This morning I was proud to join Vice Admiral Gerald Beaman and other members of the United States Navy to recognize Navy Week in Los Angeles.

As a member of the reserve component of the Navy myself, I have a first-hand appreciation for the work that the men and women of our Naval forces do to protect our country and our values at home and abroad.

There are many activities happening at the Port of Los Angeles to celebrate Navy Week. Click here to learn more.

Last night I had the pleasure of participating in a conversation about developing Los Angeles’s technology workforce. The panel discussion was sponsored by GOOD and the University of Phoenix.

We spent much of the time focused on how crucial it is that our Los Angeles community get our young people excited about aspects of math, science, and technology that relate to them to raise their interest in these subjects that are so crucial to our success.

Melrose Avenue Elementary School Principal Bernadette Lucas talked about the passion for learning that she sees in her students inspired by the school’s robotics program. The teachers and faculty at her school regularly seek opportunities for their students to be exposed to people who have careers that utilize math and science. Her school provides every 3rd through 5th grader with a laptop that they take home with them everyday — just one of the many ways the school community affirms its commitment to teaching technology.

Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing and a proud UCLA alum, talked about his desire to see more people of all ages being driven in their careers by their passion, creativity and innovation rather than financial incentives.

Audience members also had excellent comments and questions, including a college student who asked what the average person could do to help. The discussion continues online here — click through to join in.

Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti today announced that he has selected Ms. Yolanda Brown as the Council District 13 Pioneer Woman of 2011. Ms. Brown is the Parish Life Director for the Blessed Sacrament Church in Hollywood.

“Yolanda is a shining example of the pioneering spirit,” said Garcetti. “She truly is a leader and guiding force in Hollywood.”

Earlier this month, Archbishop José H. Gomez appointed Brown to serve as the Parish Life Director for the Blessed Sacrament Church. In that position, she is now entrusted with the leadership of the entire parish, in both administrative and pastoral capacities. Prior to her work with Blessed Sacrament, Brown served for seven years as a Pastoral Associate for the Dolores Mission Church in Boyle Heights. She also had a career in banking and finance before being compelled to seek a higher calling.

Brown holds a MA in Theology from Loyola Marymount University and an MBA in Finance from Pace University. She is currently working toward a PhD in Ministry from Catholic University.

The City of Los Angeles established the Pioneer Woman awards in 1988 to recognize extraordinary women.

Garcetti to provide funding for inaugural year of office he created

LOS ANGELES — The City Council today unanimously approved a panel of 13 research firms and organizations that will provide the City with rigorous, independent research to guide job creation and economic development initiatives through the new Office of Economic Analysis, which was proposed by Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti and that will be funded by his office during its inaugural year. After a successful first year, Garcetti will seek to permanently establish the office.

“The Office of Economic Analysis will provide rigorous, independent research to help us maximize job and economic growth,” Garcetti said. “Job creation is as complex as it is vital during these tough times. The Office of Economic Analysis will ensure the City’s economic
policies are efficient and effective.”

Garcetti also praised the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce for championing the Office of Economic Analysis.

“We look forward to having this additional tool to assess the impact that pending legislation would have on the creation of jobs in the City of Los Angeles. This information should be very valuable and helpful,” said Gary Toebben, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Area
Chamber of Commerce.

After a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process, the following 13 firms were approved to provide research services through the Office of Economic Analysis:

AECOM
Aspen Environmental Group
BAE Urban Economics
Blue Sky Consulting Group
EPS, Inc.
HDR Engineering, Inc.
HR&A Advisors, Inc.
ICF International
Kosmont Companies
Parsons Brinkerhoff
The Rose Institute
Tecolote Research, Inc.
Urban Community Economics