Message from Chairman

am pleased to report that in 2003 VICA continued to be

the preeminent non-profit, non-partisan business

advocacy organization in our region. It was a great honor

to be Chairman of this highly respected and extremely

effective organization.

As an organization dedicated to advocating on behalf of our more than 300

member companies, VICA knows that the continuing health of our business

community is of vital importance to our region. The growth and vitality of

business is a cornerstone of our society, and in that spirit VICA continued in

2003 to represent our members in an effort to help shape the future of the San

Fernando Valley.

Throughout the year, VICA’s dedicated committee members selected,

studied and took positions on legislation that would impact business.

We advocated strongly in public forums, in the media, and in quiet meetings

with elected officials. We took our advocacy directly to the decision makers in

City Hall, in Sacramento and in Washington, D.C. And we brought our members and the decision makers together at

public events and at our highly acclaimed Annual Business Forecast Conference.

VICA’s aggressive “Ax the Tax” campaign has put a bright light on the Los Angeles City Business Tax and has

resulted in substantial reforms which will greatly benefit the Los Angeles business community. VICA led a city-wide

coalition of business groups in achieving a substantial simplification of the business tax filing categories, single

category filing, and relief from past due taxation. We set the stage for the 25% tax reduction proposal which is now

pending before the City Council. While we still believe that the elimination of the City of Los Angeles Gross Receipts

Tax is necessary in order to make the City attractive to new and growing businesses, it is clear that the reforms which

have been made are the result of VICA’s great efforts on this issue.

We also take great pride in our role in the statewide campaign to support Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposals

for workers’ compensation reform. While much work remains to be done in this area, our members, and other

businesses around the state, are already seeing results in the form of lower workers’ compensation premiums and a

streamlined benefits system.

In these lean times for state and local government, VICA’s role in insuring that the Valley gets its fair share of

crucial transportation, education and other infrastructure funding has never been more important. Our ongoing

communications with our State legislators and Federal representatives have kept the San Fernando Valley at the top

of the list for these crucial long term investment projects.

VICA could not function without the active involvement of our Board of Directors, Committee Co-Chairs, Officers

and Staff. I am grateful for their incredible abilities and efforts. Thank you to all our members. Your support is the

linchpin of our successful advocacy agenda. Please peruse this report and do not hesitate to contact VICA with any

questions or comments that you may have.

FRED GAINES, 2003-04

A N N U A L • R E P O R T

IContents

2Leadership: Board

Leadership: Officers

VICA Year in Review

3Financial Data

4Leadership:

Committee Co-Chairs

Positions Taken byCommittees

VICA5121 Van Nuys Boulevard

Suite 203

Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

www.vica.com

818.817.0545

Mission

VICA’s mission is to

encourage and enhance

the economic vitality of the

greater San Fernando Valley

region by advocating

on behalf of its

business community.

ACCESSVICA provides members ample

opportunities for ACCESS to

elected officials in 2003

• Local Issues hosts a Candidates

Forum for City Council candidates

in L.A.’s Districts 6 and 12.

• Former Congressional Member

James Coyne addressed VICA’s

aviation community about the sta-

tus of business aviation, the impact

of 9/11 and communities across

the nation’s objections to general

aviation while demanding easier

access to airports.

• VICA congratulated

Hal Bernson for his long career as

a City Councilman at a luncheon

in March.

• The State Issues Committee

hosted their annual State Elected

Officials Dinner to discuss issues

impacting regional business.

• L.A. City Controller Laura Chick

presents the State of the City’s

Finances to Local Issues

Committee, April 2003.

• Mayor Hahn’s Business Team

rep, Jonathan Kevles, addresses

VICA’s Local Issues Committee

members.

• L.A. City Attorney Rocky

Delgadillo addresses VICA and

Economic Alliance members at

reception in April.

• Dep’t. of Building & Safety

General Manager Andrew

Adelman addresses the

May General Membership

Luncheon audience.

• VICA provides access to MWD’s

Inspection Tours through its

President, Bonny Herman.

