MEDIA CONTACT:
Rebecca Hellwig, Communications Manager
(559) 495-4818, rhellwig@fresnochamber.com
Fresno, CA (January 23, 2012) – On Friday, January 27th, 2012, the Fresno Chamber of Commerce will host its 118th Annual Membership & Installation Dinner at the New Exhibit Hall in Downtown Fresno. The theme of this year’s banquet is “A City on the Move” and will focus on transportation in California’s Central Valley.
A presentation on the theme of transportation would not be complete without discussion related to the possibility of High Speed Rail in the State. To date, Governor Brown has been highly supportive of the project and recently appointed transportation veteran, Dan Richard, as the project’s new Chairman. On Friday, Chairman Richard will share a preview of the vision he shares with Governor Brown with the business community and will discuss the importance of High Speed Rail for the Central Valley and California. Chairman Richard will be introduced by High Speed Rail Board Member and Fresno Business Leader, Tom Richards of the Penstar Group.
Currently, Mr. Richard is not only the Chairman of the High Speed Rail, but also Principal of Dan Richard Advisors. He received his Juris Doctor degree from McGeorge School of Law before he began his career at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). He followed this by becoming an advisor to the Chairman of the California Energy Commission and then serving Governor Brown during his first term as the Deputy Legal Affairs Secretary and Deputy Assistant for Science and Technology. From that point, he served various firms in the independent power industry as a vice president, a principal, a managing partner before becoming Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Governmental Relations at Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Richard was an elected member of the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, serving twice as president of the Board and leading efforts to secure $4 billion in capital for various rehabilitation, expansion and retrofit projects.
Chamber CEO, Al Smith was particularly enthusiastic about the event’s key note speaker, “With the high visibility of the project and conversations currently surrounding it, Chairman Richard’s appearance will allow the business community to look at the details of High Speed Rail’s future.” Mr. Smith went on to say “I’d encourage anyone with something to say about this revolutionary project to join us for the evening and take part in the conversation.”
Tickets for the 118th Annual Membership & Installation Dinner at the New Exhibit Hall in Downtown Fresno will be available for purchase until Wednesday, January 25th. For more information, contact the Fresno Chamber of Commerce at (559) 495-4800.
Click Here to Register Online Today!!!
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