Developing the Next Generation of Business and Civic Leaders in the Inland Empire

On Friday, September 12, 2025, IEEP welcomed the 13th Regional Leadership Academy (RLA) cohort as they began the 2025–26 program year with Session One: Introduction to the Program & the Regional Lens.

Session One was hosted by IEEP’s valued partner, California Steel Industries (CSI). Scott Starr, Director of Operations and Quality at CSI, shared insights into the company’s pivotal role in elevating the Inland Empire’s economic influence. Dr. Nathan Gonzales, A.K. Smiley Public Library, followed with a rich historical overview of the region, offering context that will inform the cohort’s leadership journey throughout the program.

The cohort also had the opportunity to tour CSI’s steel and galvanizing mills in Fontana, CA, guided by their team of metallurgists. The session concluded with a presentation by Dr. Manfred Keil, IEEP Chief Economist, who underscored the region’s continued growth as the 11th largest MSA in the nation and emphasized the importance of workforce development in sustaining that trajectory.

CSI continues to be a cornerstone in the Inland Empire’s manufacturing sector, advancing workforce training programs that has been vital to the region’s prosperity.

We are grateful to CSI for their continued partnership and to our presenters for equipping the cohort with essential knowledge as they begin their leadership journey.

The next RLA session is October 10^th, 2025: City and County Government, hosted by the City of Riverside.

IEEP is excited to begin another year of learning, collaboration, and leadership with the 13th RLA cohort!

On Friday, October 10th, 2025, the 13th Regional Leadership Academy cohort visited the City of Riverside for Session Two: City and County Government. Former Riverside City Mayor Ron Loveridge greeted the cohort with a discussion about leadership in local government. Following Dr. Loveridge, City of Riverside department leads including Kaitlin Reierson (Marketing and Communications), Michelle Davis (Housing and Human Services), Jennifer Lilley (Community and Economic Development) and Mike Futrell (City Manager) shared how their work supports the city’s continued growth and success as California’s 12th largest city.

The cohort, led by Scott Watson, Historic Preservation Officer and Nathan Mustafa, Deputy Public Works Director, took a walking tour of downtown Riverside, stopping at monuments honoring leaders that highlight the diversity of civil rights history. The tour also provided an overview of the city’s approach to preserving its history through adaptive reuse.

To finish the session, the cohort had the privilege of meeting with Riverside County Supervisor Karen Spiegel (2nd District) and Supervisor Jose Medina (1st District), who participated in a Q&A discussion with IEEP President and CEO Paul Granillo. Supervisors Spiegel and Medina shared their experiences in public service, discussed overcoming obstacles in running for local office, and shared their insights on creating a positive impact in communities.

IEEP extends its thanks to the City of Riverside for hosting the RLA and for being an incredible leader in Riverside County and the greater Inland Empire region.

The next RLA Session is November 14th, 2025: Utilities and Infrastructure, hosted by Metropolitan Water District!

On Friday, November 14th, the 13th RLA cohort visited the Metropolitan Water District for Session Three: Utilities and Infrastructure.

The day began with a tour of the Henry J. Mills Water Treatment Plant led by Ian Tillery, Team Manager, and Robert Rietveld, Unit Manager. The cohort learned about the plant’s complex treatment processes, which can handle up to 220 million gallons of water per day and ensure a clean, safe, and reliable supply for western Riverside County.

Following the tour, the cohort heard from a diverse panel of leaders representing key sectors in utilities. Panelists shared insights on accessibility, reliability, and affordability of utilities across the Inland Empire. Speakers included:

• Mark Cloud, Government Affairs Manager, Southern California Edison
• Kristine Scott, Regional Public Affairs Manager, SoCalGas
• Ashley Womack, Manager of External Affairs, Inland Empire Utilities Agency
• Sandra Cuellar, Director of Government Affairs – Inland Empire, Charter Communications

IEEP extends its appreciation to the Metropolitan Water District for their partnership and for offering the cohort an in-depth look at how essential utilities support daily life for Inland Empire residents.

RLA Session 4: Education, hosted by the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, will be on December 12^th, 2025.

The fourth session of the RLA program year, Education, took place on Friday, December 12th.

The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools hosted the cohort in the morning. The session began with a discussion and Q&A with Assistant Superintendent, Innovation and Engagement, Stephanie Houston, Ed.D. Following Dr. Houston, the cohort heard from a diverse panel of Inland Empire educators who shared their successes, challenges and hopes for the Inland Empire education system.
Panelists included:
– Terri Giamarino, Ed.D., Program Manager, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (Moderator)
– Carol Tsushima, Ed.D., Administrator, Workforce, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools
– Don English, Ed.D., Board Member, Chaffey Joint Union High School District
– Dr. Ashish Vaidya, President & CEO, Growing Inland Achievement
– Diana Z. Rodriguez, Ed.D., Chancellor, San Bernardino Community College District
– James Moses, Regional Director, Child Care Resource Center.

