Introducing our Newest Board Member, Michael Ferrara

It is with great pleasure we present our newest addition to the LAGLCC Board of Directors, Michael Ferrera.

Currently, Michael serves as Director of LifeWorks, the LGBT youth
development and mentoring program at the LA Gay & Lesbian Center. Prior to July 1, 2009, he was the Executive Director and co-founder of LifeWorks Mentoring. Prior to LifeWorks, Michael worked as a social worker and Public Policy Director at Gay and Lesbian Adolescent Social Services.

In 2004, he co-authored the Foster Care Non-Discrimination Act which was passed in to law that same year.  He serves on the Child Welfare League of America's LGBT Youth Providers Network, the California Children's Roundtable, and Equality California's LGBT Human Services Network.

Michael lives with his husband of 17 years, Gregg Boyd. They were legally married on October 31, 2008.

Exclusive LGBT History Tour of LA

Date: May 15, 2010 
Departing from West Hollywood, CA  

 LAGLCC Member Business - Out & About Tours is excited to unveil the first and only gay bus tour in the Hollywood area that reveals, in an entertaining way, the culturally rich, vital and often hidden gay history in the city of Los Angeles and its relevance to our present-day gay experience. They promise to show us Hollywood like nobody has ever dared.

See a whole new side of the city where you work and play. This ride is not to be missed. Hop on board, grab a cocktail and hang on!

Price is $45 per person
Members May Pay Here

Out At Work - Career Fair and OUT Entrepreneurs Panel

On April 10 and 11,  OUT for Work is holding its Second Annual West Coast LGBTQA Student Career Conference at UCLA. They have asked that the LAGLCC provide panelists from our membership to take part in an OUT Entrepreneurs panel discussion. 

Specifically, we are looking for entrepreneurs to share stories about the successes and challenges of being out and open when it's your own business.  Also, to provide advice to those who want to be entrepreneurs.

The panel will be held on Saturday April 10 at approximately 2pm, and should last more than an hour.

The panel is being moderated by 2 time Emmy nominated producer,and LAGLCC board member, Steven Wishnoff.

To volunteer as a guest panelist for this exciting opportunity to "pay iot forward" please send an email to newsletter@laglcc.org - include your name, contact info, the kind of business you have and the number of employees you work with ( even if it is only you.)
*note: because we would like to present the strong diversity of our members we will not be able to have everyone who volunteers on the panel, so space on the panel will be limited to the first respondents in their field.


http://www.laglcc.org/common/profile-business.cfm?businessid=15&isgroup=2

LAGLCC Welcomes it's Most Recent New Board Member - Bridget Trumpet

Whenever there is vacant seat on the LAGLCC Board of Directors, our bylaws allow for the seated board members to bring in, by a majority vote, additional board members as may be deemed necessary. We are pleased to announce that we have taken this opportunity to bring you a new board member who we're sure will add immeasurably to all our chamber has to offer.
      
Bridget Trumpet is a Certified Public Accountant with over 17 years of domestic and international experience in finance, accounting, internal auditing, SOX compliance, royalty audits and forensic investigative engagements. Prior to forming Trumpet Financial Group, LLC, Bridget was the Chief Audit Executive at Rentech, an alternative energy company. Preceding her term at Rentech, Bridget was a Director in KPMG's Risk Advisory Services practice and a Group Manager in Ernst & Young's Business Risk Services group where she served a variety of Fortune 1000 and private clients in the entertainment, real estate, technology, oil and gas, energy and manufacturing industries. Bridget was also an auditor in the Internal Audit department at Republic National Bank (now HSBC). She began her career in the Finance Dept. of the British Government before moving to the U.S.


Please join us in welcoming her. You may contact Bridget at btrumpet@laglcc.org

LAGLCC and LGLA Joint Mixer

James Holchin, LAGLCC Treasurer and Chair of Community Outreach gave our members another example of how successful our mixer events are. 


Obar, in West Hollywood, played host on Friday Feb 27. LAGLCC Membership and their guests were joined by members of the LGLA, as well as many members of the Long Beach Chamber for a night of mixing and networking.


This event, like the recent WIN Dinner event was packed to capacity. Our Community Outreach Mixers are traditionally one of our most successful events with many members making contacts, developing leads and forging strong business relationships. Keep an eye on our calendar so you don't mix the next event.
pictured above:  LGLA and James Holchin, LAGLCC

LAGLCC and Long Beach CBN Form Membership Partnership

We have forged a strategic partnership with The Long Beach Community Business Network (LBCBN). All LAGLCC members may now attend any of the LBCBN mixers and educational programs at the same rate their members pay, rather than a higher non-member rate. 


