A couple of times each month our Chamber CEO, Ted Owen, dons his white chef's jacket and prepares lunch for the Chamber staff members and a few guests. “Ted's Tuesday” is always a fun occasion, often a lot like Comedy Central, with happy banter about what is going on around the office or with families. After one or two servings of delicious, healthy, homemade lunch, each person in turn talks about what they are grateful for that day. This ritual often evokes more serious conversations, and always includes heartfelt thanks for co-workers and family, and of course, lunch.
I thought I would take a page from Ted's playbook and check in with some of my good friends around the community and ask “What are you grateful for”? Yes, this has been a particularly rough time for many, however as this year draws to a close, I am happy to share just a few of the bright spots in our community.
Rebecca Cofinas is Vice-President of Operations and Chief Operating Office at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas. Construction is underway on the new multi-story parking garage you see from the freeway with even more expansion to follow.
“I am grateful to work for a wonderful company like Scripps Health,” Rebecca said. “Even in this difficult economy, Scripps has continued to grow, invest in new buildings and equipment, and offer new jobs. With healthcare reform fast approaching, our executive leadership is proactively working to try to significantly reduce costs while maintaining our excellent quality and secure jobs. To work in a company with dedicated staff and physicians, where the primary focus is on the people and their welfare is what I am eternally grateful for.”
Dr. John Roach is District Superintendent of Carlsbad Unified School District. He has been busily overseeing a large-scale program of upgrading school facilities throughout the community.
“Carlsbad Unified School District daily strives to provide a world-class education to each of its nearly 11,000 K-12 students,” Dr. Roach said. “In these difficult financial times, I am particularly grateful for our family of excellent teachers and support staff as well as our enthusiastic learners and their parents. I especially appreciate the Carlsbad community, whose approval of the $198 million Prop P bond measure enabled the renovation of our schools, which in turn encourages student achievement.”
Kristianne Kurner is Founder and Executive Artistic Director of New Village Arts, the award-winning professional regional theatre located in the Village of Carlsbad. Kristianne and her dedicated staff recently produced two of their most ambitious projects ever, at the same time!
“I'm grateful for the City of Carlsbad for its support of NVA and belief that the arts are a vital element to a healthy, thriving community,” Kristianne said. “I'm also grateful for Jazzercise, Inc. for its leadership and mentorship of NVA through all 10 years of our existence. And I'm grateful for the people of New Village Arts for creating the best workplace imaginable where I am lucky enough to work with my family (including my incredible son Jonah), friends, peers and some of the best patrons, sponsors, volunteers and artists anywhere in California. There is so much to be grateful for.”
Peter MacLaggan is Senior Vice President of Poseidon Resources Corp. With his ever-present good humor, Peter has led the charge with vigor and determination to bring the desalination plant to Carlsbad.
“After 10 long years of development, I'm very grateful the Carlsbad Desalination project is finally under construction,” Peter said. “Initial site preparation is underway and the construction activity will be in full swing next year. In 2013, we will be able to turn on our taps at our homes and businesses and enjoy a drought-proof supply of high-quality drinking water from the Pacific Ocean!”
John Haedrich, owner of Tip Top Meats/European Deli, is a big guy with an even bigger heart. “Big John” shared with me that after growing up in fear in Nazi Germany then immigrating to the United States in 1959, he is now living the American dream.
“At age 82, I am grateful to be in a good business where I enjoy coming to work everyday, seven days a week,” John said. “I am grateful for my good health, my friends, my community and the wonderful people in North County, and of course my staff and good customers. Freedom is very precious and means a lot to me. I am grateful to live in freedom, in this country, in Carlsbad.”
Ofie Escobedo is co-owner of Lola's 7-Up Mexican Market and Deli, a favorite spot to gather for authentic Mexican food located in the southern area of the Village. Lola's, established by Ofie's parents in 1943, is the oldest family-owned business in Carlsbad.
“In the early 1900s immigrants from Mexico were instrumental and influential in developing the city of Carlsbad, its business community and family neighborhoods,” Ofie said. “Manuel Castorena started a produce business, became the second mayor of Carlsbad and was a founder of the Rotary Club. I am grateful that I returned to Carlsbad in 1985 to continue the family business with my two sisters, Connie and Frances. I have poured my passion into the barrio community in hopes of enhancing this area into the overall beauty of Carlsbad. I am also grateful for the city's support to preserve the culture and heritage of our early days.
Peter Ronchetti is General Manager LEGOLAND California. The resort opened the world's first LEGO themed water park which has just been awarded the Industry Innovation Award from the World Waterpark Association. The company will further grow its investment in the resort with attractions designed for young families looking to play and learn together.
“Despite the untraditional summer weather and continuing economic stress, we have had a very strong season and will once again report record attendance,” Peter said. “There are many aspects of business life here in Carlsbad that I am extremely grateful for, not least of all the help and support that the city, a whole range of stakeholders and of course the people of Carlsbad have given the resort over the past 11 years (and continue to do so). Perhaps above all, I value the optimistic and positive outlook of the 1000-plus colleagues who I work with here, who so often exemplify can-do mentality in practice.”
Ted Owen is President and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber continues to thrive in spite of difficult economy, and is the second-largest chamber in San Diego County and tenth largest in California.
“I am thankful that I have been given the best job in America,” Ted said. “It's the best because I get to work with Toni, Bev, Bonnie, Colleen, Deveney, Edgar, Julie, Kristina, Lundin, Lynn and 1,600 great businesses. It's the best because Carlsbad is spelled U-T-O-P-I-A. It's the best because I have a board of 40 tremendous community leaders. It's the best because the city of Carlsbad has 1,100 top-notch professional employees. I don't care what you do for a living, if you love it, you are a success.”
