Business leaders discuss green initiatives

(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Sept. 3, 2010) Four leaders in the region's business community will discuss green business initiatives at the first event in the California Lutheran University 2010-2011 Corporate Leaders Breakfast Series.

The breakfast and panel discussion will be held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum in Simi Valley.

Panelists are Bill Buratto, president and CEO of the Ventura County Economic Development Association, Bill Camarillo, CEO of Agromin Premium Soil Products, and Steve Gill, co-founder and co-owner of Gills Onions LLC.

In addition to leading VCEDA, Buratto serves on the Community Commission of Ventura County, the Ventura County Civic Alliance, and the Business and Technology Partnership at California State University, Channel Islands. Under Camarillo's leadership, Agromin is one of the largest organics recyclers in the United States, formulating more than 200 eco-friendly organic soil products. Gills Onions was the world's first onion processing company and Gill is passionate about exploring new technologies and methods to maximize resource conservation and efficiency. Henry Dubroff, chairman and editor of the Pacific Coast Business Times, will moderate.

The panelists will discuss the Green Coast Innovation Zone, an economic development group with members from San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties focused on re-inventing the region's economy using clean technology, energy efficiency and greener building practices as a springboard to growth. Dubroff co-founded the group and all the panelists are involved in the effort. The panelists will also discuss other sustainability initiatives and possible consequences.

The Corporate Leaders Breakfast Series brings members of the business and civic communities together to share ideas and hear from prominent leaders in the region. The series will continue with presentations by John Shields, former chairman and CEO of Trader Joe's on Nov. 9, CNBC business reporter Jane Wells on Jan. 27, a panel of business leaders involved in sustainability efforts in the San Fernando Valley on March 15, and John Krist, CEO of the Farm Bureau of Ventura County, on May 5. The San Fernando Valley panel will be held at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills. All the others will take place in CLU's Lundring Events Center.

The Sept. 23 breakfast will be the only one held at the Reagan Library, which is located at 40 Presidential Drive. Reservations are requested by Friday, Sept. 17. To RSVP or for more information, contact Sharon Nelson at smnelso@callutheran.edu or (805) 493-3150, or go to http://www.callutheran.edu/clb.