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Orange County Team Contact Information

Greetings from the desk of Don Hicks...  

As we deal with the challenges of a struggling economy we can take comfort in the knowledge that we're not the automobile industry. The auto industry is very heavily regulated, not just regarding emissions and safety, but manufacturing practices, after-sale servicing, international trade, and even how the product is distributed and sold to the end-user. And the regulations can counter each other: While government was demanding that auto manufacturers improve their fuel efficiency, they were buying large SUVs for small business owners (SUV tax credit).

I bring this up because while we must focus on running our businesses and achieving our goals, in good times and bad, we must always be aware of outside influences, like government regulations, that can affect our strategies. Over 100,000 laws are proposed in state legislatures each year and any one of them could impact your business. Of course, AeA members have the tools to track legislation and are kept aware of what AeA is doing to ward off bad laws.

Please join us in advancing the business of technology.

There is another reason I wanted to bring up the troubles of the auto industry. I wanted to pay tribute to a friend of mine, Donald Petersen, former president, CEO and Chairman of Ford Motor Company. Donald Petersen became president of Ford in 1980 when Ford lost $2.2B, the largest single-year corporate loss in U.S. history. As president and COO, Donald Petersen raised Ford's market share while lowering Ford's operating costs by $12M per day. By 1984, Ford made a $2.91B profit, owned 19.2% of the U.S. market, and owned the largest market share in Europe. Donald Petersen was promoted to CEO and Chairman of Ford in 1985. By the time Mr. Petersen retired in 1989, Ford was more profitable than GM and Chrysler combined!

There is a model to save Detroit.

Have a happy holiday season.

Regards,

Don Hicks AeA/OC Executive Director

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This Week's
AeA Member Spotlight

Expresso Fitness(R) Receives Additional $14 Million in Funding Capital to Drive Growth of Company's Portfolio

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Dec. 8 /PRNewswire/ — Expresso Fitness(R), the leading supplier and developer of interactive cardio fitness systems, announced today that it has completed a debt and equity funding event for a total of $14M. The capital will be used to fuel Expresso's revenue growth by expanding the company's product portfolio and market reach. Silicon Valley Bank opened a new $7 million working capital line with Expresso. The equity round was joined by all existing investors including Sierra Ventures, Physic Ventures, and Enterprise Partners Venture Capital...read more.  To learn more about Silicon Valley Bank, please click here.

Emulex Appoints Steve Daheb as Chief Marketing Officer Venerated Marketing Leader to Drive Cohesive Global Marketing Initiatives

COSTA MESA, Calif., December 8, 2008 - Emulex Corporation (NYSE:ELX) today announced the appointment of Steve Daheb to the role of company chief marketing officer (CMO). In this position, Daheb will lead the company's unified global marketing initiatives, including product and solution marketing, corporate business development, strategic alliances and routes to market. Daheb reports directly to Emulex chief operations officer (COO), Jeff Benck...read more. To learn more about Emulex, please click here.

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Upcoming Events

02.5.08 - Growth Matters: OC Technology Business Showcase

Join us during AeA Orange County's official Growth Matters event Technology  Business Showcase Feb. 5, 2009, at Renaissance Club Sport, Aliso Viejo, CA. Kick of the new year with great connections by plugging into the Orange County technology community to meet honest-to-goodness, real life, established, payroll paying, revenue producing companies. With Haskell & White as the title sponsor, and Renaissance ClubSport as the Associate Sponsor, the showcase will feature AeA member companies displaying their products in an atmosphere of power networking. Among the fun, food, and networking, the mixer will feature fast pitches from showcasing AeA companies including Alvaka Networks, CMS Products ,Jayco MEMEO, NetGuru, Raptor Networks, StacoSystems and SYSPRO. Also see our service providers including title sponsor Haskell & White, and associate sponsor Renaissance ClubSport.  Registration is $25 for members and $35 for non-members, and $50 at the door for members and non-members.  Admission includes an hour of hosted beverages, desserts and appetizers. Come join us for an exciting networking event....and please don't forget your business cards!  Register Today!