• VICA organizes June workshop

to explain status of alternatives

to the Gross Receipts Tax, a tax

VICA is working to reduce and

eventually eliminate.

• The Local Issues Committee

hosts its annual Elected Officials

Luncheon with a great turnout of

elected officials, staff and sponsors

• A New Member Reception

and Luncheon in August was held

at former Radisson Hotel.

• The Land Use Committee host-

ed an informative meeting on

issue of Inclusionary Housing.

• Former Marketing Rep

of Southwest Airlines,

Anastasia Albanese O’Neil,

presented Southwest Airline’s

unique success story and

concerns about impact of

LAX Master Plan.

• The Workers’ Compensation

Reform Subcommittee held

many small meetings with

Sen. Richard Alarcón,

Sen. Charles Poochigian,

Assembly Member

Keith Richman and Insurance

Commissioner John Garamendi

on various iterations of reform

during the arduous process in 2003.

• Other special committee

agendas included discussions on

solid waste disposal; the

reorganization of the L.A. Police

Department; Charter School

development; SCAG’s

Destination 2030 Plan;

contracting with the City of L.A.;

a how to lobby effectively

workshop; status of the

county’s trauma care facilities;

and special event with

Senator Dianne Feinstein.

EVENTSSPECIALS EVENTS provide

access to officials and

networking with top

business executives in VICA

• The Environment, Infrastructure

& Water Committee plan and host-

2 0 0 3 Y E A R I N R E V I E W

Leadership:

Directors

• Bruce Ackerman - Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley

• Jill Banks Barad - Jill Barad & Assoc.• Roberto Barragan -

Valley Economic Development Center• Adriana D. Barrera - L.A. Mission College• Glen Becerra - So. Cal. Edison• Robert C. Bills -

Valley Presbyterian Hospital• Jane Boeckmann - Galpin Motors, Inc.• Brandon Bogeaus - Mercantile Ntl. Bank• John Bradley - The Boeing Company• Darrell Brown - Wells Fargo Bank • Carolyn Casavan -

West Coast Enviromental & Engineering• Martin M. Cooper -

Cooper Communications, Inc.• Hal Dash - Cerrell Associates, Inc.• C. T. DeCinces -

C. T. DeCinces Construction • Harvey Englander - The MWW Group• Fred Evans -

California State University, Northridge• David Fleming - Latham & Watkins• Fred Gaines - Gaines & Stacey LLP• James Garrison -

Pacific Federal Insurance Corp.• Julie Gertler -

Consensus Planning Group• Sandy Goldman - BFI, Inc.• Sue Gornick -

New Hampshire Ball Bearing, Inc. • David Grannis -

Planning Company Associates, Inc.• Larry G. Gray - SEC Civil Engineers, Inc.• James L. Greene - RSM McGladrey, Inc.• Billie Greer - Greer/Dailey/Minter• Ira Handelman - Handelman Consulting, Inc. • Marianne Haver Hill - M.E.N.D.• Bonny Herman - VICA • Robert Hertzberg -

Mayer, Brown, Rowe and Maw• Joan Hoffman -

Dorbritz Hoffman Architects• Ross Hopkins - Ross B. Hopkins & Assoc.• Randy Howard -

L.A. Dept. of Water & Power• David Iwata - LD2 Marketing Group• Eric Joss -

Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP• Richard Katz - Richard Katz Consulting• Arnold Kawasaki -

Soka University of America• Bruce Keeler -

Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. • Dorena Knepper -

California State University, Northridge• Jolene Koester -

California State University, Northridge• Mel Kohn - Kirsch, Kohn & Bridge LLP• Tom Komp - The HELP Group• Larry Krutchik - The Edison Group• David Levinsohn -

Sherman Oaks Hospital

2 • V I C A 2 0 0 3 A n n u a l r e p o r t

Andrew Adelman,General Mgr. of theDep’t. of Building &Safety, on permits.

Mayor Hahn gives his “State of the Valley”speech at VICA's 54th Annual Meeting.

