Solano Economic Update: April 2023

APRIL 23' UPDATE

CHRIS RICO

President & CEO

Dear Members, Partners, and Friends of the EDC,

It was so great to see nearly 300 of you at our annual breakfast a few weeks back. Thank you for

Last weekend I had the pleasure of joining Veronica Boe for an Evening at The Palace, Cal Maritime’s 18th annual scholarship and awards gala. This was my first time in the historic Palace hotel and it didn’t disappoint. It was great to connect with many of the University’s committed alums who have a deep pride and reverence for that institution as they raised money for scholarships.. It was also heartening to see how the University has taken strides towards a more inclusive environment for women and other minority groups with the understanding that there is still room to grow.

Lastly, on a personal note, I will once again be riding my bike from San Francisco to Los Angeles this June as a participant in the Aids Lifecycle. This will be my 12th year participating in this incredible event. Each year, more than 2,800 people from across the nation and world come together. Over the course of a week, they make an epic 545 mile journey down the coast of California, from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Since 1994, AIDS/LifeCycle and its predecessor the California AIDS Ride have raised more than $286 million, making the event the largest fundraiser for HIV and AIDS in the world .Last year we raised $17 million to support Aids research and vital services. Due to the 13 atmospheric rivers we have all endured, I’m way behind in my training and fundraising. I have set a personal goal of raising $5,000. If you have the ability to support me and this worthy cause, thank you in advance. You can donate here.

Wishing you all good health and continued prosperity.

Chris Rico President/CEO

Thank you to everyone who attended our 40th

ANNUALBREAKFAST ANNUALBREAKFAST ANNUALBREAKFAST

WHEREISSOLANOHEADING? WHEREISSOLANOHEADING? WHEREISSOLANOHEADING?

Presented By:

Funded By:

SOLANO TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

Bucks for Bikes

Do you ride your bike to work? Are you considering it? Solano Mobility offers an incentive that will reimburse 60% of the cost of a new bicycle for commuting up to $300. To qualify, applicants must live, work, or attend college in Solano County, and meet additional requirements.

Any Solano resident or employee age 18 or older who agrees to the program’s rules and guidelines is eligible. Qualified applicants will be selected based on application review. There is no deadline, but programs funds are limited.

Cal Maritime Secures $1 Million in Federal Funding for Microgrid Program from Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Sen. Alex Padilla

California State University Maritime Academy has secured $1 million in federal funding through the offices of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) for an Academic Microgrid Project.

The funding will assist in the acquisition and installation of a photovoltaic (PV) system on campus to serve the University’s basic and emergency energy needs, generate energy cost savings, and act as a tool of education for academic research and development.

“We are extremely grateful to Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Sen. Alex Padilla for their support and advocacy of Cal Maritime, ” said Cal Maritime President Thomas A. Cropper. “This project will be a learning and living opportunity for Cal Maritime faculty, students, staff, and neighboring communities, and will result in environmental, social, educational, and economic benefits for years to come. ”

A photo of campus

Cal Maritime Secures $1 Million in Federal Funding for Microgrid Program from Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Sen. Alex Padilla

Cal Maritime supports California State University’s (CSU) larger sustainability goal to implement sustainability initiatives in operations, curriculum, and the community.

“I am pleased that funding for Cal Maritime’s academic microgrid project was included in last month’s federal spending bill, ” said Sen. Feinstein. “Upgrading this 92-acre campus to an independent, renewable energy system will benefit not only campus sustainability efforts but also the local community and environment. I commend President Cropper for his commitment to advancing sustainability in education and for continuing the school’s legacy as an integral part of the CSU system. ”

“I am proud to have secured funding for California State University Maritime Academy’s Microgrid Installation Project, which will help the University meet its energy goals and better prepare for emergencies, ” said Sen. Padilla. “Installing a solar energy microgrid is both sustainable and a strategic resource for campus resilience. This project will also support academic research and outreach programs within the surrounding community. ”

Reduce Cal Maritime Carbon footprint

Minimizing dependency on grid power

Reduce campus electricity costs

Serve as a sustainability platform

Project benefits to Cal Maritime’s campus for academic research and curriculum.

