Monday, February 17, 2020 is a holiday and EDD offices will be closed.
Our Monday session moves to Tuesday, February 18 at 9:00 am.
President’s Day
Thank you!
Thank you, John Cruikshank, for your time speaking to SBPA on Monday. Your insights provided some new and fresh perspectives for our members.
Guest Speaker: John Cruikshank
On Monday, January 13, 2020 at 9:00 a.m., guest speaker John Cruikshank, President and CEO, JMC2 Civil Engineering & Surveying Okamoto Structural Engineering, will be joining us.
SBPA meetings are free and open to the public. Seating is limited to the first 45 people, so arrive early to secure your spot.
About John
I am a native Southern Californian born and raised in the beach cities of Los Angeles County. I grew up in El Segundo and graduated from ES High School leveraging my education and musical background to get into USC. There I studied civil engineering and played in the Trojan Marching Band.
Right out of college I worked for the public sector at Caltrans. Then, I left for the private sector where I worked for two different transportation design firms.
I have run my own engineering and surveying business since 1996 and have offices in the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, CA, and near John Wayne Airport in Costa Mesa, CA. I have used Sam Carpenter’s Work The System book and classes which have helped my business run better.
On Dec. 5, 2017, I was sworn in as Councilmember for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and still serve on the Board of Directors for the Harbor Association of Industry & Commerce (HAIC). On Dec. 4, 2018, I became Mayor Pro Tem which is an amazing honor.
I previously served as the Chair of the Rancho Palos Verdes Planning Commission where I served for four years.
I am always looking to build business relations with public agencies, contractors, and other design firms (architects, MEP, etc.) to pursue work in Southern California.
I hire staff that can learn quickly and work with confidence. My goal is to continually provide easy to follow and trouble-free solutions to all our clients.
I owe my early success to my parents, Janice and Jack Cruikshank, who helped guide me in the right direction. And I owe my continued success to my wife, Jennifer, who has never stopped believing in me.
Specialties: Structural and Civil engineering and Surveying: Storm water, Drones, A.L.T.A. surveys, Permit processing, 3D mapping, QSD/QSP, Utility plans, Master plans, Constructability reviews.
Guest Speaker: Liliana Ortiz
On Monday, December 2, 2019 at 9:00 a.m., guest speaker Liliana Ortiz of Torrance Adult School will join us to discuss her work as a Career Coordinator.
SBPA meetings are free and open to the public. Seating is limited to the first 45 people, so arrive early to secure your spot.
About Liliana
Liliana Ortiz is currently a Career Coordinator at Torrance Adult School where she works with the Student Support Services Team to assist adults from various backgrounds and with barriers to employment to transition into the next phase of their career or into career training. She previously worked at the California Department of Business Oversight supporting the Franchise and Securities Division, and at a local non-profit assisting students prepare for the workforce.
Guest Speakers: Michael S. Oden and Alina J. Ugas
On Monday, October 21, 2019 at 9:00 a.m., guest speakers Michael Oden and Alina Ugas will join us to discuss Life Transition.
SBPA meetings are free and open to the public. Seating is limited to the first 45 people, so arrive early to secure your spot.
About Michael and Alina
Michael S. Oden is a Behavioral and Communication Expert, inspirational speaker, trainer and workshop facilitator. Founder of Final Step International and its trademark technique, The Needs Based Method®. He is an expert in behavior who for the past 20 years as a probation officer has helped thousands of clients (adults and teens) who struggle with abuse, low self-esteem, poor performance, addiction, or unhealthy relationships, turn their lives around.
Alina Ugas is a Business and Communication Mentor and Co-founder of Final Step International and its trademark technique, The Needs Based Method®. With over 35 years’ experience in the health care, mental health and business sector, Alina, a Neuro Linguistic Programming® Practitioner, National Certified Recovery Coach, motivational speaker, workshop facilitator and trainer, has always had a passion for helping others discover their “Why” or their emotional decisions and self-destructive behaviors that prevent them from reaching their highest potential.
This dynamic combination of experiences makes Michael and Alina an exceptional team. Alina’s experience in business management and Michael’s knowledge from the psycho-social behavioral component gives participants a closer look at how their business can run more efficiently and decrease employee turn around and friction on the job. By teaching the business owner how to better communicate with employees, as well as, with the clients, these new tools will increase productivity and generate a harmonious work environment.
By offering people practical tools to take with them and to apply this method to any situation will empower those individuals to transform their lives. The Need Based Method® is a cutting-edge thinking, learning and communication style process that reduces conflict & connects people to live a purposeful life.
GUEST SPEAKER: Roger Casas
On Monday, October 7, 2019 at 9:00 a.m., guest speaker Roger Casas will join us discuss his experience as an entrepreneur, business owner, and former President of our own South Bay Professional Association.
SBPA meetings are free and open to the public. Seating is limited to the first 45 people, so arrive early to secure your spot.
About Roger Casas
I own and operate Minuteman Press in Carson CA, a full-service printing center.
When it comes to business communications services, we can do it all. With a complete range of products and services at your disposal, we can help you get your message out to customers, employees and vendors alike.
Using the latest printing and document management technology, we handle your projects from start to finish. Our energetic and experienced staff is dedicated to delivering what you need, when you need it.
About Me:
I have been active professionally in visual media production and its delivery of for over 20 years producing educational videos, television commercials, designing graphics for retail packaging and its marketing.
Specialties: Design sensibility and marketing expertise for effective promotional impact.
Networking Lunch at Panera
Our Labor Day session was moved to Tuesday, Sept. 3. We continued with a networking lunch at Panera Bread. Jump start your job search by joining us on Monday, Sept. 9 at South Bay One-Stop Business & Career Centers at 9am for our next regularly scheduled meeting and training.
Labor Day Update
Because Monday, Sept. 2 is a holiday, the South Bay 1 Stop Business & Career Center (1220 Engracia Ave, Torrance, CA 90501) will be closed. We are moving our Monday meeting to Tuesday, Sept. 3. at 9:00am.
Following the first hour of our session, our meeting will move to Panera Bread (2733 CA-1 Suite A, Torrance, CA 90505). So join us for a social networking session over brunch.
GUEST SPEAKER: Deborah Goldfarb
On Monday, August 19, 2019 at 9:00 a.m., guest speaker Deborah Goldfarb will join us discuss her experience as an entrepreneur and marketing consultant.
SBPA meetings are free and open to the public. Seating is limited to the first 45 people, so arrive early to secure your spot.
About Deborah Goldfarb
For the last 25 years, Debbie Goldfarb has owned a small consulting firm focusing on strategic planning, market research, training and providing marketing programs.
Ms. Goldfarb is a well-respected marketing and branding consultant and has worked with small businesses (Posner Fine Art, Performance RX, Brody-Pennell) and large businesses (Capital One, Wells Fargo, Farmers Insurance) alike. She specializes in well-thought-out, researched multi-channel strategies to ensure ROI and brand strength.
In 2017, Debbie founded BCU Works as a small branding and consulting boutique shop located in Culver City. Under the BCU Works Banner—Debbie provides strategic brainpower and agency quality work “the bigs” get for “the smalls”.
Most recently Debbie joined SBDC (Small Business Development Center) as a Business Advisor to help small business owners start, launch, fund, and manage their business.
Thank You, Tanya Pluckrose
A big THANK YOU to Tanya Pluckrose, author, entrepreneur, and selling strategist, for visiting SBPA on Monday, July 22, 2019. Her insights and wisdom inspired everyone with her 10-step principles of accomplishment.
Visit her website for more on The Art of Selling:
https://www.tanyapluckrose.com/
SBPA 
You must be logged in to post a comment.