California versus Texas: The Ultimate Showdown to Grow Globally

In one of my favorite globinars by Global Chamber® in 2021, we had 4 extraordinary economic development leaders square off, 2 on 2, in an ultimate battle: "California versus Texas: The Ultimate Showdown to Grow Globally".

Which state is better for companies seeking global success?

Listen and watch the program HERE.

You're going to be surprised!! And you'll be impressed by all these leaders.

For Texas...

• Jenna Saucedo-Herrera - President and CEO at San Antonio Economic Development Foundation (SAEDF)
• Maher Maso - Principal, Site Selection and Business Incentives at Ryan

For California...

• Barry Broome - President and CEO at Greater Sacramento Economic Council
• Christine Peterson, J.D. - Director of International Trade & Investment at the Mayor's Office at the City of Los Angeles

Wherever you locate your business, recognize that Work from Home (WFH) facilitates your success through talented people anywhere and everywhere. We understand that each of these two states have hot markets and advantages for different businesses... despite the net migration from CA to TX for the past decades.

There are reasons why you'd want to be in Texas and California.You'll learn many of these here.

Hear from the experts including questions about where things are and where they're headed. Jeffrey Garza Walker, Sr. VP of Cresa Phoenix weighed in with cross state data and more.... and created some additional levity to the event!

How can recent developments and regional advantages benefit your business?

Moderators and leaders:

• Christopher Herring - Executive Director at Global Chamber® San Antonio
• Nelson Olavarrieta - Executive Director at Global Chamber® Dallas

Speakers

Jenna Saucedo-Herrera - President and CEO at San Antonio Economic Development Foundation (SAEDF). Jenna has been president and CEO of the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation (SAEDF) since 2016. In this capacity, she works with a talented team to advance the diversification and growth of the San Antonio regional economy through domestic and international business development, workforce development, partnerships and market strategies.

During her four-year tenure, SAEDF has secured over eighteen thousand jobs from 84 projects that include EY, Victory Capital, Booz Allen Hamilton, Hulu, OKIN BPS, TJX, Navistar, and Aisin AW.

Before joining SAEDF, Saucedo-Herrera served as Vice President of Public Affairs and Brand Management for CPS Energy where she led the economic development, corporate communications, marketing, and corporate social responsibility functions for the organization. Saucedo-Herrera has received accolades including: the “2015 Women in Leadership Award” and the “2017 40 Under 40: Woman of the Year Award” from the San Antonio Business Journal, acknowledgement by the San Antonio Express News in their “Women Who Run San Antonio” feature, and recognition in Culturemap’s “Top Texans Under 30”. She is an alumna of St. Mary’s University, with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing Management and a graduate of the Rice University Executive Education Program. She is also a member of the Texas Women’s Forum and the International Women’s Forum. Saucedo-Herrera also serves on several community boards and councils including: Visit San Antonio, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, BioBridge Global, EPIcenter, United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, San Antonio Medical Foundation, City Education Partners, and the UP Partnership.

Maher Maso - Principal, Site Selection and Business Incentives at Ryan at Ryan. Since 2018, Maher has been a Principal in site selection and business incentives at Ryan, the largest firm in the world dedicated exclusively to business tax. With more than 20 years of economic development experience in the public sector, Mr. Maso supports Ryan clients to improve profitability through business growth and development. Previously, Maher Maso served as the CEO of the Prosper Economic Development Corporation. Maher Maso also proudly served as Mayor of the City of Frisco from 2008-2017, named by the U.S. Census Bureau as the fastest growing city in the country in the last decade. Under Mayor Maso’s administration, the City of Frisco has received dozens of awards and attributions including Money Magazine “Best Places to Live List” and Allstate’s “Safe and Secure Communities List”

Maher Maso works to represent small and large companies to create public/private partnerships and to create jobs in communities by negotiating incentives and focusing on site selection. His initiatives as Mayor positioned the City of Frisco as a hub of first-class entertainment, sports and sports medicine including the home of the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Stars, FC Dallas and the world headquarters of the PGA.

He has been interviewed by Newsweek, The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, CNN, MSNBC, and others. Maher is a regular keynote speaker and has spoken globally for government, trade associations and corporations.

Barry Broome - President & CEO of Greater Sacramento Economic Council. Barry serves as the first President and CEO of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council. The organization is the catalyst for innovative growth strategies in the Capital Region of California. Barry is responsible for leading community-driven efforts to attract, grow, and scale new businesses; develop advanced industries; and guide new job-creation strategies throughout a six-county region. In his role, he has established the first public/private partnership economic development organization led by Chief Executive Officers in the State of California. The organization is led by 43 CEOs and 20 communities in the Greater Sacramento region.

Previously, Barry was the President and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) where he delivered more than 50,000 jobs and 250 company locates into the Phoenix region. Under his leadership, for six out of the ten years, GPEC was named one of the top economic organizations in North America by Site Selection Magazine. In 2013, he was also named Arizona Economic Developer of the Year, Arizona Real Estate Executive of the Year, and received the Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce award.

