2022 Spring Business Summit held

Lancaster – The annual summit of the Antelope Valley Economic Development and Growth Enterprise was held on May 24, 2002, after a two-year absence due to Covid. The summit nis presented by Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA). The theme was Bridging the Gaps.

The Master of Ceremonies was Jeff Michael, a well know TV journalist who reported for 30 years on Los Angeles televisions stations. Jeff is now Communications Specialist with Virgin Galactica which is opening space to as many people as possible.

A breakfast was served, an Invocation was delivered by Bishop Darrell Dorris who is also a Lancaster City Council member, followed by the presentation of colors by the Lancaster High School AF JROTC Color Guard. US Army Paratrooper veteran Dennis Anderson led the pledge followed by the national anthem sung by Palmdale High School’s Chamber Singers.

Speakers via video conferencing included Assemblyman Tom Lackey, Senator Shannon Grove, Senator Scott Wilk, Congressman Mike Garcia, Congressman Kevin McCarthy and Supervisor Kathryn Barger. The Antelope Valley Twin Cities of Palmdale and Lancaster Council representatives spoke and presented exciting and promising Power Point accounts of what is coming to their respective cities. Zack Scrivner, 2nd Supervisorial District for Kern County delivered a message about how Kern County has been recovering and advancing.

Ed “Disco” Buclatin, Public Affairs Director with the 412th Test Wing delivered a powerful and bright assuring message about Plant 42, EAFB and the Antelope Valley Air Show & STEM Expo, where 11,000 students will gather October 15 and 16, 2022. The Thunderbirds will be featured. To join the team got to bit.ly/avairshow-support or https://www.facebook.com/avairshow.

The keynote speaker who brought down the house with his stand-up ability delivered a serious message in a comical rib-tickling way about entrepreneurship was Daymond John of the ABC hit TV show SHARK TANK. He demonstrated his relentless commitment to promoting and supporting entrepreneurs. He told his audience he wanted everyone to take his 4 points home today. 1) Goals. 2) Homework. 3)Amor/Love. 4) Remember you are your own brand. 5)Keep swimming. His jump start brand that he walked through step by step from its inception is his well-known BUFU.

Pictured attending in support of Supervisor Kathryn Barger, and representing the Supervisor who could not attend, was Monica Banken, Children, Family Services, and Economic and Workforce Development Deputy, Shirley Harriman, Donna Termeer, Sr. Deputy Supervisor and Erika Schwerdt. Not pictured is Chuck Bostwick, Assistant Deputy Supervisor, Leslie Gamino, Staff Assistant and Kenia Garcia, Intern, from the Supervisor’s Antelope Valley Field office.

By Shirley Harriman