Representative for Northwestern Mutual in Woodland Hills. He seeks to help individuals achieve a more secure future by working to understand their situation, and to build a relationship that will serve their needs over time. Currently, he is licensed to sell life, health, disability, and long-term care products and is working to attain more certifications in the near future. Zach grew up in Northridge, and has spent his entire lifetime in the San Fernando Valley. He will be graduating from CSUN in the spring of 2011 with a degree in Financial Services.

During his spare time, Zach enjoys reading, learning new things, working out at the gym and meeting new people. Zach is a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and has served as the Alumni Relations Coordinator. He has also participated in several philanthropies that Sigma Chi has sponsored, and enjoys helping out the community.