Next, the cohort visited the KVCR Public Media Studio, located on the San Bernardino Valley College campus. KVCR is a trusted source for news, information, education, culture, and community engagement in the Inland Empire. Led by Vanessa Wiarco, Community Engagement Manager, the cohort toured the television and radio studios and filmed community shoutouts for their organizations.

Session Five: Law Enforcement, hosted by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, will be on January 9th, 2026.

On Friday, January 9th, the 13th Regional Leadership Academy cohort attended Session Five: Law Enforcement, hosted by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

The session began with a welcome from Captain Matt Collins, Training Division, who provided an overview of the department and its role in serving the county. Following the welcome, the cohort participated in a series of hands-on experiences to gain insight into public safety-related topics. The groups participated in firearms handling at the shooting range, drove on the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC), and engaged in virtual simulations of realistic, high-stress scenarios.

After lunch, provided by SBCSD’s Culinary Program, the cohort finished the day with a thoughtful discussion with Sheriff Shannon Dicus, focused on leadership, public safety, and community trust.

IEEP extends its sincere thanks to Sergeant Ruben Perez and Deputy Joela Jimenez for their assistance in coordinating the session and hosting the cohort. IEEP also thanks the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department for their continued partnership and dedication to serving our communities.

The next RLA session will take place on February 13, 2026, and will focus on Healthcare, hosted by Loma Linda University Health.

On Friday, February 13, the 13th RLA cohort gathered for Session Six: Healthcare, hosted by Loma Linda University Health (LLUH).

Held on the Loma Linda University campus, this session provided a deep-dive into the session focus: Healthcare. The cohort, led by John Marshall, Director of Security, participated in a walking tour of the LLUH campus. The tour began with a visit to the top helipad, followed by first-hand insights into the state-of-the-art technology and signature seismic safety of the hospital. Throughout the session, the cohort engaged with a distinguished lineup of speakers who shared their expertise on community partnerships, equitable healthcare in our region, advancements in cancer research, and more. Our speakers included: 

• Dr. Ronald Carter, Provost Emeritus, Loma Linda University
• Dr. Richard Hart, President, Loma Linda University Health
• Dr. Anthony Hilliard, CEO, Loma Linda University Health Hospitals
• Dr. Juan Carlos Belliard, Assistant Vice President, Community Partnerships, Loma Linda University Health
• Dr. Mark Reeves, Vice President, Institutes; Director, Cancer Center, Loma Linda University Health
• Ehren Ngo, Executive Director, San Manuel Gateway College

IEEP is grateful to Nikki Nicolas, Office of the Provost, Loma Linda University for the continued partnership and to Loma Linda University for their commitment to whole-person wellness of Inland Empire residents.

Session Seven: Nonprofits, hosted by Goodwill Southern California, will take place on March 13th.

On March 13, 2026, the 13th RLA cohort was hosted by Goodwill Southern California for an impactful session on the importance of nonprofit organizations in the Inland Empire.

This session took place at the Goodwill Industries facility in Riverside, CA, where the cohort was welcomed by Lowell King, Regional Operations Officer. Next, the cohort heard from Jessica Rodriguez, Senior Director; Fetineiai Tafeaga, Program Manager; Sarina Muhammad, Supervisor (Business Services); and Robert Cole, Supervisor of WCD Programs and San Bernardino County One Stop Operator. The GSC team shared Goodwill’s history, mission, and an overview of its workforce development programs tailored to those uniquely abled, unhoused, and justice involved. The cohort heard first-hand experiences from the G-FORCE Custodial Team and Career Services Specialist Moises Gonzalez, allowing the cohort to gain a deeper understanding of the value of Goodwill’s work.

Next, the cohort had the privilege of hearing from nonprofit leaders in a panel discussion: 

• Patrick McClenahan, President & CEO, Goodwill Southern California
• Cynthia Breunig, President & CEO, Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council
• Christopher Darbee, Chief Operating Officer, Inland SoCal United Way
• Dan Flores, Executive Director, Mary’s Mercy Center

To conclude the session, Jose Roman, Director of Distribution and Logistics, led a tour of the facility, walking the cohort through the step-by-step process of how donations are processed and distributed. The cohort also learned how Goodwill fulfills its mission by maximizing the impact of community donations while minimizing impact on the environment. 