Prior to Arizona, Barry was the CEO of Southwest Michigan First (SMF), where he built an organization from the ground up, which was later listed in the top 20 companies in North America by Site Selection Magazine. In 2006, SMF was named one of the fast 50 companies in Inc. Magazine— the first nonprofit to have that honor. Barry built and co-developed venture funds, angel networks, and 31 new ventures – primarily in the life science space in the Kalamazoo region. Barry was named Michigan Economic Developer of the Year in 2001. Preceding Michigan, Barry led the economic development in Toledo, Ohio, where he completed the largest industrial deal in the history of the United States called Project Jeep; which was built on 450 acres of brownfields in the North Central Toledo area.

Barry’s been featured and interviewed for his work in global and national media outlets including the L.A. Times, Bloomberg, Forbes, and CNBC among other publications. In addition, he was the keynote speaker at Arizona State University’s 2009 graduation and has been a guest lecturer at the University of Chicago, Notre Dame, Arizona State University, University of Arizona, Kalamazoo College, and Western Michigan University.

Christine Peterson, J.D. - Director of International Trade & Investment at the Mayor's Office at the City of Los Angeles

Ms. Christine Peterson is the Director of International Trade & Investment for Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. She facilitates global trade opportunities, strengthens foreign government and business relationships, attracts foreign investment, and supports sea and air cargo for companies, workers, manufacturers and innovators in Los Angeles. Previously, Ms. Peterson was a Director of Innovation and Intellectual Property in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in the Executive Office of the President where she worked on negotiations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Ms. Peterson has also worked in the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce to promote U.S. exports. She was born in Anchorage and raised in Seattle. She holds a JD from American University Washington College of Law and a BA from Smith College.

Jeffrey Garza Walker - Sr. Vice President at Cresa Phoenix. As Senior Vice President, Jeffrey focuses on expanding Cresa’s capabilities in global portfolio services through key industrial clients with requirements in Latin America. Additionally, he assists companies in Latin America seeking to place operations within North America. His background as a Senior Director of Corporate Real Estate in North/Latin America with a top tier 4PL logistics company provides a capable skill set and 15 years of experience in commercial real estate brokerage/development.

Christopher Herring - Executive Director at Global Chamber® San Antonio

Christopher Herring is the Executive Director for Global Chamber**®** San Antonio. He is a decorated combat veteran of the United States Air Force serving his nation as a commissioned officer for over 20 years. He was inspired by the late Ronald H. Brown, former US Secretary of Commerce, who he escorted on business trips to Los Angeles, to become a future chamber leader, business owner, and ultimately a facilitator of opportunity.

Mr. Herring is a past President/CEO of the Alamo City Chamber of Commerce in San Antonio, the United States 7th largest city. He balanced the needs of corporate partners, small businesses and collegiate student members. Mr. Herring was twice elected and is serving in his last term as the Chairman of the Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce (TAAACC). He advocates for over 250,000 businesses and 23 chambers of commerce in the nation's second largest economy with the ultimate goal to help his business members increase overall revenues and sales.

Nelson Olavarrieta - Executive Director - Global Chamber® Dallas

Nelson Olavarrieta is dedicated to help members of Global Chamber be successful in their cross metro and cross border growth. He advises international companies on how to enter the American market. He has successfully helped companies from Spain and Mexico to expand to the U.S. He also advises on cross-border transactions.

As being a former General Director of Bid Protests at the federal government of Mexico and a diplomat between the Interior Ministry in Mexico and the Department of Homeland Security in the U.S., he brings vital expertise to international and government services.

Nelson also has founded and successfully sold CelebratePlus.com, an innovative group funding platform to manage events online and raise money to support activities. He co-owns the local chapter of a national franchise in the construction sector.

Nelson also serves as Vice-president of the Board of Directors of Refugee Services of Texas, the largest organization in the state that welcomes refugees, asylees, survivors of trafficking, and other displaced peoples, and supports them in integrating and thriving in their new communities.

Doug Bruhnke - Founder/CEO of Global Chamber®. Doug is an international entrepreneur dedicated to helping members of Global Chamber® reach new markets across metros and borders more successfully. He is a two-time expat with Dupont in Tokyo and Singapore with over 30 years of global business experience in nearly all countries and segments. Doug is a regional advisor for U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and a member of collaborating international groups including the Arizona District Export Council. He has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Utah, an EMBA from Michigan State University and 5 patents. Doug was born in Mt. Kisco, New York and now lives in the metro regions of Phoenix and San Francisco. Hear more about the Global Chamber® story here.

Global Chamber® is a growing and collaborating community of CEOs, executives and leaders in 525 metro regions around the world... connecting member businesses to new opportunities and advancing growth and success. It's the only chamber of commerce in the world operating in hundreds of locations that helps exporting, importing and investing members to connect through warm introductions to clients, partners, projects and resources.