Would you like one of our speakers at your next function - please download and fill out our
Speakers Bureau request form
ROBERTO BARRAGAN - President
click pic to enlargeAs the President of VEDC, Mr. Barragan manages the largest business development non-profit organization in Southern California. With an annual budget of over $5.5 million and 49 employees in 7 offices, VEDC serves businesses yearly with financing, training, and direct business assistance. Previous experience includes work in minority and non-minority owned businesses, as well as community based outreach. Mr. Barragan has been responsible for startup company market strategy development, feasibility studies, financial evaluation, fund raising as well as the development of nonprofit coalitions.
Education:
University of California, Berkeley
- Masters of Business Administration, Marketing and Real Estate Concentration
Princeton University
- Bachelor of Arts, Politics and International Law
Areas of Expertise:
Non-profit management, community economic development, financial resources development, technical assistance to for-profit and non–profit entities, lending and micro lending
CYNTHIA IBARRA - Program Manager, Business Build, Connect, Grow 100 Program
Ms. Ibarra has been with VEDC (Valley Economic Development Center) for the past 7 years, currently serving as the Program Manager for VEDC’s newest business assistance State-wide program. This program focuses on helping California based women and minority owned businesses through consulting, training, financing and procurement services. Previously, Ms. Ibarra served as VEDC’s Marketing and Development Director, where she was responsible for the agency’s and its 2 affiliates’ marketing activities across 5 offices and 3 counties. She serves on VEDC’s Marketing Committee, Public Relations/Marketing Board Committee and is a board member for New Directions for Youth. Ms. Ibarra comes from 5 years of experience in the market research industry.
Education:
California State University, Northridge, Bachelor of Science, Health Administration
Areas of Expertise:
Marketing, event planning, public relations, development, fundraising
WARREN COOLEY - Director, Retail & Business Services
Before joining the agency seven (7) years ago, Mr. Cooley owned several businesses. The Living Tree was a small chain of bookstores located in several Southern California regional shopping centers. The other company, EDCON, was an economic consulting and project management firm, providing pre-development services to the recreation, entertainment and real estate industries. His previous responsibilities at VEDC have included Manager of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) office in Ventura County; Associate Director of the network of SBDC’s operated by VEDC; and, Project Director for Economic Development. He brings to VEDC a solid background in business, consulting, and real estate development. He is also an experienced workshop and seminar presenter.
Mr. Cooley developed and directs the highly successful Historic Downtown Los Angeles Retail Project, which is charged with the revitalization of the City’s retail core. The business financing options used for the 34 new businesses that have located are creative, as no low cost government backed loans have been used.
Education:
University of Wyoming, Bachelor of Science, Education & Recreation
University of Oregon, Masters of Health & Recreation
Areas of Expertise:
Real estate development, retail development and businesses, Los Angeles downtown revitalization efforts, general
business topics, urban economic development
JULIE FONSECA - Business Development Officer, VEDC
click pic to enlargeMrs. Fonseca has been with Valley Economic Development Center since 2004 and currently serves as the Business Development Officer. While at VEDC, Mrs. Fonseca has secured over $4 million in contracts and established a Federal Credit Union Charter for the Pacoima Development Federal Credit Union, the first of its kind in the Pacoima community. Mrs. Fonseca has extensive experience in working with federal, state and local governments along with corporations and private foundations.
Mrs. Fonseca comes from a background in real estate and economic development and has extensive knowledge in acquisition and development. Mrs. Fonseca grew up in Boyle Heights and understands first hand the struggle and obstacles of small business owners such as immigration, language and access to capital. Mrs. Fonseca holds a bachelor’s degree and masters in business administration.
Education:
University of Southern California, Bachelor of Science, Business Administration
Areas of Expertise:
Economic development & revitalization, grant writing, public-private funding partnerships, credit unions.
ANTONIO PIZANO - Program Manager, San Fernando Valley Financial Development Corporation
click pic to enlargeMr. Pizano has 7 years of experience in the lending industry, primarily focused around consumer finance. With a strong background in consumer finance, banking, and residential real estate/mortgage he has held various positions in the industry. Mr. Pizano also has extensive experience in public speaking and workshop facilitation. Active in the local community, he has served on the Executive Boards of local non-profit agencies such as Pacoima Beautiful, National Hispanic Business Association and the Pacoima Chamber of Commerce.
Education:
California State University, Northridge, Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Finance
Areas of Expertise:
Credit management & underwriting, lending, consulting, business development and workshop facilitation. Fluent in Spanish.
