SCV's Top 51 Most Influential 2023

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Table of Contents PAGE 7 No. 1

PAGE 22 Kathryn Barger

PAGE 8

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No. 2

Ken Striplin

No. 3

Larry Rasmussen

No. 25 Mark Blazer No. 26 David Hegg No. 27 Bill Cooper

PAGE 24

No. 4

Jason Gibbs

No. 28 Jim Backer No. 29 Carrie Lujan No. 30 Lance Williams

No. 5

Mike Garcia

No. 6

Scott Wilk

PAGE 26

PAGE 10

No. 7

Laurene Weste

No. 31 Bob Jensen No. 32 Gary Martin No. 33 Dale Donohoe

From the Publisher

No. 8

Joe Messina

PAGE 28

No. 9

Pilar Schaivo

Santa Clarita is a great place to live. One of the safest and finest cities to live in America. The biggest reason is because of its people.

We have literally thousands of people making a difference every day and making Santa Clarita a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. First responders, Teachers, Hospital workers, City workers, Clerks, Office workers, the list goes on and on, literally thousands contribute to the community. And I thank you all, but on these pages are 51 extraordinary people that in the opinion of the Signal have the greatest impact on our valley. The “Top 51 Most Influential,” the tip of the spear and I especially thank them with this recognition.

As in years past, this is not a science and you may disagree with one or even all the people on this list, and that’s fine, we encourage disagreement and debate but in the Opinion of The Signal, these ARE the “ 51 Most Influential “ in our city in 2023, helping to make this valley a great place to live.

Congratulations to you all and especially the twelve new members.

You will be receiving an invitation to a luncheon in your honor to be held on November 16th.

PAGE 14

No. 34 Gloria Mercado Fortine No. 35 Cherise Moore No. 36 Todd Stevens

PAGE 12

Richard Budman

Signal Publisher/Owner 6 · Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal

No. 10 Cameron Smyth No. 11 Mike Kuhlman

PAGE 30

PAGE 16

No. 37 Marlee Lauffer No. 38 Stephanie English No. 39 Cary Quashen

No. 13 Bill Miranda

PAGE 32

No. 12 Justin Diez

No. 14 Randy Wrage

PAGE 17

No. 40 Maria Gutzeit No. 41 Kathy Norris No. 42 Don Fleming

No. 16 John Shaffery

PAGE 34

No. 15 Frank Oviedo

No. 17 Dianne Van Hook No. 18 Marsha McLean

PAGE 18 No. 19 Hunt Braly

No. 43 Calvin Hedman No. 44 Patrick Moody No. 45 Ivan Volschenk

PAGE 36

No. 21 Wayne Crawford

No. 46 Patsy Ayala No. 47 Michael Delorenzo No. 48 Mitzi Like

PAGE 20

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No. 22 Don Kimball No. 23 John Musella

No. 49 Anna Griese No. 50 Di Thompson

No. 24 Jon Hatami

No. 51 Kevin Strauss

No. 20 Jason Crawford

“Fifth District County Supervisor Kathryn Barger is often the lone voice of reason on the Board of Supervisors, but she works with the other supervisors to deliver amazing results as an incredible advocate for Santa Clarita Valley residents. Representing more than 2 million Angelenos in 20 cities across 2,500 square miles, the SCV is lucky to have her on our side.”

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner Ever since Fifth District voters first sent Barger to downtown Los Angeles as their representative in 2016, she has done an amazing job representing LA County residents. She hit the ground running because she had lots of experience responding to Fifth District residents concerns as the chief of staff for her predecessor, Michael Antonovich. Her ability to be so effective in her advocacy for local residents Is one of the reasons why voters elected her in a landslide, and why they should do so again in November when she’s back on the ballot.

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Kathryn Barger

A great recent example of this is the brand new Vista Canyon Multi-Modal Transit Center that will add much-needed additional transportation options for local commuters.

While Barger has advocated on behalf of those who live throughout the expansive 2,785-square-mile stretch that is the 5th District, which touches borders with three different counties, includes 20 cities and 63 unincorporated areas — she has always kept a careful lookout for SCV residents.

She works tirelessly on the community’s most important issues and biggest needs, including mental health resources, veteran services and public safety. Whether LA County officials are going after “vanlords” who are exploiting some of the county’s most vulnerable residents or targeting smash-and-grab robberies that have left business owners frustrated and looking to leave the state, Barger is usually the one leading the charge on authoring or co-authoring a motion.

One of the true signs of quality

leadership is how someone responds when their people really need them, which was the case recently when the state looked to re-align its juvenile justice system in a plan that would have turned two closed juvenile detention camps in Saugus into a higher-security facility that would house the county’s most violent male youth offenders age 18 to 24. Listening to the calls from the nearby community that pointed to the unnecessary cost and public safety concerns, Barger had the plan sent back to the drawing board and once again fought for a better outcome for our residents.

She’s also someone who’s helped raise awareness about the concerns the community has with policies from the District Attorney’s office that have made people less safe, and she’s said so in no uncertain terms.

Barger has helped bring more resources to support our veterans both here and in the neighboring valleys where they’ve been proven to be able to make a big difference in helping

those who have served, a transition to successful careers in the civilian sector after they leave the armed forces.

Barger also achieved additional funding to help residents who might need mental health support or addiction treatment help.

It’s hard to find a local project that hasn’t benefited significantly from Barger’s LA County support, whether that’s the SCV Bella Vida Senior Center, the new Sheriff’s Station, a new permanent homeless shelter and many others that residents are able to take advantage of every day.

She also regularly earns endorsements from a wide range of her constituents that reaches across both sides of the aisle and represents a myriad of interests and concerns, from law enforcement unions to local environmental groups.

But it’s 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s nonstop commitment to the SCV that earns her the top spot on this year’s most influential list.

Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal 7

Ken Striplin “There’s no better place to live, work and raise a family than the city of Santa Clarita, and one of the biggest reason for that is City Manager Ken Striplin, who’s been a leader at City Hall after working his way up through the ranks of every department since joining the city in 1996.”

— Richard Budman

Signal Publisher/Owner Striplin’s recent honor from the International City/County Management Association for Career Excellence is a perfect demonstration of the respect he’s earned far beyond the city’s borders for his work on Santa Clarita’s behalf. As someone who’s led a number of different departments throughout the city, an award-winning legacy for Striplin can be seen throughout City Hall and the city.

That’s because Striplin worked his way up through the ranks at City Hall, filling whatever role was needed as he guided the city through its planning processes, grant applications, the response to a pandemic, multiple wildfires, flooding and just about anything else that could happen in managing the third-largest city in Los Angeles County. Some of the milestones the city has accomplished while Striplin has been in the number one or two leadership positions over the

last two decades in Santa Clarita, is pretty impressive: The completion of the brand new Vista Canyon transit center, the new Sheriff’s Station on Centre Pointe Parkway, the Cross-Valley Connector, the continuing expansion of Central Park, an interim and then permanent, Canyon Country Community Center, the revitalization of Old Town Newhall and there’s so much more. The city’s accomplishments include topnotch facilities that are always growing in number to match residents’ demand and events for community members to understand what’s going on, whether that’s through the city hosting a parent symposium, a town hall or an informational meeting, like when there was a new area plan for the Valencia mall.

Striplin is a regular at nonprofit functions and has served on the board for the Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer and the Santa Clarita Valley YMCA. He’s also served as trustee president of the 2019-20 California City Managers Foundation Board of Trustees. Residents of the city of Santa Clarita are lucky to have such a dedicated public servant who works so hard to promote their best interests and improve our way of life every day.

8 · Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal

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Larry Rasmussen “Developer Larry Rasmussen of Spirit Properties has helped shape the Santa Clarita Valley with his professional accomplishments creating a legacy that will last forever. He has also made generous donations to most, if not all, of the non-profits in the SCV. His influence shapes what happens in the Santa Clarita Valley much more than most people could even realize.”