Generate renewable energy credits

Solano Community College Auto Program Wins Statewide Award

Automotive Tech (ATEC) won the CITEA (CA Industrial and Technology Education Association) award for best automotive training program in the state of California. The award will be presented on March 11 at Palomar College, as part of CITEA’s annual 3-day conference. A CITEA board member came to tour the ATEC facility to verify CITEA’s choice for the winning program with a tour led by ATEC instructor Ricky Marshall.

Future Solano Community College Falcons STEM Pilot Program

Future Solano Community College Falcons STEM Pilot Program

“Future Falcons” is a program for K-12 students intended to increase interest in college and Solano College specifically. The pilot event was held on Saturday, February 25th at the Vacaville campus and was Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) themed. The event was organized by Solano College chemistry faculty Dr. Commodore St. Germain and Brothas Raising Up His (BRUH) CEO Edward Russell Jr. and funded using Student Equity and Achievement (SEA) funds.

There were 12 participants ages 8-17 from Vallejo, Fairfield, and Vacaville and are from traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM and/or first-generation students.

The Future Falcon students participated in a DNA presentation and discussion and then extracted DNA from bananas. After lunch they met in the lab again to discuss college, Solano College, and STEM. This was a quote from a parent after the event: “Any time the conversation has come up [participant] has always said she doesn’t want to go to college in the past. Today she said she could see herself going to that college! Ty!! Ty for opening that door for her!”

The next Future Falcons event will be March 25, 2023 at the Vallejo AutomotiveTechnologies center.

Sign up at here.

B. Konard Jones, President and CEO of NorthBay Health, announced plans to retire effective Dec. 31, 2023, after nearly two decades leading Solano County’s only locally managed nonprofit health care system.

Jones joined NorthBay in 1995. After serving nine years as Vice President of Human Resources, he left to start a medical supply distribution company and served as a vice president at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, before returning to NorthBay in 2015 as President of the Hospital Division, then being named President and CEO in 2017.

Jones serves on the Board of Trustees for the Solano Economic Development Corporation and will step down in December. Sheniece Smith, NorthBay Health’s General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer will continue to serve on the board.

NorthBay Health’s Board of Directors, with the assistance of NorthBay’s Vice President of Human Resources, will conduct a national search for a successor.

“We are grateful and proud of Konard’s stewardship – his calm and effective presence has been the definition of what NorthBay is, ” said Mark Sievers, Chair of the NorthBay Health Board of Directors.

“We will seek a candidate who believes, as Konard does, in our independence, our community and in our care. ”

B. Konard Jones

New Mom Grateful for Life-Saving Care

After a traumatic boating accident, Gabriela Curiel was airlifted to the Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center Trauma Center for lifesaving surgery.

After a year of hard work, Gabriela Curiel headed to Lake Berryessa in Napa County, California, for a boating excursion hosted by her company, a San Francisco nonprofit. It was a bright, sunny day, and she was enjoying her time on the boat with colleagues. She was 4 months pregnant at the time so decided not to swim until a coworker convinced her to hop off the back of the boat and into the water. The day quickly turned into one of the hardest of Curiel’s life. While she was in the water, the boat propeller began to drag her toward it. She suddenly felt something hit her legs. The propeller had severely lacerated the upper and lower parts of each thigh. “My co-workers pulled me back onto the boat, and I remember looking down at my legs and the only thing I could see was blood, ” Curiel said. Luckily, an emergency boat happened to be nearby. She was rushed to shore and a California Highway Patrol helicopter then airlifted her to Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center Trauma Center.

The Arrival

The emergency room trauma team in Vacaville acted immediately, administering a massive blood transfusion. “If they hadn’t acted so quickly, my life may not have been saved, ” Curiel said. Everything happened so fast, she said. Curiel remembers saying to the nurses, “I’m pregnant, please help my baby. ” She also remembers that “a nurse kindly put her hands on both sides of my face and just looked at me and said, ‘Don’t worry. You are going to be OK. ”’ Curiel was then rushed to the operating room.

The Surgery

The initial surgery required 2 Kaiser Permanente vascular surgeons and a trauma surgeon. “That first surgery went for 10 hours, ” said Michael Levine, MD, vascular surgeon. “We had the whole trauma team working. At first, we weren’t sure if we could save her legs. ”

Three bypasses were done in that initial surgery, in which major

veins and arteries were repaired and reconnected. A few days later Curiel was taken in for another 10-hour surgery. Over the course of 3 weeks, Curiel had 7 additional surgeries to close her wounds and repair muscles using muscle flaps, which successfully saved both her legs.