2.10 - 2.11.09 - Green Manufacturing Conference

In this uncertain economy, there is no better time to implement effective cost-saving strategies. If you have been looking for solutions and methods to decrease costs while improving your products and operations, then Green Manufacturing: Business Strategies for Sustainability is for you! Read more.

Local Council Events - AeA Events Calendar

Compushare, Inc., a California Corporation headquartered in Orange County, is a Financial Technology Management company that enables community financial institutions to focus on their operations, franchise value and safety. Their expertise and CIOTHiNK! business approach toward technology performance and compliance assures strategic success. Founded in 1995, Compushare provides technology services and compliance services on an outsourced basis that address business concerns in Strategy, Safety, Soundness and Support.

Global Human Resources Outsourcing is a division of 1st Flagship, a woman-owned small business focused on capturing service industry opportunities that leverage our company’s core competencies and capabilities. Since 1964, 1st Flagship has been achieving worldwide recognition for effective management, and technical competency. With the natural expansion into the Human Resources Outsourcing field, 1st Flagship continues its growth as a highly respected and naturally talented services provider to our clients. In addition, GHRO’S team of highly experienced professionals, bring nearly 100 years of experience in many industries including Bio Tech, Pharmaceutical, Software, Telecommunications, Aviation, Entertainment, Manufacturing, Aerospace, Banking, Property management, Retail, Real Estate Restaurant and Government Services.

AMP Inc. has provided products of the highest quality. A leader in memory products for OEM's and resellers worldwide, we are dedicated to providing cost-effective, high-performance memory products to meet our customers' needs.

Toshiba Logistics America, Inc. Provides logistics for Toshiba products and services.

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Member Resources

 

 

AeA Offers FREE Information Technology Training
Thanks to a second round of funding in the amount of $603,664 by the California Employment Training Panel (ETP), AeA, the nation’s largest high-tech trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, will once again partner with Saisoft, Inc. to deliver fully subsidized, state-funded IT training for qualified technology employees in California. The funds from the first round of funding approved in March 2008 for $604,800 will be exhausted by the end of November. To date, 426 California employees representing 201 companies have received free IT training under this program...read more

with

Through an agreement with PartnerShip LLC, a freight management provider, AeA member companies receive significant discounts on small parcel and large freight shipments sent via FedEx®, Yellow Transportation and UPS Freight^SM. Click here to enroll or learn more.

 

AeA's Salary Survey provides you with the information you need to ensure you are compensating your valuable employees at the current market value. Unlike other products on the market, with AeA's online subscription, you are able to access fresh data anytime, day or night. We are your resource for:

• Current Data within 15 months - Updated daily, and year-round to ensure you have the most up-to-date market data available.

• Custom Reports at no extra cost - The database is searchable using parameters you choose. You may sort based on region, industry, company type, etc.

• High-Tech Industry Specific for data accuracy - High-tech companies participate nationwide, providing comprehensive data for your geographically dispersed staff.

• Free Access - AeA Members receive a complimentary annual subscription, just for participating.

To participate or subscribe, go to our secure Surveys site at: http://survey.aeanet.org

 

 

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Join AeA Today!

 

In addition to exclusive product and program discounts, dynamic networking events, access to investors, executive education and development programs, opportunities to influence government policies, and brand exposure through membership participation, new members will also receive BounceBack Professional 8.0 software, courtesy of AeA member CMS Products, while supplies lasts. Software features include unlimited vault size, allows you to create as many Vaults as your available space allows, and supports Windows Vista, XP, 2000 and Server 2000/2003. Contact Alan Wald today at 949-450-1500 x104 or Alan_Wald@aeanet.org for details!

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Orange County Team

AeA Orange County Council

Don Hicks, Executive Director

Alan Wald, Director, Membership Development

Yalanda Oglesby, Program Marketing & Event Manager, Editor