— Richard Budman

Signal Publisher/Owner Rasmussen helped build the SCV with a legacy and footprint that can be seen in all directions, literally. He helped build Golden Valley High School and Golden Valley Road in the middle of the SCV, he also made the Cross-Valley Connector possible. And then to help people truly appreciate the nature that surrounds the development, he constructed trails that went along with the projects. A perfect example of how he’s a great community builder is his work in the Golden Valley area which has the hallmarks of his construction all over it — great building, responsible infrastructure and a beautiful setting. His decades of experience have resulted in many of these types of quality projects throughout the SCV, including the expansive Centre Pointe Parkway Business Park, which has around 3-mil-

lion-square feet of development and acts as a marketplace, hub and home to a number of local businesses. It’s also the school district’s headquarters, which he also helped construct. He’s been a longtime ally of local K-12 school districts, and the colleges as well, with significant contributions throughout the Canyon Country and Valencia campuses of College of the Canyons, and in typical Rasmussen fashion, he seeks no limelight or recognition for his generosity. His family’s support is also one of the big reasons why we have a beautiful new senior center. He’s also advocated for more roadway funding, which has helped the area grow and thrive. As president of Spirit Properties, Rasmussen has lent his knowledge and experience to the SCV Economic Development Corp., where he’s served as a member of its governing board. There are so many examples of the way Rasmussen has used his business expertise, resources and support to bring the community beautiful facilities it can be proud of, but one of the most recent ones really stands out: Castaic High School will provide opportunities for students in a growing part of the community for decades. It’s a state-of-theart masterpiece and a huge investment in the future of the SCV that will no doubt pay dividends for generations to come.

Congratulates Santa Clarita’s

TOP

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Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal 9

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Jason Gibbs

Mike Garcia

Scott Wilk

“Santa Clarita Mayor Jason Gibbs might be the newest member of the City Council, but since his election he’s proven himself to be a natural fit in a leadership role, someone who’s been thoughtful and considerate in his decision-making and dealings with the public. As an ardent advocate for the city, we are lucky to have him on the council.”

“Congressman Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita, represents the Santa Clarita Valley with distinction in our nation’s capital, a longtime resident and business executive with experience in industry, public service, Military and family life that make him an excellent leader for the region as he understands what’s important to our valley, the district and the country.”

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner

“Sen. Scott Wilk has been a leader for the Santa Clarita Valley for more than a dozen years, someone who works to make it a better place to live each day for all of us, whether it’s through his work to support College of the Canyons, SCV Water or the region through his Senate office.”

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner Gibbs is a business man and a politician who’s become truly immersed in the Santa Clarita Valley’s development over the last handful of years.

His volunteerism and willingness to roll up his sleeves and tackle tough problems shows what can happen when pragmatism meets the political arena with a can-do attitude. In his business life, Gibbs is the senior principal engineer of West Coast operations for GP Strategies Corporation, where he has supported a number of rocket launches. He has done all this while raising a family with a wife and two children. Gibbs doesn’t act like a political operative, he knows how to speak earnestly and with a message that always seems to connect with the public. Since joining the city’s leadership right after the pandemic started in 2020, Gibbs has remained committed to the massive job at hand. During his first term as mayor, Gibbs has consistently demonstrated patience and wisdom, leading the city to add transformational development projects, transit resources that will help for decades and planning that’s going to positively impact the city’s future.

10 · Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal

Like any good leader, service has been a constant theme for Garcia. He worked for Raytheon after finishing his enlistment as a highly decorated United States Naval Officer, he then decided to run for Congress. In just a few short years, he’s shown himself to be capable in the political arena, as well, already making strides with his work on bills that have supported families, veterans and small-business owners. These are just a few of the areas that are important to his constituents who sent him to Washington. Garcia serves on three House committees in Congress where he works on behalf of the SCV — the House Committee on Appropriations; House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. He’s sponsored or co-sponsored countless pieces of legislation through his work in those committees, making progress in the areas most important to him, such as jobs, the economy, Veterans, national security and education. As new challenges arose, such as the pandemic and then the nation’s recovery, Garcia has been an effective voice in the federal government for local residents of all walks of life.

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner Earlier this year, Wilk was able to announce an achievement that he’s been working on for years, legislation that will force the State Water Board to publicly notice a hearing for a permit application by a mining company that’s seeking to turn Soledad Canyon into the largest mine in North America. Wilk is doing what he can to fight the effort on behalf of the community as he has since he was first elected to the Santa Clarita Community College District’s governing board, and then the California State Assembly and now the state Senate.

He’s earned the respect of his peers on both sides of the aisle as the leader of the Senate’s Republican caucus, which has allowed him to pass important legislation on behalf of SCV residents. One of Wilk’s most important legislative accomplishments continues to be a part of his legacy today — Senate Bill 634. This bill consolidated a number of local water districts into one that serves the entire SCV, creating efficiencies and better management for ratepayers and water users.

Congratulations, Top 51!

Your leadership has an incredible impact in our Santa Clarita Valley communities.

@SupervisorBarger @KathrynBarger @SupervisorKathrynBarger KathrynBarger.LACounty.gov

, e ! r e o r c o n E Enc Congratulations to the Remarkable Top 51!

25th We are thrilled to applaud and celebrate the remarkable achievement of the Top 51 who have earned the prestigious title of “Most Top51!”

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Laurene Weste

Joe Messina

Pilar Schiavo

“Santa Clarita City Council member Laurene Weste has been an important part of the way the city has revitalized Newhall, expanded its parks system and continued to be a great place to live and raise a family through her decades of commitment to her hometown. Santa Clarita residents are better off for her years of work on their behalf.”

“William S. Hart Union High School District board member Joe Messina has been a dedicated advocate for local students and creating educational opportunities for the Santa Clarita Valley’s next generation of leaders and was key in helping a high school finally get built in Castaic.”

“In just her first year in office, Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, D-Santa Clarita, has already successfully authored significant legislation on behalf of the Santa Clarita Valley, and she’s quickly proved herself to be a dedicated representative for her constituents.”

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner The city of Santa Clarita is not just a place with an amazingly bright future, it is also a land with a rich history filled with ties to its past. Over the last couple of decades, perhaps no one can claim a bigger role in preserving the area’s balance of recognizing its past and looking forward to its future. A leader in the city’s ongoing effort to make Newhall a more thriving part of the community, Weste also acts as a steward of its history as president of the Friends of Hart Park. The group supports the William S. Hart Park, which recently became a city property. Weste was also there when the city put in the Cross-Valley Connector and many of the city’s west-side developments, which are still growing today. She’s also been a reason why developments have been balanced and the east side is now enjoying new developments in Sand Canyon and with the new Vista Canyon. Consistent and experienced leadership like Weste’s is hard to come by.

12 · Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner During his time on the governing board for the only junior high and high school district in the SCV, Messina has always been an advocate for educational opportunities for local students. A successful business owner in the IT industry, Messina knows that not everyone will take the traditional four-year route, and he’s spent the last 15 years or so working to make sure students have as many opportunities as possible to learn professional skills in the workforce as he did. He’s a big reason why the Hart district has many partnerships with places like College of the Canyons, where students can learn skills like welding, machining and robotics. These types of programs can put Hart district students in a place to be successful outside of the classroom as well as inside of it.

One of the most impressive feats during his tenure on the board was the establishment of Castaic High School. It is a top-notch facility that everyone in the community can be proud of from its classroom resources to its athletic facilities and everything in between.

