The East Bay Leadership Council and Chevron present 28th Annual East Bay USA: Leading the Region Toward a Sustainable Future

Geoff Colvin, Chris Thornberg and Randy Haykin to headline premier business event on January 23

East Bay USA each year offers an outstanding half-day program focused on both the region and the national economic and political landscape. “It gives attendees the opportunity to gain a broader perspective on issues that will affect them now and in the future,” says Tom Terrill, Council president and CEO. “We gather a range of outstanding business, economic and technological thinkers and innovators, and ask them to share their knowledge and excitement about what lies ahead. It’s always a thoughtful and informative exchange.”

East Bay USA opens at 8 a.m. with registration, exhibits and networking. The program begins promptly at 9 a.m. and runs through lunch, adjourning at 2 p.m. and reconvening at 5:30 p.m. for a reception and a 7 p.m. dinner presentation.

Geoff Colvin, award-winning thinker, author, broadcaster and speaker on today's most significant trends in business, and a longtime editor and columnist for FORTUNE magazine, will be the keynote dinner speaker. Colvin will offer his perspective on Washington and how the nation’s financial issues connect to the regional economy. Following the keynote, Colvin will be joined by the always spirited Christopher Thornberg, founding partner of Beacon Economics, for a discussion moderated by emcee Ann Notarangelo of KPIX Channel 5 News.

Economist Thornberg will open the morning program with his views of current trends in the regional economy. A moderated morning panel discussion about alternative transportation, technology and the marketplace will feature Chris Hedden and Michael Fischer of Cambridge Systematics and Chris Weeks of Sunset Development/Bishop Ranch. The panel will be moderated by Randy Iwasaki, who heads the Contra Costa Transportation Authority. A second panel on new technologies at work in the region will feature Rich Stump of FATHOM, Ulrik Grape of SEEO and Sean Chang of The Clorox Company.

Luncheon speaker will be Randy Haykin of Outlook Ventures, who will talk about getting technology to market, venture-capital hurdles and opportunities in the region.

Visit www.eastbayleadershipcouncil.com for a information and a registration link. To sign up as a sponsor or exhibitor, contact the Council office at tshoaff@eblcmail.org or call 925.246.1880.

About the East Bay Leadership Council (formerly the Contra Costa Council): The Council, also referred to as the EBLC, is a private sector, public policy organization with a membership that includes business, nonprofit organizations, government, education and labor. The mission of the Council is to provide advocacy on public policy issues affecting the economic vitality and quality of life in the Greater East Bay region. For more information, see www.eastbayleadershipcouncil.com and follow us on twitter at @EBLConline and Facebook.