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Presenting Sponsor
High-speed rail is headed to the Inland Empire. And we can't wait. Brightline West, a Brightline-affiliated company, will connect the 260 miles between Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
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Approximately 50 million one-way trips are made annually between these two destinations, with 85% of them by car or bus. Brightline West expects to attract approximately 12 million one-way trips at full operations each year.
The elevated train experience residents and tourists have come to expect (and love) in South Florida will be offered along this route as well, including but not limited to: free onboard Wi-Fi, fully ADA accessibility from station to train, a wide selection of food and beverage, checked luggage and hotel check-in services.
KEY FACTS:
- Expected travel time is approx. 2 ¼ hours
- Our route is 2x faster than driving
- Zero-emission, electric train sets
- Expected top speed is 180 mph
- 400,000 tons of CO2 removed annually by reducing 3 million vehicles
- Connections to Metrolink and planned future connection to California High-Speed Rail in Palmdale
- Convenient station location on the Vegas strip (I-15)
Speakers
Sarah Watterson is responsible for all aspects of business development and delivery for Brightline West, including the transit-oriented development and rail infrastructure strategy, design, and execution. She was most recently the Head of Development at Florida East Coast Industries, a multi-faceted real estate and transportation company headquartered in South Florida. Sarah has been employed by Fortress Investment Group or its affiliates in various leadership capacities since 2011.
Previously, Sarah was the CEO of Drive Shack (NYSE:DS), an owner and operator of 75+ golf courses. During her time at Drive Shack, she internalized the management of the company, converted the company from a REIT to an operating company, and built out a new business line called Drive Shack, which nationally develops and operates a 10+ acre technology-driven entertainment driving range facility.
Sarah helped lead the acquisition, ownership syndication, and restructuring of the Milwaukee Bucks for Fortress owner Wes Edens and co-owner Marc Lasry. Following the team's acquisition, Sarah moved to Milwaukee to work on developing a 725,000 SF arena and 20 acres of surrounding mixed-use development.
Fiona
Ma, CPA
CA State Treasurer at Office of the California State Treasurer
https://www.treasurer.ca.gov/index.aspFiona Ma is California’s 34th State Treasurer. She was elected on November 6, 2018 with more votes (7,825,587) than any other candidate for treasurer in the state's history. She is the first woman of color and the first woman Certified Public Accountant (CPA) elected to the position. The State Treasurer’s Office was created in the California Constitution in 1849. It provides financing for schools, roads, housing, recycling and waste management, hospitals, public facilities, and other crucial infrastructure projects that better the lives of residents. California is the world’s fifth-largest economy and Treasurer Ma is the state’s primary banker. Her office processes more than $2 trillion in payments within a typical year. She provides transparency and oversight for the government’s investment portfolio and accounts, as well as for the state’s surplus funds. Treasurer Ma oversees an investment portfolio of more than $102 billion, approximately $20 billion of which are local government funds. She serves as agent for sale for all State bonds, and is trustee on over $100 billion of outstanding debt.
Ray Wolfe
Executive Director of San Bernardino County Transportation Authority
https://www.gosbcta.com/Dr. Raymond Wolfe is the Executive Director of the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA). He joined SBCTA in April 2012 after spending more than 20 years with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). At Caltrans, Dr. Wolfe served in many capacities, including Director for District 8, covering both San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. He began his career as an aerospace engineer at General Dynamics Corporation in Pomona and then Rancho Cucamonga testing missiles.
Currently, he manages a budget of nearly one billion dollars and oversees the delivery of planning, design, and construction of freeway improvements, bridges, and railroad crossings; expansion of commuter rail and transit services countywide; management of air quality programs and freeway service patrol; implementation of alternative fuel and energy programs; and, advocating for countywide interests at both the state and federal levels.
Dr. Wolfe received his Doctorate in Civil Engineering from the University of Southern California, a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Southern California. He is a Registered Civil Engineer and a Registered Mechanical Engineer in California.