Schiavo’s most significant work on legislation is one that could impact the SCV for generations, no small feat for a freshman lawmaker in the California State Assembly. Her effort on Cemex — Assembly Bill 163 — didn’t end up getting signed into law, but the governor cited the fact that the Water Board was giving the public an opportunity to protest the effort to put a mine in Soledad Canyon — the purpose of the bill — in his veto. In her first year in the Assembly, Schiavo has authored seven key pieces of legislation that was sent to the governor’s desk. She also co-sponsoring a number of other bills. Her ability to figure things out quickly in Sacramento bode well for her constituents in the 40th District. This has given her the opportunity to serve on seven committees in the state capitol, including as chair of the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee and chair of the Select Committee on Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure. Her other committee seats include the committees on Emergency Management; Public Employment and Retirement; Utilities and Energy; Water, Parks and Wildlife; and the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management.

Her work on behalf of everything from families to businesses continues to benefit SCV residents.

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Cameron Smyth

Mike Kuhlman

Justin Diez

“City of Santa Clarita Mayor Pro Tem Cameron Smyth is a leader, lifelong resident and family man.

His twenty years in public service is yet another big reason why the city has been consistently recognized for being such a great place to live, work and raise a family, through his work in City Hall and Sacramento.”

“The William S Hart Union High School District’s schools are second-to-none and a big reason why residents have moved to the SCV. Superintendent Mike Kuhlman’s committed leadership and that of his staff and teachers are the reasons why that’s so true year in and year out. And, a huge source of pride for everyone in our community”

“I don’t think there’s ever been a more difficult time to work in law enforcement, particularly with some of the political challenges that have been placed in their line of duty, but Capt. Justin Diez works tirelessly to keep the Santa Clarita Valley safe through his work at the Sheriff’s Station.”

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner Smyth’s experience in the political arena is unrivaled for a local politician. He’s served in the California State Assembly in addition to being the city’s youngest member of the council in city history. After his time in the Assembly, he came back to make a difference in his hometown. As the city’s mayor in 2020, Smyth and the community were faced with unprecedented challenges, widespread protests, a pandemic and then a needed economic recovery. Through it all, Smyth remained a leader who was out in the public and always willing to address concerns or questions that residents had. As the city now wrestles with the growing pains of new developments, it’s important that someone like Smyth is at the helm, someone who understands the city. Perhaps his most selfless act was during the city’s contentious election change, when he decided to step down to avoid a potentially contentious fight over politics for what he thought was in the best interest of the city, the true action’s of a real leader.

14 · Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner Superintendent Kuhlman has no easy task as the leader of the Santa Clarita Valley’s only K-12 school district. With more than 22,000 students and boundaries that reach across the SCV, Kuhlman’ is tasked with guiding his district through a countless number of challenges and opportunities every day. One of the major aspects of Kuhlman’s leadership is his understanding of the district, having risen up through the ranks. Kuhlman started as a history teacher at Saugus High in 1997 and went on to serve as an assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent and deputy superintendent. Kuhlman has shown that his understanding of the district means he has an ability to get things done and lead through obstacles such as Covid and school safety. Under his leadership, students have attained consistently high test scores.

And, earlier this year, six public high schools in the SCV were named in the U.S. News & World Report rankings as among the top 14% nationally.

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Capt. Justin Diez helps make the SCV one of the safest communities in the country based on a number of different rankings that are published out each year. He works tirelessly every day to preserve the area as a safe place where one can be proud to raise a family. In addition to making sure the SCV always has active patrols that make the station proud, Diez has been an invaluable community partner on attacking challenges that have come to the SCV. This includes fentanyl, which has provided a deadly and unprecedented challenge throughout the country. Diez immediately recognized the dangers that were going on in the community when the drug started to appear locally, and he worked with The Signal, LA County and the city of Santa Clarita in order to hold a forum and help parents get information that could ultimately save lives. In addition to the community partnerships he’s created, he’s done an amazing job with leadership of the station’s special teams and operations that keep Santa Claritans safe.

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Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal 15

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Bill Miranda

Randy Wrage

Frank Oviedo

“Bill Miranda stepped up and took a leadership role with the city of Santa Clarita when it was needed, and since then he’s proven to be a valuable member of the City Council to which he brings the perspective of a business owner, family man and veteran to the group.”

“Managing the construction of a state-of-the-art high school for the Santa Clarita Valley, Randy Wrage of Spirit Properties has brought Castaic students, teachers and families a facility they can be proud of for generations, which is just one example of his company’s legacy. He also never forgets to support his local community with generous giving to nonprofit organizations.”

“Assistant City Manager Frank Oviedo has been an important part of what Santa Clarita has accomplished over the last few years, whether that’s a new ice rink, a new transit center, a new park and more, never seeking the spotlight and always getting things done behind the scenes.”

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner The city of Santa Clarita prides itself on being a business-friendly city, and part of that is because leaders like Miranda understand what it’s like to run a business and raise a family, which seems to become harder each year in California. Miranda is a leader who’s not afraid to speak honestly about his opinions or speak about bold ideas for the city’s future, which is also something that a city’s leadership needs. Santa Clarita has a lot of big decisions to tackle in the coming years, and Miranda has the experience to help guide the city and its residents through them. While Santa Clarita’s size, shape and even electoral system could change in the future, it will always need dedicated leaders who are passionate about its future. Whether it’s through his work as an author, radio show host, TV show host, publisher or mayor, Miranda is always showing that he cares about his constituents and trying to communicate with them, which is an important part of his years of public service to the city of Santa Clarita.

16 · Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner Wrage has played a critical role in the development of a number of projects throughout the SCV as someone who’s worked in construction and development for more than 35 years in the area.

Spirit Properties has completed a number of projects, including business developments and nonprofit ventures. Wrage’s dedication to the community is a big reason why Bridge to Home was able to get commitments to get a brand new shelter built, which will not only be a great resource for those residents who are less fortunate but also help the community apply for and receive additional resources in order to fight the problem of homelessness. In addition to his nonprofit works, what perhaps is the crowning achievement so far for Spirit Properties is the construction of Castaic High School. While the community tried for years to figure out the perfect spot and timing to develop the high school, it was up to Wrage to deliver what was needed. He came through as he always has for SCV residents with a quality campus that students really enjoy and will for years.

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner Every year, the city’s list of accomplishments grows, with new resources for the public, new facilities for residents to enjoy and new programs for them to participate in with their friends and neighbors. Oviedo’s role is critical in Santa Clarita City Hall, as the person who oversees day-today operations in the City Manager’s Office. On top of that, the city continually provides new benefits each year while maintaining a balanced budget, which is no small feat and why the city continually earns awards for its responsible leadership.

Just a few of the projects that have happened in the last few years with Oviedo’s help have included the city’s takeover of the ice rink, the creation of a new skate park and the completion of the Vista Canyon Metrolink Transit Station. These are all just a small sampling of the results of his work with the city and its partners. He’s also become involved in community organization, serving on the board

of directors for various nonprofit organizations and currently serving as chair of the Michael Hoefflin Foundation for children’s cancer in Santa Clarita.

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John Shaffery

Dianne Van Hook

Marsha McLean

“John Shaffery, principal and co-founder of Poole Shaffery, has played a pivotal role in the business community through his work with the law and as founder and co-chair of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp., which has drawn countless businesses here.”

“There are few people who can say they have had

“Whether advocating for city of Santa Clarita residents on behalf of their transportation needs or for more parks and local resources and the environment, City Councilwoman Marsha McLean has been a voice for Santa Claritans since she first joined the council in 2002.”