Welcome to the 15th Annual Business Forecast Conference, by Grand Sponsor Vince Liuzzi of Wells Fargo.

Jolene Koester,President, CSUNspeaks at DistinguishedSpeakers Series.

Council Member Zinemakes his point.

L.A. City ControllerLaura Chick, speaks toour Local IssuesCommittee.

Leadership: VICA Officers

Chairman of the Board• Fred Gaines -

Managing Partner, Gaines & Stacey LLP

Executive Vice Chairman• Martin M. Cooper - APR, President,

Cooper Communications, Inc.

Vice Chairmen of AdvocacyGovernment Organization• Robert L. Scott -

Attorney, CivicCenter GroupInfrastructure• Richard Katz -

Owner, Richard Katz ConsultingPermit Streamlining• Tom McCarty -

President, The McCarty Co., LLCTax Relief• Mel Kohn -

Partner, Kirsch Kohn & Bridge LLP

Vice Chairman, Leadership• Pegi Matsuda - Publisher, San Fernando

Valley Business Journal

Vice Chairman, Membership• James L. Greene - Director, Business

Development, RSM McGladrey, Inc.

Vice Chairmen, Programs• Sandy Goldman -

Director of Public Affairs, BFI, Inc.• Jacque McMillan -

Principal Legislative Representative, Metropolitan Water District

• Robert Pearlman - Partner, BDO Seidman

Treasurer• Peter Satuloff - President, Anderson,

Satuloff, Machado & Mendelsohn

Immediate Past Chairman• Cathy Maguire -

Public Affairs Manager, The Gas Company

President & CEO• Bonny L. Herman - CAE

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

ed a Water Forum dealing with

supply, quality and reliability.

• VICA brings annual delegation

to Washington, DC, May 4-7. Best

meetings included those with

Senators Boxer and Feinstein,

Deputy Assistant Interior Secretary

Bennett Railey and the kick-off

breakfast with Doyle MacManus

and reporters at the Los Angeles

Times, Washington Bureau office.

• Annual Golf Tournament at

Robinson’s Ranch brings out 100

golfers and raises $13,000 for

VICA’s advocacy efforts.

AWARDSVICA AWARDS its members at

various high-profile events

throughout the year

• Bob Scott, prominent VICA

officer, is named Fernando Award

winner in 2003.

• Alan Ungar is named VICA’s

Harmon Ballin Award honoree.

• Washington Mutual’s rep

Peter Villegas hands off

Robert E. Gibson Award to

2003 honoree Verizon, accepted

by LaVerne Davis accompanied by

VICA Chairman Fred Gaines and

President Bonny Herman.

Excellence in Business Advocacy

Honorees include:

• Achievement in the Not

for Profit Organization Award

Valley Community Clinic

• Volunteer Advocate Mel Kohn

• Small Business

Achievement Award

Lever, Lippe, Hellie & Russell

• Large Business

Achievement Award

AirTel Plaza Hotel

• VICA Volunteer

of the Year Award

Martin M. Cooper

2 0 0 3 Y E A R I N R E V I E W

• Steven W. Lew - Consultant• Greg Lippe -

Lever, Lippe, Hellie & Russell LLP• Cal Lockett - WellPoint Health Networks• Joe Lucente - Fenton Ave. Charter School• Cathy Maguire - The Gas Company• Pegi Matsuda - SFV Business Journal• Tom McCarty -

The McCarty Company LLC• Jacque McMillan -

Metropolitan Water District• George Minter - Greer/Dailey/Minter• Donald Miod - Miod & Co. • Mike Mizrahi - The Gas Company• Walter Mosher Jr., Ph.D. -

Precision Dynamics Corporation • Scott Murphy - AmeriTel, Inc. • Randall Neudeck -

Metropolitan Water District• Ann O’Connor - Universal Studios, Inc.• Anastasia O’Neil - Southwest Airlines• Sanford Paris - Paris Industrial Parks• Francis Park - Latham & Watkins• Robert Pearlman - BDO Seidman LLP• Lisa Pitney - The Walt Disney Co.• James Polish - Carlsmith Ball• Ben Reznik -

Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro• Robert L. Rodine - The Polaris Group• Jesse Rosas - Rosas & Associates• Judi Rose - Valley Community Clinic• Irwin Rosenberg -

Laidlaw Transit Services, Inc. • Brad Rosenheim - Rosenheim & Assoc.• Norman Ross - Delon Hampton & Assoc.• Frank Salas - L.A. Dept. of Water & Power• Dan Sandel -

Sandel Medical Industries, LLC• Peter J. Satuloff - Anderson, Satuloff,

Machado & Mendelsohn• Gail Schaper-Gordon -

Win-Win Workplace Solutions• Bob Scott - CivicCenter Group• Marvin Selesnick -

Selesnick & Weissman, LLP• Marvin R. Selter - CMS, Inc.• Stuart M. Solomon -

Transcon Property Services • Rod Spackman - ChevronTexaco, Corp. • Roger Stanard -

Law Office of Roger Stanard• George Stavaris -

Colliers Seeley International, Inc. • Dale Surowitz - Encino Tarzana

Regional Medical Center• Ralph Tarr - Andrews Kurth LLP• Alan B. Ungar, CFP -

Critical Capital Management• Francisco Uribe - Verizon • Larry Venema - Automobile Club of So. Cal.• Peter Villegas - Washington Mutual • Michael Wall -

Northridge Hospital Medical Center • Tyree Wieder, Ed.D. - L.A. Valley College• Mel Wilson - Re/Max Centre• Gary Yomantas -

New Hampshire Ball Bearing, Inc.• Rocky Young - L.A. Pierce College

V I C A 2 0 0 3 A n n u a l r e p o r t • 3

50%

18%

13%

6%

6%

3% 3%1%

Dues Net BFCNet Awards GalaOther Revenue SourcesNet Other Meetings IncomeNet Golf TournamentAnnual MeetingVoluntary Donations

2003 Revenues

65%

14%

7%

7%

5% 2%

SalariesGeneral Office ExpenseRentInsurancePublicityDepreciation

2003 Expenses

L.A. City CouncilmanDennis Zine and LA,Inc. President MarkLiberman at BFC.

Environment, Infrastructue & Water Committeemembers discuss solid waste issue with repsfrom the City and County.

Senator Feinstein takes a moment to honor ourLocal Community Leaders for their hard workand dedication to the Valley.

Fred Gaines presentsthe Robert E. GibsonAward to LaverneDavis of Verizon.

David Iwata withLAPD's finest -Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell.

“How to LobbyEffectively” Class of 2003.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Board of Directors

• Richman-Canciamilla 2003

State Budget Compromise

• East-West Busway

Accessory Package

Communications and

Entertainment

• Wireless Phone Number Take-Back

• Anti-Spam Legislation (SB 12)

• Film Permit Quid Pro Quo

(AB 1478)

• Council member Miscikowski’s

Motion re: Neighborhood

Councils & Filming Permits

• Digital Piracy (HR 2752)

Education

• Los Angeles Community

College Bond Measure

(Prop AA)

Environment,

Infrastructure

& Water

• CEQA Amendments (AB 406)

• California 21st Century

Infrastructure Investment Fund

(Prop 53)

• Traditional Tribal Cultural Sites

(SB 18)

Federal and

State Issues

• Federal Tax Legislation Procedure

• Manufacturers’ Investment

Credit (AB 473)

• Support of California

SBDC Funding

• Federal Economic

Stimulus Proposals

• Private Contracting Services

(SB 163)

• Adult Day Health Care

• Creation of State Earned

Income Tax Credit (SB 224)

• FDA Proposed Bar Code Rule

• Ridley Thomas (AB 1643)

• Federal Income Tax Cuts

• Local Homeland Security

Funding for Cities

• Licensing Health Plan

Administrators (AB 1431)

• Drivers Licenses (SB 60)

• California State Budget

FY 2003-04

• S Corporation Taxation (SB 516)

