Teamwork in Business - CEO Interview - Bill Shumard, Southern California Special Olympics - January 24, 2010 - Segment Three

Interview with President & CEO of Special Olympics Southern California, Bill Shumard.

“Special Olympics changes lives through the power of sport. Our athletes are more likely to have a job, develop long-lasting friendships and have improved health due in large part to the self-confidence, acceptance and support of our movement.” — Bill Shumard

Shumard’s vision for the organization is to radically grow the number of athletes served, and he has instituted an aggressive Strategic Plan and accompanying business model to help achieve that goal. SOSC’s original base of 10,000 athletes grew by approximately 30% over the first three years of Shumard’s tenure, with much of that growth credited to new partnerships with school districts within SOSC’s footprint. Revenue generation has also been key to the organization’s recent growth. During the first three years of Shumard’s tenure, revenues increased from $6 million to $8 million annually as SOSC moved to strategically grow and strengthen its revenue streams including a strong emphasis on major and planned gifts, and internet fundraising.

Prior to coming to SOSC, Shumard enjoyed a long and successful career in sports management at both the professional and collegiate levels, enjoying associations with teams and programs that enjoyed both competitive and financial success. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree in journalism from California State University, Long Beach in 1972, Shumard was named as CSULB’s Sports Information Director. One year later, he moved to CSU Los Angeles to assume the same position for two years.

2Minutes&More with Betsy Berkhemer and Renee Fraser airs every Sunday at 1pm on KFWB NEWS TALK 980. Tune in for a full hour of tips for business success.

Finding a Job or Finding Employees - CEO Interview with Madelyn Alfano, Maria’s Italian Kitchen - January 10, 2010 - Segment Three

Interview with Owner and CEO of Maria’s Italian Kitchen, Madelyn Alfano. Madelyn is one of California’s most successful restaurant owners. She believes that food is not just a necessity or pleasure, but a lifelong passion. Inspired by her parents and life in a large Italian family, Madelyn blends the finest ingredients, traditions and new ideas with the best aspects of family life to create a truly unique dining experience at Maria’s Italian Kitchen.

With headquarters in Van Nuys, Calif., and more than 400 employees, Maria’s Italian Kitchen is among the leading privately owned restaurant chains in the state. Today, there are 10 Maria’s Italian Kitchens, including the newest locations, Maria’s Downtown located in the financial district of downtown Los Angeles and her new concept store, Maria’s Express, a venue designed for customers on the go in the heart of Los Angeles. With every community Madelyn joins, she offers healthy, quality food with hospitable service in a casual yet elegant and friendly atmosphere.

2Minutes&More with Betsy Berkhemer and Renee Fraser airs every Sunday at 1pm on KFWB NEWS TALK 980. Tune in for a full hour of tips for business success.

Corporate Social Responsibility - Interview - Michael Besancon - Whole Foods Markets - January 3, 2010 - Segment Three

Interview with Michael Besançon, Senior Global Vice President of Purchasing, Distribution and Marketing for Whole Foods Markets. Michael has chaired Whole Foods Market’s National Green Mission Task Force and helped the Company lead the charge for environmentally sustainable practices which range from promoting sustainable agriculture and creating farm animal treatment standards to store recycling and composting programs. In January 2006 Whole Foods Market announced a landmark purchase of renewable energy credits from wind farms to offset 100% of the electricity used in all of its U.S.offices, stores and facilities. This was the largest wind energy credit purchase in the history of North America and made Whole Foods Market the only Fortune 500 company to do so. And on Earth Day, April 22, 2008 Whole Foods Market discontinued the use of plastic grocery carry out bags in all their stores worldwide.

2Minutes&More with Betsy Berkhemer and Renee Fraser airs every Sunday at 1pm on KFWB NEWS TALK 980. Tune in for a full hour of tips for business success.

Public Relations and Publicity - CEO Interview, Matt Toledo, CEO & Publisher of LABJ - December 20, 2009 - Segment Three

Interview with Matt Toledo, CEO & Publisher of the Los Angeles Business Journal. Under Mr. Toledo’s leadership the Los Angeles Business Journal has received numerous editorial awards both locally and nationally including; Best Newspaper - Association of Area Business Publications 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2004; Best Business Weekly - Society of American Business Editors and Writers; (SABEW) 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002 and 2004.

Originally from Chicago but reared in Northern California, Mr. Toledo is a graduate of San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration and a minor in Fine Arts. Mr. Toledo and his wife Lisa live in Malibu and have two daughters.

The Green Sector - CEO Interview - Geraldine Knatz, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles - December 13, 2009 - Segment Three

CEO Interview, Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles. In January 2006 she became the first female executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. She oversees the daily operations and internal management of the nation’s number one containerport. Moving the Port of Los Angeles forward with an agenda that focuses on responsible Port growth and environmental leadership is an aggressive goal that Dr. Knatz has tackled from day one. Reducing air emissions, eliminating health risks and expanding capital development programs to accommodate the Port’s future growth as a premiere Pacific gateway and national economic engine are top priorities at the Port under the leadership of Dr. Knatz.

www.PortofLosAngeles.org is where small businesses can learn about how to do business with the Port of LA. Also learn at their educational programs at the STEP Academy.