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner Shaffery’s legal expertise has earned him the distinction of being a Super Lawyer for an impressive 17 years, a testament to his exceptional legal acumen. Furthermore, his involvement as the past chair of the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce highlights his deep engagement in local business advocacy and support, further solidifying his influential role in the business community. Shaffery’s more than three decades of litigation experience includes wins in local, state and federal court. He is licensed to argue matters before the California Courts of Appeal and in all four California-based federal court districts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. He’s also a member of a number of national organizations, including the Trucking Insurance Defense Association and the Themis Advocates Group. Shaffery’s local involvement in support of the community also includes help for nonprofits through work with his law firm, the largest in the SCV. Since the firm’s founding in the Santa Clarita Valley more than 25 years ago, it’s grown to five offices located throughout Southern California.

the kind of positive impact on an area that College of the Canyons Chancellor Dianne Van Hook has had on the Santa Clarita Valley for the last 35 years during her tenure at an institution that’s been critical to the region’s success.”

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner Since joining College of the Canyons in 1988, Van Hook has done more than grow the campus and its resources, which was probably inevitable for an area with such high growth. What’s special about what Van Hook has done is she’s made the college such a significant part of so many industries’ success out here. The entire community it seems is invested in the college’s success, and vice versa, which is the true definition of a community partnership. It’s hard to imagine what the college would be like without the amazing center it has that bears her name or the other indelible marks she’s left, including her effort to create a Canyon Country campus. One thing is for sure, her presence and legacy will be felt in education for a long time to come. The new interim technology training center just the first of what is sure to be many more new and exciting opportunities for students to come in the few years, the future looks bright as well for the college.

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner Even before McLean joined the Santa Clarita City Council, she fought for residents with her efforts to battle Elsmere Canyon. She has kept up her fight for residents with the most recent results being more local routes from Metrolink for local commuters, which is a perfect complement to a new station coming online later this year. In the announcement of the routes, McLean talked about the yearslong efforts and the countless meetings downtown she attended on behalf of her constituents. McLean has also represented Santa Clarita residents through a number of regional organizations, including a term of service from 2007-08 as president of the Los Angeles County Division of the League of California Cities.

She has served on the board of the state League of California Cities, and represents Santa Clarita and the North County on the Transportation Policy Committee of the Southern California Association of Governments. She also founded a local organization to help residents fight against the state’s high-speed rail plan, which has been fought by a number of local interests.

Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal 17

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Hunt Braly

Jason Crawford

Wayne Crawford

“One of the most prominent of the Santa Clarita Valley’s behind-the-scenes operators, Hunt Braly, a partner at Poole Shaffery, has used his experience, political savvy and legal acumen to get things done for his clients in the community for decades.”

“One of the things that makes the city of Santa Clarita great is its reputation as a place where businesses can come to grow and thrive, and Jason Crawford, the city’s director of community development, is one of the biggest reasons why that’s consistently true” .

“Wayne Crawford, president of Santa Clarita Concrete and a major contributor to Santa Clarita Valley nonprofits, sets an example for business owners as someone who’s truly a good guy, like an old fashioned cowboy, always willing to give but eager to stay away from the limelight and let others take the credit.”

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner Braly heads the land use and governmental affairs practice groups for Poole Shaffery, the city’s largest local law firm. Braly could be seen at City Hall front and center when his client Shadowbox Studios was receiving approval for a project that will transform North Newhall and Placerita Canyon with a 1.3 million-square-foot state-of-theart development. Just like he’s been there to help so many other projects get approved, whether its guiding a nonprofit through approvals for its facility or helping the area create a veteran-enriched neighborhood like the one off Centre Pointe Parkway — a project that builds opportunities for financial sustainability and upward mobility by offering permanent housing with wraparound services in a supportive community. Braly has served as chief of staff for former Sen. Ed Davis in the 1980s, he then led a full-service law firm as a name partner and then went on to help the Golden Valley Ranch commercial and residential development get built and Gate/King Partners’ 4.5 million square feet commercial development in Newhall. Braly has also used his skills to help the local hospital through its master plan process.

18 · Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner Crawford helps guide the city of Santa Clarita through the development landscape, which is an increasingly difficult journey in the state of California. While legislators from afar work to chip away at local control, Crawford and the city do their best year after year to make sure the city has responsible, clean, efficient developments and project planning. He and his team recently completed a massive milestone, a 10-year housing allocation with the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development, no small feat for the third-largest city in L.A. County. As the city prepares for growth and the inevitable change that will come with it, residents can rest knowing the city is pursuing the best opportunities it can for residents. On the horizon for the city is a stateof-the-art studio development from Shadowbox, which will bring a positive investment to the community for decades, and a new mall investment that’s bound to result in improvements to the west side of the community to match some of the new and exciting plans for the east side, including Vista Canyon’s and a mixed-use development in Sand Canyon.

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner A former Santa Clarita Valley Man of the Year who’s been recognized numerous times for his philanthropy, Crawford also leads a company that’s left its mark literally and figuratively all over the SCV. College of the Canyons iCUE, COC’s Halsey Hall, work on Hart High School, the Bella Vida SCV Senior Center and Castaic High School represent a few of the many that Crawford’s company have helped pour. Crawford’s success has enabled him to get a permanent home for Carousel Ranch built in Agua Dulce, as well as a riding facility that bears the family’s name. A supporter of the equine therapy nonprofit, he’s made it a mission to give back to the SCV in a number of ways.

He’s been a dedicated supporter of Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, where his experience and expertise have guided its foundation to accomplish a number of great things for the community. He played a critical role in starting the Valley Industry Association more than 40 years ago, and received the Silver Spur award for his support of COC.

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The City of Santa Clarita is proud to congratulate those named to the Signal’s Top 51 and would like to thank you for all the work you do in our community!

Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal 19

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Don Kimball

John Musella

Jon Hatami

“The Santa Clarita Valley is a family-friendly community that’s clean, well-designed and set up for generations of success thanks in large part to the work of FivePoint and Newhall Land & Farming, and Don Kimball carries on that legacy today as a community leader.”

“John Musella, president and chief strategist of The Musella Group, is a ubiquitous force in the Santa Clarita Valley business scene, from his work with the SCV Chamber of Commerce to his prolific and successful public relations firm providing communications and government relations work that extends well beyond the SCV.”

“LA County Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami has made a name for himself in the community by fighting for its most vulnerable victims, while being tough on crime, which is the type of advocate LA County needs right now in the District Attorney’s office.”

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner Newhall Land & Farming’s beautiful burgeoning community in Valencia FivePoint is one of the many reasons to be excited about the SCV’s future.

Newhall Land, and now Valencia FivePoint, has always invested heavily in the area’s success, but not just by making smart decisions that have paid off in the company’s balance sheet. The company’s leadership, has a tradition of personally investing themselves in the area’s success, and Kimball has most certainly contributed his time, energy and resources to a number of local nonprofit efforts. A perfect example of Kimball’s give-back attitude is his volunteerism with Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, which garnered him the title SCV Man of the Year in 2023. He served 17 years on the hospital’s board. He has also been chairman of its board numerous times in the past, including in 2019, when the hospital celebrated the opening of its new patient tower. Kimball’s fundraising efforts as a leader of the hospital’s foundation board were also critical in getting the tower built. He consistently shows himself to be a man committed to the community.

20 · Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner Musella, has represented some of the biggest names in the SCV business community and helped see a number of the area’s biggest projects through the approval process and then completion. In addition to his experience and talents in the world of public relations, one of Musella’s biggest assets is his influential network of contacts.

He and his husband, Ivan Volschenk, have been instrumental in their efforts to revitalize the SCV Chamber of Commerce, which went from a challenging spot to the growing and thriving organization it is today. Over the years his client list has been a veritable who’s who of industry titans in the SCV, including, but not limited to, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, Waste Connections,New Urban West, Starbucks, Brookfield, Lennar, Tejon Ranch, CalArts and the Building Industry Association. As Musella builds on his efforts as a master networker, the SCV and its business community continue to reap the benefits of having connective, supportive resources for its future growth as well.

