Richard Egger, Chairman
Best, Best, and Krieger
Richard Egger is a partner of Best, Best, and Krieger’s Ontario office as well as the firm’s general counsel, where he represents clients in litigation in the areas of contract and real estate matters, complex public entity matters, and health care related disputes. With more than 30 years of experience as Partner and General Counsel, Richard’s expertise in client crises counseling, arbitration proceedings, and providing businesses with successful strategy planning is recognized throughout the region.
Richard received his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside, followed by his J.D. from the University of California, Davis. Richard currently is a member of the Greater Ontario Business Council, Bishop Amat High School Consultative Council, and a past member of the California State Bar Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct.
Lupe Valdez, Immediate Past Chair
Union Pacific Railroad
Lupe Valdez joined the Union Pacific Railroad as the Director of Public Affairs in July of 2005. She serves the Los Angeles basin, including Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Imperial Counties. her responsibilities include working with local elected officials and community groups in Southern California. Lupe attended the University of Southern California, where she earned both a B.A. and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.
Lupe actively participates as a valued member of the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership., is now the Senior Director of Public Affairs for the Union Pacific Railroad and currently holds the title of Chairwoman for the Inland Empire Economic Partnership.
Peter Villegas, At-Large Member
Actum, LLC
Peter R. Villegas is Co-Chair at Mercury, where he delivers results for the world’s most successful companies, leading advocacy groups, governments, political parties, NGO’s, and prominent and political figures.
With more than 27 years of experience, Peter is a nationally recognized corporate leader with expertise in managing various corporate, civic, political, and community issues and initiatives with a focus on multicultural communities.
Currently, Peter is Vice-Chair of the California State Athletic Commission, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute, the National Association of Latino Appointed & Elected Officials, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors Business Council, all while concurrently serving as our Immediate Past Chair for the Inland Economic Partnership.
Dan Rendler, Treasurer
Southern California Gas Co.
Dan has 36 years of experience in the energy industry. As a leader in the nation’s largest natural gas distribution company, Dan has developed a diverse and extensive background. His experience includes leadership roles in marketing, customer contact, customer service, gas distribution operations, environment and safety, emergency services, technology & new product development, energy policy and customer programs & services. Dan earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from California State University- Northridge, additionally followed by his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Redlands
Dan is currently the Director of Customer services for SoCalGas, a Sempra Energy utility. He leads a team of over 800 employees focused on providing safe and reliable service to over 10 million of SoCalGas’ customers in San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, Orange and parts of Los Angeles counties. Dan currently resides on the Board of Trustees for Goodwill Southern California, is the President of the Redland Bicycle Classic, and is now the Treasurer for the Inland Empire Economic Partnership.
Fran Inman, At-Large Member
Majestic Realty
Fran Inman, Senior Vice President, has worked as part of the Majestic Realty team for more than two decades. In addition to overseeing the government relations work for the company, Fran also serves as the founding President of the Majestic Realty Foundation.
Recognized as a national leader in the transportation sector for her work on the global supply chain, she serves as a member of the California Transportation Commission. Inman also serves on the highly acclaimed National Freight Advisory Committee that reports directly to the US Secretary of Transportation and on the California Freight Efficiency Task Force.
A civic and philanthropic leader, she serves and has served on a diverse range of business, economic development and transportation boards and organizations throughout the region. Fran holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance and an MBA in Finance from Cal State Fullerton.
Paul Granillo
Inland Empire Economic Partnership
Paul Granillo has served as President and CEO of the Inland Empire Economic Partnership since 2010. During that time IEEP has become one of the most recognized statewide organizations focused on galvanizing cross sector leadership in order to build a stronger regional economy through a triple bottom line framework.
Paul sits on many National and Statewide Boards including UnidosUS, the Regional Economic Association Leaders of California and the Campaign for College Opportunity. Paul is a board member and past Chair of Mobility 21, which is a coalition that brings together public, business and community stakeholders to pursue regional solutions to the transportation challenges facing Southern California. He also serves on the board and is Past-Chair of the California Stewardship Network, which develops innovative regional solutions to the state’s most pressing economic, environmental, and community challenges. He has also served as Past-Chair of the California Economic Summit and is a member of its Steering Committee. In 2018, Mr. Granillo was named Regional Steward of the Year by the California Economic Summit for his work on behalf of businesses and residents of the Inland Empire and was also honored for that work by the California State Legislature.
A native of the Inland Empire, Granillo was born and raised in Redlands. He received a B.A. in History from California State University San Bernardino, a Master of Divinity from St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo and a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.