And finally, I am grateful for time — the time I have to share with my family, colleagues, clients and friends, the time I have to offer to those who need it and the time to pursue my interests in a caring community robust in opportunities and goodwill.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
I thought I would take a page from Ted's playbook and check in with some of my good friends around the community and ask “What are you grateful for”? Yes, this has been a particularly rough time for many, however as this year draws to a close, I am happy to share just a few of the bright spots in our community.
Rebecca Cofinas is Vice-President of Operations and Chief Operating Office at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas. Construction is underway on the new multi-story parking garage you see from the freeway with even more expansion to follow.
“I am grateful to work for a wonderful company like Scripps Health,” Rebecca said. “Even in this difficult economy, Scripps has continued to grow, invest in new buildings and equipment, and offer new jobs. With healthcare reform fast approaching, our executive leadership is proactively working to try to significantly reduce costs while maintaining our excellent quality and secure jobs. To work in a company with dedicated staff and physicians, where the primary focus is on the people and their welfare is what I am eternally grateful for.”
Dr. John Roach is District Superintendent of Carlsbad Unified School District. He has been busily overseeing a large-scale program of upgrading school facilities throughout the community.
“Carlsbad Unified School District daily strives to provide a world-class education to each of its nearly 11,000 K-12 students,” Dr. Roach said. “In these difficult financial times, I am particularly grateful for our family of excellent teachers and support staff as well as our enthusiastic learners and their parents. I especially appreciate the Carlsbad community, whose approval of the $198 million Prop P bond measure enabled the renovation of our schools, which in turn encourages student achievement.”
Kristianne Kurner is Founder and Executive Artistic Director of New Village Arts, the award-winning professional regional theatre located in the Village of Carlsbad. Kristianne and her dedicated staff recently produced two of their most ambitious projects ever, at the same time!
“I'm grateful for the City of Carlsbad for its support of NVA and belief that the arts are a vital element to a healthy, thriving community,” Kristianne said. “I'm also grateful for Jazzercise, Inc. for its leadership and mentorship of NVA through all 10 years of our existence. And I'm grateful for the people of New Village Arts for creating the best workplace imaginable where I am lucky enough to work with my family (including my incredible son Jonah), friends, peers and some of the best patrons, sponsors, volunteers and artists anywhere in California. There is so much to be grateful for.”
Peter MacLaggan is Senior Vice President of Poseidon Resources Corp. With his ever-present good humor, Peter has led the charge with vigor and determination to bring the desalination plant to Carlsbad.
“After 10 long years of development, I'm very grateful the Carlsbad Desalination project is finally under construction,” Peter said. “Initial site preparation is underway and the construction activity will be in full swing next year. In 2013, we will be able to turn on our taps at our homes and businesses and enjoy a drought-proof supply of high-quality drinking water from the Pacific Ocean!”
John Haedrich, owner of Tip Top Meats/European Deli, is a big guy with an even bigger heart. “Big John” shared with me that after growing up in fear in Nazi Germany then immigrating to the United States in 1959, he is now living the American dream.
“At age 82, I am grateful to be in a good business where I enjoy coming to work everyday, seven days a week,” John said. “I am grateful for my good health, my friends, my community and the wonderful people in North County, and of course my staff and good customers. Freedom is very precious and means a lot to me. I am grateful to live in freedom, in this country, in Carlsbad.”
Ofie Escobedo is co-owner of Lola's 7-Up Mexican Market and Deli, a favorite spot to gather for authentic Mexican food located in the southern area of the Village. Lola's, established by Ofie's parents in 1943, is the oldest family-owned business in Carlsbad.
“In the early 1900s immigrants from Mexico were instrumental and influential in developing the city of Carlsbad, its business community and family neighborhoods,” Ofie said. “Manuel Castorena started a produce business, became the second mayor of Carlsbad and was a founder of the Rotary Club. I am grateful that I returned to Carlsbad in 1985 to continue the family business with my two sisters, Connie and Frances. I have poured my passion into the barrio community in hopes of enhancing this area into the overall beauty of Carlsbad. I am also grateful for the city's support to preserve the culture and heritage of our early days.
Peter Ronchetti is General Manager LEGOLAND California. The resort opened the world's first LEGO themed water park which has just been awarded the Industry Innovation Award from the World Waterpark Association. The company will further grow its investment in the resort with attractions designed for young families looking to play and learn together.
“Despite the untraditional summer weather and continuing economic stress, we have had a very strong season and will once again report record attendance,” Peter said. “There are many aspects of business life here in Carlsbad that I am extremely grateful for, not least of all the help and support that the city, a whole range of stakeholders and of course the people of Carlsbad have given the resort over the past 11 years (and continue to do so). Perhaps above all, I value the optimistic and positive outlook of the 1000-plus colleagues who I work with here, who so often exemplify can-do mentality in practice.”
Ted Owen is President and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber continues to thrive in spite of difficult economy, and is the second-largest chamber in San Diego County and tenth largest in California.
“I am thankful that I have been given the best job in America,” Ted said. “It's the best because I get to work with Toni, Bev, Bonnie, Colleen, Deveney, Edgar, Julie, Kristina, Lundin, Lynn and 1,600 great businesses. It's the best because Carlsbad is spelled U-T-O-P-I-A. It's the best because I have a board of 40 tremendous community leaders. It's the best because the city of Carlsbad has 1,100 top-notch professional employees. I don't care what you do for a living, if you love it, you are a success.”
And finally, I am grateful for time — the time I have to share with my family, colleagues, clients and friends, the time I have to offer to those who need it and the time to pursue my interests in a caring community robust in opportunities and goodwill.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all.