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner While the LA County District Attorney’s Office has consistently worked to make things easier for criminals over the last three years, Hatami hasn’t been afraid to speak out for what he thinks is right, even if it puts himself in jeopardy. However he’s managed to rise above any office politics and continue to be successful in holding criminals to account for their crimes. Most notably, he successfully garnered convictions in two separate cases that received national media attention for the horrific nature of the crimes against children.

As a member of LA County prosecutors’ Complex Child Crimes Unit, Hatami has shown himself to be someone with a proven track record of going after some of the worst criminals. His advocacy for victims’ rights and sensible criminal justice represents the kind of even-handed approach that’s needed for such important decisions. Hatami has consistently raised a much-needed call for common sense in the DA’s office, which is something the entire community should support. He’s been regularly involving himself in community events throughout the SCV and advocating for what he believes in to try and create a safer county.

Congratulations 2023 Signal Top 51!

Thank you for your contributions and dedication in positively shaping the Santa Clarita Valley.

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Mark Blazer

David Hegg

Bill Cooper

“Rabbi Mark Blazer of Temple Beth Ami is one of the Santa Clarita Valley faith-based community’s most trusted and longest-tenured leaders, who’s always using his role to bring people together and recognize how we can better support each other.”

‘A longtime trusted leader in the Santa Clarita Valley’s faith community, Senior Pastor David Hegg of Grace Baptist Church has provided comfort, guidance and help to his congregation for generations, with authorship and sermons that also offer inspiration and hope.”

“Bill Cooper has been a leader for the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency, and the Castaic Lake water Agency before that, where he has been a careful and responsible steward for nearly 30 years of perhaps the area’s most precious resource, water.”

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner When people of the Jewish faith were confronted with the tragic terrorist attacks this month and the horrible aftermath of the civilian violence, Blazer quickly called a gathering and invited everyone together to support those who were in need and suffering. These types of calls for solidarity and support to try and bring people together, bridge gaps and build understanding are a powerful way to turn a tragedy into something that can unite a people. He’s brought educational opportunities to students throughout the country with his work in the Albert Einstein Academy charter school system that continues to thrive. As a leader at Temple Beth Ami since 2000, he’s led generations in the SCV through important milestones. He also serves as president of the Jewish Life Foundation, which promotes Jewish culture.

The majority of its educational programming airs on Jewish Life Television, the only international TV network dedicated to uplifting Jewish values and programming. To help some of those most in need, he’s served as a chaplain for the Sheriff’s Department and the California Department of Corrections for nearly a decade.

22 · Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner A senior pastor and adjunct professor at The Master’s University, Hegg’s leadership and willingness to share his knowledge were ingrained in him from a young age, as someone who was raised in a pastor’s family. He’s constantly sharing his perspective and passion for his faith, whether through the pages of The Signal where he writes a weekly editorial or from the beautiful campus where he preaches on Copper Hill Drive. On his website, he shares his faith-based perspective on all aspects of life in a world where that can be a challenging thing to maintain. With works featured and published on The Gospel Coalition, as well as a number of other religious outlets, Hegg uses all the tools he can to spread his beliefs and try to help others. He leads one of the area’s largest congregations, with a 2,000-seat amphitheater, and during Covid-19, Hegg never wavered in his commitment to his flock. He figured out ways to keep people safe with spacing and virtual gatherings, despite the challenges and the difficulty of losing in-person fellowship.

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner The state of California has endured a number of drought emergencies over the last few years, but SCV residents have never really had to worry if there’s been enough water in its wells, thanks to leaders like Cooper. Whether the job is making sure the area’s water is clean enough for residents to drink and use every day or making sure there’s enough to go around for a growing and thriving community, Cooper has been in the room making decisions on behalf of local residents. In addition to his service in public office, Cooper also served in the U.S. Navy, and after leaving the service, he worked his way up to the leadership of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, where he oversaw treatment plants that delivered water to millions of people throughout Southern California. Never one to shy away from rolling up his sleeves and getting to work, Cooper’s volunteerism on behalf of nonprofits includes years with the Child & Family Center’s governing board, as well as time serving on city committees and local school site councils.

Congratulations to all

51

of Santa Clarita’s Most Influential People A special thanks to the 51 recipients for making a positive difference in the lives of all the citizens in Santa Clarita.

— Michael Berger

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Jim Backer

Carrie Lujan

Lance Williams

“Jim Backer, founder and president of JSB Development, has created so many projects throughout the Santa Clarita Valley that residents can be proud of and a big reason why the community is a model for other places on how to achieve smart and responsible growth.”

“The beauty of the city of Santa Clarita is regularly appreciated by its residents who enjoy topnotch programs, facilities and surroundings, and its Communications Director Carrie Lujan does an amazing job of making sure everyone knows why it’s such a great place to live.”

“Lance Williams of Williams Homes is approaching three decades of building quality homes in the Santa Clarita Valley, smart, efficient developments that help raise the quality of life for all residents by adding new neighborhoods that residents can be proud of.”

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner The city of Santa Clarita just celebrated the completion of another one of Backer’s mixed-use developments, with the Vista Canyon Multi-Modal Center representing a perfect example of what can go right when a developer and community’s goals align. The development brings hundreds of homes, thousands of square feet of well-planned development and perhaps most significantly, a brand new state of the art transit center to the east side so as many residents as possible can enjoy the additions, with lots of options for moving around. All of this is done with an impressive focus on sustainability and thought to the future, as the project is considered net-zero, a groundbreaking designation that means the project doesn’t use up more water than its water-recycling plant can help generate, an incredible commitment but the type we’ve come to expect from JSB Development. Equally impressive has been Backer’s commitments to the local nonprofit community, where he’s generously donated his time and resources to help organizations like local little league baseball, the WiSH Education Foundation, SCV Education Foundation and the SCV Chamber of Commerce.

24 · Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner The city of Santa Clarita is regularly recognized for its award-winning Communications Department from statewide agencies, and Lujan’s leadership of her department is a big part of that.

She tirelessly works on messaging on behalf of the third-largest city in Los Angeles County, and if a problem or situation ever arises, she always seems prepared to handle outreach and let residents know what they need to in order to know what’s going on. Her work on “Community Corner” with SCVTV highlights her work in the media to build partnerships and highlights the good in the community. She’s also someone who’s willing to roll up her sleeves and help out when needed, which she did as a volunteer and board member for Bridge to Home as the nonprofit worked to build a homeless shelter for the city. Among Lujan’s awards for excellence in her field include the 2021 3CMA Communicator of the Year, as well as having her team honored the previous year with the 2020 Frank Potter Cowan Crisis Communication Leader Award from CAPIO.

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner Ever since Williams started his company locally and built its first subdivision in Santa Clarita on Lola Lane, his leadership has grown and expanded Williams Homes into one of the largest, privately held residential builders and developers on the West Coast. Williams can now lay claim to having a footprint in six markets that span four different states, and he success seems bound to continue.

His plans and developments have led to well over 2,000 homes since that first project on Lola, which include more traditional single-family structures to condos and townhomes in Southern and Northern California, the Central Coast, Montana, Idaho and Texas.

His local communities in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties include Gate 26 in Valley Village of the San Fernando Valley and Shoreline in Oxnard.

One of the very exciting projects that’s now being promoted is Williams Ranch, a beautiful 430-acre plot in Castaic that’s tucked away between the Sierra Pelona Mountains and Castaic Lake Recreation Area. The company has plenty of exciting plans that, based on the company’s track record, residents can look forward to for the future.

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Bob Jensen

Gary Martin

Dale Donohoe

“William S. Hart Union High School District governing board President Bob Jensen has run a successful business and given back for years as a supporter of local nonprofits and a well-respected leader for the local school district where he was just elected to another term.”