The LBCBN is offering our members the opportunity to join them at the rate of $65 (for one year) rather than the usual $150, and we are offering LBCBN members the opportunity to join The LAGLCC as a VIP member at an introductory rate of $125 (for one year).  


As a result of this alliance we expect to see increased attendance at our mixers and events as we welcome the LBCBN membership. Through this and other partnerships with increasing numbers of LGBT and allied business organizations we increase our reach, our strength and our voice in Southern California.


Over the next few weeks, we'll begin to include event information on both our website and in our e-mail newsletter, and they'll be providing the same in return.


Links: http://www.lbcbn.com/

A Word From The Board - Steven Wishnoff

Last summer, I was introduced to the LAGLCC when I was asked if I would create and produce a Gala Award Show for the LAGLCC. I accepted that invitation and the rest is history. I was completely taken with the mission statement of this chamber. And the key phrase for me was "... GLBT and allied businesses."


In my work with the Television Academy's Diversity Committee, I strive to bring disparate people together all the time.  We can learn from each other, and benefit from our shared knowledge base, experience and resources.


This Chamber has an amazing potential that I am proud to be a part of. As I bring together the elements for our newsletter each week, I am always struck by how much the Chamber does, and breadth of its reach. 


Together we're a community that is a force to be reckoned with.


Feel free to drop me a line if you'd like to volunteer for our Marketing/Branding Committee, or if there is something I can do for you individually.


Steven Wishnoff
Board of Directors,
Chair of Marketing
Newsletter Editor

A Word From The Board - Doran Farnum

When I first learned about the Chamber and the wonderful outreach it provides throughout the greater Los Angeles area for the LGBT business community, I couldn't help but get involved.  Now in my second year on the Board, I've taken on the role of Corporate Partnership Committee Chair.  Along with my fellow chamber members, we reach out to LGBT and LGBT-friendly corporations who support us in our efforts and our mission.


As we move further into 2010 and as the economy begins to show signs of recovery, the LAGLCC continues its mission - an organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and gay-allied businesses, professionals, and individuals, who have joined together to effect positive growth in ourselves, our work, our community and our future.

With a new President at the helm of the LAGLCC as well as an innovative and forward thinking Board of Directors, we continue to bring the LGBT Business community the exposure it so deserves.  Together, as an organization and collectively with our corporate allies, we are a strong and powerful consumer market here in Southern California.  


Now is the time to show Southern California what it's like to do business with the LGBT community here in L.A.!


Doran Farnum
Board of Directors, LAGLCC

Board Member Highlight - JD DiSalvatore

I joined the Board of Directors of this wonderful organization because I wanted to encourage our LGBT community here in SoCal to support local gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses - especially after the shock of learning how many companies gave money to take away our rights during the Prop 8 battle. 


As we continue to fight for our rights to marry and serve in the military, it's as important as ever to take care of our own.  


And The Chamber does so much more than just advertising our business members - there are wonderful programs for up-and-coming LGBT entrepreneurs, great educational panels for sharing a wealth of knowledge in all areas including brand building, social networking and small business issues; monthly networking mixers; business breakfasts; and the program I started - Getting To Know You - which brings LGBT non profit advocacy and support organization in SoCal to the attention of local business owners. 


See you ALL at the next mixer.
Warmly,
jd DiSalvatore
Board of Directors, LAGLCC

Women's Counsel - New Name, New Chair

Andrea Meyerson, new Board Member of the LAGLCC, founder of Women On A Roll and President of All Out Films, is the Chair of the LAGLCC's newly created Women's Inspiration Network (WIN).


WIN provides the opportunity to meet, mingle and network with a group of dynamic women and hear from some inspiring speakers.


Maria's Italian Kitchen is the sponsor for the newly formed WIN! And this month our guest speaker will be Maddy Alfano, owner of the Maria's Italian Kitchen Chain. Maddy will share her incredible success story as a restaurateur and entrepreneur! Please join us at the launch and welcome Maria's to the Chamber!


The launch event is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 18th. There is a listing above in the Events at a Glance section of this newsletter, and more details can be found on the LAGLCC website.


WIN will meet for dinner the third Thursday of every month and alternate between three locations: West Los Angeles, Downtown Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.


click here for more information.