IEEP is grateful to the Goodwill team for their dedication to expanding workforce opportunities in the Inland Empire.

Session Eight: Logistics, hosted by San Bernardino International Airport (SBD), will be on Friday, April 10!

On Friday, April 10, 2026, the 13th RLA cohort attended Session Eight: Logistics, hosted by the San Bernardino International Airport (SBD). This session provided an in-depth look at air cargo and its integral role in the region’s supply chain.

The class started the session with a presentation and tour of the Amazon Hub led by David Bigbee, Senior Operations Lead, Amazon. Bigbee highlighted Amazon’s automation and technology that enhances worker safety, and emphasized Amazon’s sustainability efforts with its zero-emission infrastructure. 

Next, the cohort heard from Mike Burrows, CEO of SBD, who highlighted the airport’s history and rise to one of the top 30 cargo airports in the country. The cohort finished the day with a tour of the SBD Airport, gaining insight into logistics and general aviation operations. 

IEEP extends its thanks to Jannelle Watson, Southern California Policy Lead, Amazon and Mike Burrows for their support in hosting this session.

The next RLA session is May 1st, 2026: The Ports, hosted by the Port of Los Angeles.

On May 1, 2026, the 13th RLA cohort gathered for Session Nine: The Ports. This session provided a comprehensive overview of the goods movement systems that play a vital role in the Inland Empire’s economy and workforce.

The day began with a visit to the Valero Wilmington Refinery, where the cohort heard from the refinery team on the oil refining process and the technology that allows Valero to minimize waste and meet high environmental quality standards. The visit concluded with a tour of the facility, offering an up-close look at refinery operations.

Next, the cohort traveled to APM Terminals – Pier 400, where they were welcomed by Jon Poelma, Managing Director of APM Terminals. There, the cohort gained insights into their ongoing efforts to transition to zero-emission technology at the largest container port terminal in the Western Hemisphere.

To conclude Session Nine, the cohort participated in a boat tour of the Port of Los Angeles, providing a closer perspective of the cargo ships and container operations that serve as a critical gateway for goods moving into and throughout the Inland Empire region.

IEEP extends its sincere appreciation to Michele Grubbs, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association; Patty Senecal, WSPA; and David Libatique, Port of Los Angeles for their support in organizing this session.

Session Ten will take place on June 9-10th, 2026, in Sacramento, CA. This capstone RLA session will allow the cohort to gain insight into the policymaking process and engage directly with legislators representing the Inland Empire. 

On June 9 and 10, 2026, the 13th Regional Leadership Academy cohort had the privilege of traveling to the California State Capitol for the capstone session of the Academy, providing a firsthand look at California’s legislative and policy-making processes while strengthening their understanding of advocacy.

On Tuesday, June 9, the trip began with a guided tour of the Capitol, where the participants learned about the history of the Capitol building and viewed the Assembly and Senate floors. The cohort then made their way to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, where they were welcomed with a presentation by Carolyn Chu, Chief Deputy Legislative Analyst, who provided an overview of the LAO’s role as a nonpartisan advisor on the state budget, providing key takeaways on the May Revise. 

The cohort later met with Paul Aguirre, Regional Engagement Specialist, and Michael Wiafe, Assistant Deputy Director, California Workforce Development Board. Their discussion focused on workforce development priorities and strategies for supporting quality job growth by strengthening partnerships with educational institutions throughout the Inland Empire.

Next, participants also had the honor of engaging directly with members representing the Inland Empire region: 

– Sen. Kelly Seyarto 

– Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh

– Sen. Sabrina Cervantes

– Asm. Leticia Castillo 

– Asm. Greg Wallis

– The Office of Asm. James Ramos

The day concluded with IEEP’s legislative reception, where cohort members connected with Inland Empire Caucus legislators and gained valuable perspectives on the policy-making process, regional priorities, and the challenges and opportunities in public service.

On Wednesday, June 10, the cohort convened at the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) headquarters for discussions focused on public policy and advocacy. The morning began with a Policy 101 presentation by Chris Collier, IEEP Policy Advisor, who provided an overview of the legislative process and the path a bill takes to become law in California.

Participants then joined a roundtable discussion examining California’s business climate and the role of advocacy in shaping public policy. Featured speakers included:

– Rob Lapsley, President, California Business Roundtable (CBRT) 

– Matthew Hargrove, President & CEO, California Business Properties Association (CBPA) 

– Paul Deiro, Senior Director, California Policy, Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) 

The 13th cohort will celebrate their graduation from the Regional Leadership Academy on July 10th, 2026.