“In Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency board member Gary Martin, local ratepayers know they have a leader and representative with the wisdom and experience to get the job done, no easy task when you’re talking about complicated mergers and multimillion-dollar projects.”

“Dale Donohoe, CEO of Intertex General Contractors, is a Santa Clarita Valley developer who has brought the area millions of square feet of bestin-class commercial facilities that have helped our area grow and attract quality businesses.”

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner

Jensen is well-known in the SCV educational community for his fervent support of local educational programs, particularly athletics, which has been a hallmark of his service during his 14 years.

As he starts his fourth term, he can lay claim as one of the board members who guided the Hart district through the process of getting Castaic High School built to completion. He’s helped the district become better at addressing students’ mental health and wellness in his leadership of the district through the pandemic and the myriad of challenges that faced our largest local K-12 school district in the years since. He’s also been a longtime volunteer as a local AYSO soccer coach, one of the many roles that have allowed him to mentor local youth.

His skills and expertise in finance and accounting led him to volunteer as a member of the Saugus-Hart School Facilities Financing Authority and the William S. Hart Joint School Financing Authority. In his professional capacity as a certified public accountant of more than 30 years, he’s also been a part of the local Chamber of Commerce

Martin was instrumental as an experienced board member when the SCV had a brand new water agency that had the jurisdiction and responsibility for the entire valley, after Sen. Scott Wilk successfully authored Senate Bill 634 to create the SCV Water Agency in 2017. In his work with local water, the civil engineering expert is also a member of the SCV Groundwater Sustainability Alliance, the Urban Water Institute, the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority and the Association of Water Agencies Joint Powers Insurance Authority. Prior to joining the governing board for the SCV’s previous lead water authority — the Castaic Lake Water Agency — Martin was the director of engineering for a water district that covered approximately 5,000 square miles, the Mojave Water Agency. His role is one that’s critical for the SCV as the need for and ability to provide a reliable water supply are obviously critical for any development or plan. But that’s especially true in Southern California, where the supply and demand require careful management, making it just as important to have experienced leaders like Martin at the helm.

26 · Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner Donohoe, another former successful Newhall Land & Farming executive to go on and become a business leader in the SCV, Donohoe has created quality projects from the city of Los Angeles to Bakersfield through his construction firm, Intertex, which was founded in 1982. Among the very recognizable local projects, Donohoe is responsible for Henry Mayo Health Center in Valencia, the Gateway Promenade off The Old Road and developments in Bridgeport Marketplace, to name of few. Projects for Grace Baptist Church and Santa Clarita Studios are also in the works. As a result of all of his community success, Donohoe is frequently sought out by community organizations and just as frequently he gives back. Donohoe is a big supporter of Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, the SCV Boys & Girls Club, the SCV Child & Family Center, the Valencia Industrial Association and the American Heart Association. Donohoe is also on the board of the SCV Economic Development Corp., which also helps draw businesses to the SCV. A College of the Canyons alumni and later a member of its Hall of Fame, he was a major supporter of the college’s University Center campaign.

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Gloria Mercado

Cherise Moore

Todd Stevens

“Gloria Mercado Fortine has been a supporter of educational opportunities for Santa Clarita Valley students, a promoter of safety with the SCV Sheriff’s Foundation and has served in various leadership efforts in the local nonprofit community which has made a real difference in the SCV.”

“William S. Hart Union High School District governing board member Cherise Moore joined the district in 2018 and in the five years since has proven herself to be a dedicated advocate for children, families and education in the Santa Clarita Valley.”

“ A leader, innovator and entrepreneur for one of the region’s most important industries, Todd Stevens also is a business leader and CEO for his own energy firm that gives back to his community and generously supports local nonprofit organizations.”

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner Mercado Fortine dedicated years of service to students on the governing board for the William S. Hart Union High School District, she’s also been of service to College of the Canyons, which included a recent role in the college’s Women’s Conference. The CEO and president of her consulting firm, Global Education Solutions Inc., the Hart High graduate has spent a large part of her life giving back to the community she loves so much. Honored as the 2018 SCV Woman of the Year, she’s been on this list a number of times in the past for her community work. In addition to that she’s been honored by Single Mothers Outreach as an Empowering Hearts honoree, as SCV Latino Chamber of Commerce Community Leader of the Year and an SCV Chamber of Commerce Business Alliance Community Leader. One of the biggest ways she makes the community healthier is by supporting Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers’ local low-cost clinics, for which serves as president of the governing board. She’s also president of the Sheriff’s Foundation and past president of the Boys & Girls Club’s boards 28 · Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner Moore obviously cares about education, which is not only part of her career as a professional, but also something she donates many personal hours as a member of the local junior high and high school governing board. At board meetings and community events for the district, she can often be seen engaging with parents and asking questions, these are signs that she is there because she truly cares.

As a parent of a child in the district, she brings a unique and valuable perspective to the board that helps service other parents in the community. This was critical for the district when schools and families were dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and she helped guide the district with policies for its reopening. And in addition to her role as a consultant with the United States Department of Education, she serves her community with a handful of nonprofit organizations, including the Santa Clarita

Valley Council PTA, Jack and Jill of America Inc., the Hart district’s WiSH Education Foundation, Bridge to Home and the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita to name a few.

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner For years as president and CEO of California Resources Corp., an important company in the state’s energy landscape, Todd Stevens was a local business leader who helped out a number of local nonprofit organizations. Now as the president and CEO of his own firm, Black Knight Energy, Stevens has kept up this practice. He’s not someone who seeks out the limelight, but he’s certainly willing to help whenever asked. The groups and organizations he supports offer assistance to a wide range of needs facing SCV families. Just a few of the local organizations he supports include the SCV Boys & Girls Club, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital and the SCV Sheriff’s Foundation. On top of that, the West Point graduate also gives his time to a number of professional organizations, including time serving with the Board of Counselors with the Master of Business for Veterans Programs at USC, the SCV Economic Development Corp., the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission Advisory Board, Val*Pac (San Fernando Valley Business Political Action Committee), the Southern California Leadership Council and with the USC Marshall School of Business Corporate Advisory Board.

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Marlee Lauffer

Stephanie English

Cary Quashen

“Marlee Lauffer is a big reason why Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital’s reputation as a first-class hospital that’s served the Santa Clarita Valley for more than 50 years is well-known throughout the community and beyond with resources that are constantly growing to meet local needs.”

“A trusted voice for public agencies in the Santa Clarita Valley for years, Stephanie English’s award-winning work with LA County over the years with the Fire Department and Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s office demonstrates a dedicated commitment to public service.”

“Cary Quashen has been a leader in the Santa

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner

There are probably few people who understand the SCV and how much it has grown over the last 20 years like Marlee Lauffer, who’s the vice president of marketing and communications for Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital and the president of the hospital’s foundation. The two roles go hand in hand: Lauffer shares the ever-lengthening list of accomplishments, awards and accolades the hospital garners, and then leads the community-wide effort to raise support to grow the hospital’s ability to sustain its excellent quality of care. The latest example of the importance of this work can be seen towering over the hospital’s main campus in Valencia, where the foundation recently led the construction of a 160-bed patient tower. The next phase of the campaign promises to be just as significant. In addition to four state-of-the-art surgical suites, a $25 million effort would also cover a significant expansion of the hospital’s pre- and post-acute recovery unit (PACU), a nurses’ station, staff lounges and a waiting room. We know that with her messaging and communications Henry Mayo will continue to thrive.

The Santa Clarita Valley has had a history of dealing with any number of emergencies from fires to floods to earthquakes. When SCV residents look to LA County for information, it’s often English there providing the information to media sources like The Signal on what’s going on, if there are evacuations and where people can find safety.