Initially, Curiel stayed at the Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center for a month. Her care team included multiple medical and surgical specialists, trauma nurses, wound care nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers, and a nutritionist.

Travis Gerlach, MD, medical director of the Vacaville Trauma Center, said, “Gabby is a beautiful example of the amazing things that can be achieved when the trauma team and the rest of the clinical care team’s treatment is orchestrated effectively. ” For Curiel, the most important thing was the safety of her baby who, through it all, was perfectly healthy. Although doctors were unsure if Curiel would be able to walk, they knew Curiel was a fighter.

The Recovery

After her surgery, Curiel had a long road ahead of her. She was discharged to Kaiser Permanente’s home health team after a month, which provided physical therapy and around-the-clock care for 3 months. “My team was amazing. They took care of everything, ” she said. “The nurses would tell me they were praying for me and that I was their miracle patient. ” Her care team had praise for Curiel as well. “So much of her recovery was due to her determination, ” said Dr. Levine. “She always exceeded our expectations. And she never complained about anything. It was unbelievable how she dealt with everything. ”

After months of resilience and hard work, Curiel was able to walk normally again. Her baby girl, Leah, was born in November.

“I am so grateful for my life now, ” Curiel said. “Everything I do, I try to feel the moment and enjoy it to the maximum. You never know what will happen next. ”

Travis Gerlach, MD

CELIA ESPOSITO-NOY CONGRATULATIONS

THE PHI THETA KAPPA

HONOR SOCIETY SHIRLEY B. GORDON AWARD

Congratulations to Solano Community College Superintendent-President Celia Esposito-Noy, who will receive the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction from the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) during their annual convention happening April 20-22.

The award recognizes college presidents who support high-achieving students and developing student leaders on campus. She is one of 6, who have been chosen for this award nationwide.

Solano Community College PTK students will receive the 5-star award, which is the highest honor for PTK honor societies!

NIKILA GIBSON CONGRATULATIONS

SOLANO COUNTY

WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Black business advocate and president of the Tri City NAACP. She also has been involved with the Solano Resource Conservation District, Solano County Black Chamber of Commerce and Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce. She was awarded by Senator Bill Dodd.

ALEXIS KOEFOED

WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Alexis Koefoed, co-owner of Vacaville’s Soul Food Farm and President of Pleasants Valley Agriculture Association has been named the ‘2023 Woman of the Year for Solano County’ by Rep. Mike Thompson.

SOLANO COUNTY

CONGRATULATIONS

KEN AND SUSAN GIUSTI

VALLEJO SPEEDEE

OIL CHANGE & AUTO SERVICE FRANCHISEE OF THE YEAR

Congratulations to Vallejo SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service®

Franchisees Ken and Susan Giusti who were named recipients of the International Franchise Association’s prestigious Franchisee of the Year Award!

Ken and Susan have been SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service franchisees for 30 years, opening their Vallejo location in 1999.

SOLANO COUNTY EVENTS (CLICK THE EVENTS FOR MORE INFORMATION)

5th - Suisun City Homelessness Forum

6th - Spring & Spritzers Mixer - Vacaville Chamber

7th - First Friday Lunch Mob - Vallejo Chamber

- First Fridays at The Museum - Benicia Chamber

8th - Bourbon on Bourbon St. - Vallejo Chamber

13th - Career Fair - Workforce Development Board

- Mixer - Fairfield/Suisun City Chamber

14th - Vallejo Art Walk - City of Vallejo

15th - Shred Day Event - Fairfield/Suisun City Chamber

- Benicia Parkinson’s Awareness Rally and Walk

- MOBEC at John's Table Event - Resource and Health Fair for the Homeless - Touro University

19th - Mixer - Benicia Chamber

20th - Young Professionals of Solano Mixer - Vacaville Chamber

22nd - Blues Brews & BBQ's Beer Garden & TastingsCity of Fairfield

- BrewBash at the Basin - City of Suisun City

- 2nd Annual Benicia Diversity Festival

27th - Teacher Appreciation Mixer - Vallejo Chamber

- Lunch Mob - Fairfield/Suisun City Chamber

- MOBEC at the Dixon Heritage Commons

Apartment Complex - Touro University