• Local General Income Tax

(AB 1690)

• Class Action Fairness Act

of 2003 (S 274)

• San Fernando Valley

Statistical District (7/15/03)

• Capital Facilities fees (AB 1051)

• Permanent Extension of the

Research and Development Tax

Credit (HR 463/S 664)

• Leasehold Improvement

Depreciation Period

(HR 1634/S 576)

• Proposition 56 - Budget

Accountability Act

• Unfair Competition Law Reform

Health Care

• Association Health Plans

(HR 660 and S.545)

• HMO Reform

(HR 2990 and S.1344)

• Patient Safety & Quality

Improvement Act (HR 663)

• Medical Liability Reform

• Recommendation for

Medicare Reform (Update)

• Healthcare Coverage (SB 2)

• Inspections and Hospital Taxes:

Nurse-to-Patient Ratios (SB 1005)

• Fines: Nurse-to-Patient Ratios

(AB 253)

Land Use

• Large Retail Stores

• Sanitation Equipment and

Sewer Service Charge

Rate Increases

• Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance

• Community Impact Reports

• Rent Stabilization Ordinance -

Major Rehabilitation Program

Local Issues

• TeamWork LA Government

Organization Plan

• Los Angeles Community

College Bond Measure

(Proposition AA)

• Timing of City Elections

Transportation

• MTA Employee Relations

(AB 199)

• MTA Reserves (AB 1720)

• Camera-Light Programs

(AB 1022)

• LAX Master Plan

• Tidelands Trust

Charter Amendment

Workers’ Compensation

Reform Sub-committee

• Workers’ Compensation -

State of Affairs

• Workers’ Compensation

Reform Package 2003

• Workers’ Compensation -

Further Reform

2 0 0 3 P O S I T I O N S T A K E N B Y C O M M I T T E E S

Leadership:

Committee

Co-Chairs

Communications & Ent.• Greg Lippe, Lever, Lippe,

Hellie & Russell LLP• Scott Murphy, AmeriTel, Inc.

Education • Gail Schaper-Gordon,

Win-Win Workplace Solutions

Environment, Infrastructure & Water • Carolyn Casavan, West Coast

Environmental & Engineering• Sue Gornick,

New Hampshire Ball Bearings, Inc.• Randall Neudeck,

Metropolitan Water District

Federal & State Issues• Glen Becerra,

Southern California Edison • Sandy Goldman, BFI, Inc.• George Minter,

Greer/Dailey/Minter• Ralph Tarr, Andrews Kurth, LLP

Healthcare, Insurance/HRWorkers’ Compensation• David Levinsohn,

Sherman Oaks Hospital • Cal Lockett,

WellPoint Health Networks, Inc.

Workers’ CompensationReform Subcommittee• Carole Gallien, West Hills Hospital • Harvey Berg, ACI Billing Services, Inc.• Greg Lippe, Lever, Lippe,

Hellie & Russell LLP

Land Use • Ira Handelman,

Handelman Consulting, Inc. • Brad Rosenheim,

Rosenheim & Associates

Local Issues • David Iwata, LD2 Marketing Group • George Stavaris,

Colliers Seeley International, Inc.

Membership • James L. Greene, RSM McGladrey, Inc.

Transportation• David Grannis,

Planning Company Associates, Inc. • Robert Rodine, The Polaris Group

4 • V I C A 2 0 0 3 A n n u a l r e p o r t

Mayor Hahn and Fred Gaines stop for a photo opp.

The winning team of VICA’s 5th Annual Golf Tournament, Rich Siveno, Bob Pearlmanand Fred Gaines.

Bonny Herman, Fred Gaines, Mel Kohn and Lisa Pitney celebrate Mel Kohn’s win as the Volunteer Advocate at the 3rd AnnualExcellence in Business Awards and Gala.

Los Angeles City Council Members speak to VICA at the Annual Local Elected Officials Luncheon.

Billie Greer and LarryGray help plan the“How to LobbyEffectively” Workshop.