This type of work requires long hours and lots of dedication, which is why the community is lucky to have someone like English in her role to help people understand what’s going on. Now in her senior field deputy role with the 5th District, she’s still frequently attending community meetings throughout North Los Angeles County. English is putting her invaluable skills and experience to good use in helping Barger’s constituents stay informed. She also uses her role with LA County to encourage safety through work with organizations like the American Heart Association, one of the many partnerships she helps manage for LA County. Her work representing areas as diverse as Acton, Agua Dulce, Castaic, Stevenson Ranch and Val Verde is true community service.

30 · Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal

Clarita Valley’s fight against substance abuse, addiction and family problems for decades, and while the threats to our community continue to get more dangerous and deadly each year, it’s good to know he’s here to help fight against them.”

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner From the SCV’s own backyard, Quashen has worked as an advocate for local families and become a nationally renowned expert in his field for his dedication to helping others. When the city of Santa Clarita recognized the national heroin epidemic was starting to creep its way into the community, Quashen was one of the people that local officials turned to for advice on what to do.

Quashen was there for the SCV when the opioid crisis became an issue, then when the city suddenly gained attention for trying to tackle the vaping problem among youth and most recently with perhaps the community’s deadliest threat yet: fentanyl. When The Signal held a town hall meeting to help inform the community on the dangers and rising deaths from fentanyl, Quashen was one of the first calls. His work at Action Drug Rehabilitation performs a vital role in the SCV and beyond.

The SCV is lucky to have resources like Quashen and Action.

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27450 Tourney Road. Valencia CA Suite #250

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to all who have been named Santa Clarita’s Most Influential People of 2023 Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal 31

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Maria Gutzeit

Kathy Norris

Don Fleming

“An experienced environmental consultant and a longtime leader for our local water agencies, Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency board member Maria Gutzeit has been a longtime voice in water that makes sure the community has what it needs to grow smartly and thrive.”

“A leader for the Valley Industry Association, VIA CEO and President Kathy Norris has been an advocate and supporter of businesses in the Santa Clarita Valley for more than 40 years, sharing her experience and skills with generations of other leaders.”

“Don Fleming has been the president of the Santa Clarita Auto Dealers Association and a partner in Valencia Acura for years, a respected leader in the business community and a person who gives back to his hometown with generous support of local non profits.”

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner

Frequently recognized as a leader for her work in the SCV and in the neighboring San Fernando Valley, Norris has for years brought together leaders on behalf of making her community a better place to do business and raise a family. Some of the great examples of Norris’ networking efforts include her organization’s Leadership Program, which works to mentor the next generation of talent; the annual VIA Bash, which is a great networking opportunity; the CEO Forum, which gives a chance to hear from the success of others; and, of course, the VIA Connecting to Success Program. The themes of her work obviously involve making everyone around her better, which is something that Norris has made her mission. One of the things her organization does particularly well is with its series of educational programs and mentorship experiences that VIA shares with the community. With hundreds of members and an importance that’s bound to only grow along with the community as new developments and plans come to the area, the future is bright for Norris and VIA and something we look forward to.

As anyone who’s been there will tell you, there’s a reason why he calls Valencia Acura a friendship rather than a dealership. Fleming’s affable nature puts people at ease, and it’s no surprise his business has grown and succeeded for decades as a mainstay on the city’s Auto Row. A former recipient of the SCV Man of the Year award for his many nonprofit endeavors, the list of organizations he’s been involved with would leave one to ask if there is any nonprofit he hasn’t helped.

A few of the more prominent local ones he’s involved with includes Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital’s fundraising foundation, the SCV Boys & Girls Club, the SCV Child & Family Center, the SCV Chamber of Commerce, United Way, The Roar Foundation and the American Heart Association, to name a few. For a number of those groups, he has served as president or governing board chair.

His work with the Santa Clarita Auto Dealers Association provides important advocacy for him and his colleagues in Valencia, which represents an industry that’s an important revenue driver for the city of Santa Clarita.

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner As the owner and engineer for a small business, Gutzeit brings not only decades of relevant industry experience in her role as a member of the governing board for the region’s water agency, she brings an understanding of what businesses and communities need to grow — water and responsible infrastructure. After serving as an environmental engineer at facilities for three major corporate operations in Southern California, she founded her own business, Compliance Plus nearly 30 years ago. She’s been a public servant since joining the Newhall County Water District’s governing board 20 years ago prior to its merger with SCV Water, for which she is the governing board vice president. In addition to her involvement with local water, she is a chemical engineer and an active member of the California Metals Coalition.

Gutzeit has given presentations at the California Certified Uniform Program Agency and Association of California Water Agencies annual conferences. In addition to her volunteerism and professional successes, Gutzeit raises a family in the SCV with her husband, a child, who attends school locally, and their three rescue dogs.

32 · Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal

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VA LLE Y INDU STRY ASSO C IATIO N ADVOCATE.EDUCATE.INNOVATE.

The Valley Industry Association CONGRATULATES SANTA CLARITA VALLEY’S MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE as the 2023 Signal’s

TOP 51

Congratulates Santa Clarita’s Top 51 Most Influential People

Award Recipients

LEADERSHIP STARTS WITH LEARNING

canyons.edu

WWW.VIA.ORG | 661.294.8088

2023.VIA.TOP51.indd 1

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Calvin Hedman

Patrick Moody

Ivan Volschenk

“As a co-founder for one of the community’s most important business organizations, Calvin Hedman of Hedman Partners is also a principal at his own firm and a leader in the business community through his various roles who has been a trusted adviser for years.”

“Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital spokesman Patrick Moody always instills confidence in the community and reflects the trust the Santa Clarita Valley has in its only hospital, which, like the SCV, is positioned for significant growth that will make it more important than ever.”

“The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce’s leadership is in great hands with Ivan Volschenk, who’s grown its membership since taking the helm and provided a vital source of information and networking to the community throughout the challenges of the last few years.”

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner Hedman is regularly ranked among the top 100 accountants in industry lists, no small feat when one thinks about just how many there are. But that speaks to the trusted reputation he has in his field, where he regularly helps local families with their accounting, taxes and consulting services, and businesses with their strategic business planning and major transactions. With more than 30 years as a certified public accountant, Hedman’s clients know they are getting advice they can count on. Hedman holds a Certified Merger and Acquisitions Advisor credential, a California Real Estate Broker’s license and a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority license for investment banking transactions. He also has experience with an international CPA firm. Despite having such a packed agenda, Hedman still remains committed to giving back to his hometown. In addition to his work with the SCV Economic Development Corp., he’s a founding member of the SCV Aerospace Defense Coalition and has served on SCV’s YMCA advisory board. Further using his expertise to help the community, he is a member of College of the Canon’s Measure M and E Citizens Oversight Committee.

34 · Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner

Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital was a leader for the local health community while local residents were trying to figure out how to live and survive in a global pandemic. Now that the worst appears to be over, the future is extremely bright for the SCV’s only local hospital and its leaders. The hospital’s success seems to be closely connected to the valley’s, as the hospital grows along with the developments that surround it. Plus, there’s more growth on the horizon for Henry Mayo. The hospital is in great health thanks in large part to Moody. In a recent interview, he talked about new inpatient resources and outpatient resources that are in the works. One reason he speaks confidently about the hospital’s future is that the hospital’s fundraising goal has received massive support from the community, with donors, volunteers and hospital staff contributing to get more than $15 million of the hospital’s new $25 million goal for expansion. With the fruits of the most recent campaign now complete, along with the new state-ofthe-art patient tower, it’s a only matter of time before there’s a new resource to talk about there.

