Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Open Board of Directors Meeting
San Bernardino Community College District
114 S. Del Rosa Drive
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Minutes
Present: Dimitrios Alexiou, Don Averill, Deborah Barmack, Peter Barmack, Carole Beswick, Tom Brickley, Erin Brinker, Ann Bryan, Ken Coate, Bill Easley, Ron Freemont, Ron Griffin, Dick Hart, Scott Hofferber, Matthew Isaac, Tim Johnson, Al Karnig, Sue McKee, John Mirau, Susan Rice, Kristine Scott, Larry Sharp, Shelli Stockton, Steve von Rajcs, Phil Waller, A.J. Wilson and Ray Wolfe.
Announcements: 1) Committee chairs and Co-chairs were reminded of the issues and related paperwork deadlines for the Washington, D.C. trip. 2) Congressman Cook is hosting a meet & greet in Highland on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at the Hampton Inn form 5:30p.m. -7:00p.m. If you are interested in attending please e-mail CA08.RSVP@mailhuse.gov or call (760) 247-1815. 3) There will be a ground breaking ceremony for the S. Milliken Ave. and N. Vineyard Ave. Grade Separation Project on Tuesday February 18, 2014 at 10a.m. at the Ontario Convention Center Parking Lot. Please Rsvp to tspiegel@ci.ontario.ca.us 4) Best Best & Kreiger will continue their membership and have named Brian Reider, Partner to act as their representative. 5) The Randall Lewis Seminar Series will present a panelist discussion on Warehouse Work: Road to the Middle Class or to Economic Insecurity? This free presentation will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2014 from 4:30p.m. -6:30p.m., Riverside City Hall.
M/S/P: Minutes from February 4, 2014.
Peter Barmack introduced Fred Latuperissa, Director, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has numerous branches. The U.S. Commercial Service is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. The U.S. Commercial Service trade professionals are in over 100 offices in U.S. cities and in more than 75 countries. They help U.S. companies get started in exporting or increase sales to new global markets.
The mission of the U.S. Commercial Service is to increase U.S. exports, enhance job creation, strengthen national security, promote and protect U.S. commercial interests abroad, and deliver customized solutions to ensure that U.S. businesses compete and win in the global marketplace. Their services include:
- Market Intelligence to help U.S. exports target the right market(s) for their products and services
- Trade Counseling to provide them with the information they need to navigate the export process from beginning to end
- Business Matchmaking services to connect them with the right partners and prospects
- Trade Advocacy for U.S. companies to level the international playing field for international procurement
The Inland Empire’s international trade volume in metropolitan areas is ranked an impressive 36th in the nation. Exports are predominantly to Canada, Mexico, Japan and China.
Foreign investment here will continue to increase. It is economically beneficial as it creates jobs locally and stimulates the local economy with foreign purchases of goods and services. Growth opportunity from foreign investment is where land is available and the Inland Empire is well situated to benefit. The area also offers desirable intermodal access to air, truck and rail.
The Inland Empire draws foreign students that pay a premium to study here in addition to expenditures for living, entertainment, healthcare etc.
Mr. Latuperissa stated that 95% of the consumer market is outside of the United States and he is here to assist and help the Inland Empire export both manufactured goods and services.
A Q&A period followed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30a.m.