In 2019, Ray was recognized by the University of Southern California’s Department of Civil Engineering with the Distinguished Alumni Award. The Inland Empire Economic Partnership bestowed on him the President’s Award in 2020. He has twice been recognized with the prestigious Secretary Ray LaHood Award by the Advancing Women in Transportation (WTS); once in 2016 by the WTS-Inland Empire Chapter, and in 2018 by the WTS-Orange County
Matt Burris
Deputy City Manager of Community Development at City of Rancho Cucamonga
https://www.cityofrc.us/
Edward
Ornelas, Jr.
President/CEO of Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce
https://www.iechamber.orgTo learn about membership engagement opportunities with the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce schedule a call with Edward directly at https://calendly.com/edwardornelasjr/meeting
Connect with Edward on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardornelasjr/
Sponsors and Partners
Organizer
Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce (IERCC)
The Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce (IERCC) supports the interests of commerce and economic prosperity throughout Riverside & San Bernardino Counties.
The IERCC provides a platform for senior-level executives to engage, network, and conduct business with like-minded individuals from all over the Inland Empire region. Many of our members are individuals who actively contribute to the Inland Empire Business Industry's growth and advancement.
The IERCC is not a cookie-cutter chamber. We are a proactive non-profit business organization striving to bring true value to our members.
All of our membership packages are customized and tailored to fit the needs, interests, and initiatives of our members.
Presenting Sponsor
County of San Bernardino
Countywide Vision Statement
We envision a complete county that capitalizes on the diversity of its people, its geography, and its economy to create a broad range of choices for its residents in how they live, work, and play.
We envision a vibrant economy with a skilled workforce that attracts employers who seize the opportunities presented by the county's unique advantages and provide the jobs that create countywide prosperity.
We envision a sustainable system of high-quality education, community health, public safety, housing, retail, recreation, arts and culture, and infrastructure, in which development complements our natural resources and environment.
We envision a model community which is governed in an open and ethical manner, where great ideas are replicated and brought to scale, and all sectors work collaboratively to reach shared goals.
From our valleys, across our mountains, and into our deserts, we envision a county that is a destination for visitors and a home for anyone seeking a sense of community and the best life has to offer.
Featuring
Brightline West
Brightline is the only privately owned and operated intercity railroad in the United States. We’re not here to brag about it, but that fact does mean we do things a bit differently.
We’re reimagining travel in America by building easy, efficient, and eco-friendly routes between some of the country’s best cities. It’s a safer, greener way to travel and, if you ask us, it’s also a lot more fun. From in-station lounges complete with charcuterie to seamless transfers to get you from our stations to your door, we’re making everyday travel a little bit better every day.
Catering by
Felipe's Catering
Felipe's Catering offers Full-Service buffet-style banquets, perfect for weddings, office parties, birthday celebrations, reunions, or any special occasion. We provide different menus to accommodate your budget.
Felipe´s has an extensive menu that offers a variety of dishes and cuisines from many regions of Mexico. In addition to our delicious traditional Mexican food offerings, we also feature other favorites such as American and Italian-style foods. We can customize your special occasion to suit your needs and your guests.
Felipe´s has always taken pride in using quality products and nothing artificial. Our main entrees are grilled or simmered in their natural juices. All of our salsas and sauces are from scratch using fresh and dried chiles. Felipe has a passion for evolving his skills in the kitchen and making his clients happy with his memorable flavors.
We will be honored to serve you and your guests at your next event.
Desserts by
The Freaky Cookie
Here at The Freaky Cookie, our mission has always been to Create And Inspire Fun Experiences. We consider ourselves rebels. Going against the status quo of what cookie manufacture should look like. But, we love it. And we'll continue to strive and bring out the inner cookie lover in each and every one of us.
https://thefreakycookie.com/"This will transform transportation in Southern California and Las Vegas for generations by providing a fast and efficient connection that gets people out of their cars, reduces traffic congestion and decreases air pollution."
- Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer
Tickets
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Reserve TicketReserved for Inland Empire Regional Chamber members only.
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