While the landscape may be getting more and more costly for business owners in the state of California, the ones in the SCV have had a reliable and trusted network of quality resources in the SCV Chamber of Commerce. Since taking the lead of the chamber through his work as managing partner of Evolve Business Strategies, Volschenk has helped make tremendous improvements there with the addition of councils that recognize the growing diversity of the SCV’s business community. He’s also increased the number of popular events that bring people together and encourage success and opportunities for local industry — an important role for any community’s chamber of commerce. During the pandemic, the Chamber of Commerce was able to offer guidance to the city on behalf of the many small, medium and large businesses that are represented by its coalition. Recognized as the voice of business in the SCV and certainly one of its strongest allies, The Santa Clarita Valley Signal and Business Journal are also proud to partner with the Chamber of Commerce to make the SCV a more thriving community.

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Patsy Ayala

Michael Delorenzo

Mitzi Like

“A senior field representative for our state legislators, a leader for the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce and member of the city’s Planning Commission, Patsy Ayala is an influential force who works daily to make the SCV a better place for businesses and families.”

“Santa Clarita Studios founder and President Mike Delorenzo is a huge supporter of Santa Clarita Valley nonprofits like the Sheriff’s Foundation and the SCV Child & Family Center, someone who’s used his success to give back and make his community a better place to live and work.”

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner

“As president and CEO of LBW Insurance and Financial Services, Mitzi Like has guided her company and overseen its growth for years while making herself a regular fixture in the nonprofit community, balancing her success with a willingness to give back.”

Ayala has spent several years working with Sacramento lawmakers on behalf of SCV residents, relaying what’s going on in the capitol with their constituencies back home. She understands the needs of the community as a longtime resident and business owner who also raises a family in the SCV. As chair of the Latino Business Alliance, Ayala is an advocate who leads networking opportunities for her community. As someone who came to the SCV from Mexico City, she also understands the challenges that all immigrants can face and uses her experience to help others. A regularly featured voice on Spanish-language broadcasts in addition to her efforts with Spanish language publications. She has used her influence to help out with neighboring chambers, advisory councils and locally with the SCV Economic Development Corp. As a planning commissioner for the city, she asks questions to make sure the community has developments for which residents can be proud. As a representative for Sen. Scott Wilk and later for Assemblywoman Suzette Valladares, Ayala showed she could be effective working on behalf of veterans, too.

SCV has a history of being “Hollywood North” since it is a haven for television and film production for generations with local spots appearing in numerous shows and movies. And, Delorenzo has played a huge role in the resurgence of filming over the last 25 to 30 years with his work in bringing Santa Clarita Studios to the city. The facility, which has grown and expanded over the years along with the local film production scene, has been bringing major Hollywood-level shows and movies to the area for years. This brings a huge financial benefit to a number of local industries, including hospitality/tourism, catering/restaurants and local labor, just to name a few. He’s not just someone who’s been a leader of the filming renaissance here, he has encouraged the growth of places like LA North, another large, local soundstage facility, and now Shadowbox Studios, which will be very significant for the region. Delorenzo has also generously given to local nonprofits to support community resources, whether it’s by serving on the governing board of the nonprofit that supports the SCV Sheriff’s Station or the Child & Family Center.

36 · Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner Like’s leadership for LBW Insurance and Financial Services and her community involvement over the years in the Santa Clarita Valley have made her a well-known and trusted source for the industry. At LBW, where she’s also one of the firm’s partners, Like leads the growth strategy and runs daily operations from the company’s Valencia office. She is also very well-known for her generosity to the community, always willing to give back in ways that have been recognized here and in the neighboring San Fernando Valley. Her most recent honor, College of the Canyons’ Silver Spur Award, is one of the most prestigious in the community, given once a year to the college’s most significant supporters. She has been a longtime supporter for the SCV Economic Development Corp. and the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation, which recently nominated Like for SCV Woman of the Year. She also serves on the governing board for Henry Mayo. One of Like’s most impressive attributes is that in addition to her success she leads an office that is regularly recognized for being a great place to work.

TO THE TOP 51

Santa Clarita’s Most Influential of 2023

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25020 AVENUE STANFORD #50

VALENCIA, CA 91355

661-542-7001

WWW.BEYONDHARMONY.COM Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal 37

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Anna Griese

Di Thompson

Kevin Strauss

“Saugus Union School District governing board member Anna Griese is a relative newcomer to school politics but she’s quickly gained the trust from her constituents as someone who’s willing to ask questions on behalf of parents and children, always putting their priorities first.”

“Di Thompson of eXp Realty has grown her reputation in the Santa Clarita Valley as an experienced Realtor who’s helped countless families through the process of finding their dream home, and now she helps mentor others by giving back to the SCV Chamber of Commerce.”

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner

“Kevin Strauss is relatively new in his role as spokesman for the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency, but he’s no stranger to the community, as a longtime trusted source of information from his time in the Communications Department at Santa Clarita City Hall.”

After being elected to the governing board for the Saugus Union School District where her child attends, Griese has earned a reputation for doing what she said she would during her time on the campaign trail: asking questions and demanding transparency. A few examples of how Griese’s been doing this is helping parents respond to concerns about school-administration issues, asking questions about how campus incidents are handled, calling for as much transparency as possible in district processes and, most recently, looking for answers to questions about the process behind school closures. All of these situations have the potential to create questions and concerns for parents, and Griese understands that and is always willing to help seek out the truth. SCV parents are lucky to have such a dedicated advocate looking out for their children and the community’s future in education. She regularly speaks out on behalf of families’ concerns about school programs, bullying and information for parents, which is what every parent wants and needs in their school district representative. Leaders like Griese are a big reason why the SCV has such great schools.

A licensed Realtor, Thompson began her career in the commercial real estate space working with Grubb & Ellis and CBRE, closing deals with major corporations and gaining experience in new-construction properties. Thompson then transitioned to the residential sector, where she’s thrived for 20 years, helping people in the high-end market, particularly people looking for quality homes in the SCV. After garnering a reputation with her success in the field, she decided to get involved in her community and start giving back to the place where she and her husband have raised their two children. One of the first ways she started giving back was by becoming a leader of the Black Business Council, which is a way that the SCV Chamber of Commerce recognizes and celebrates diversity in the local business community. Thompson recently participated in the Women’s Conference at College of the Canyon as a business leader sharing her experiences to empower women. She also frequently supports local nonprofit organizations like the Circle of Hope, which fights cancer, and Soroptimist International of Greater SCV, which seeks to empower women.

38 · Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal

— Richard Budman Signal Publisher/Owner Strauss works for one of the area’s most important agencies in a very high-profile role. He is the first point of contact for the media and the public when there’s an important message to be communicated, whether there is a concern about a possible drought or an exciting new infrastructure project that will help bring growth and opportunity to the area. Looking at the big picture for the SCV in the next 10, 20 and 30 years, water will certainly play an important role in its growth, and it’s great that SCV Water has someone who understands the area like Strauss to share updates with the media on new developments. Prior to joining SCV Water, Strauss was part of an award-winning communications team for the city, which was known well beyond the Newhall Pass by its reputation for successful outreach and programs.

Strauss’ broadcast experience and ease in talking to people makes him a natural for the role, which has him sharing information about the agency’s fiscal responsibility and informing about resources such as water-conservation classes to help residents make our supply last.

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©2021 The Newhall Land And Farming Company (A California limited partnership), (“NLFC”), a subsidiary of Five Point Holdings, LLC (“FivePoint”). All rights reserved. Valencia, the Valencia logo, and the pinwheel logo are trademarks of NLFC and used for the marketing of new home neighborhoods in the County of Los Angeles, California. The FivePoint logo is a registered trademark of FivePoint Operating Company, LP. Neither NLFC nor FivePoint is constructing or offering homes for sale in Valencia. (10/23)

40 · Santa Clarita’s Most Influential 2023 • The Signal