January 12, 2006

Former adversaries unite at ABA meeting

New president Rich De La Rosa working alongside Councilmember Nancy Pyle

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

They say that politics makes strange bedfellows. Nowhere was that more evident than at the Almaden Business Association’s first meeting of the year, where former political adversaries Pat Dando, Nancy Pyle and Rich De La Rosa joined forces to pitch their ideas for aiding small business development in San Jose.

Councilmember Nancy Pyle, ABA President Rich De La Rosa and San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Pat Dando have joined forces to aid small business. Photo by Lorraine Gabbert

Wrapping up their ‘Six Degrees of Connection’ campaign and ringing in the New Year with new leadership, outgoing President Cathy Spielberger Cassetta passed the baton to board member and Communications Chair Rich De La Rosa.

The meeting celebrated a new beginning for many in attendance. As members and visitors took turns introducing themselves, their guest speaker received a round of applause upon quipping, “I’m Pat Dando. I’m with the San Jose Chamber of Commerce, and I work for you.”

Former Vice Mayor and longtime District 10 City Councilmember Pat Dando, who was also instrumental in creating the Almaden Business Association, currently serves as president and CEO of the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Treasurer Pete Bucter noted that through their fundraising efforts, the ABA raised $30,200 for the Children’s Storytime Area of the new Almaden Library and Community Center, the group doubled its original goal.

“Rich Crowley did such a great job,” said De La Rosa, “that we raised $17,000 before we even got started on the Texas Hold’em Poker tournament.”

With the publicity generated by the State Department of Justice’s cancellation of the fundraiser, as well as the savings on related costs, the organization actually came out ahead. “We were very fortunate the way it all worked out,” De La Rosa said.

With a grin, he offered two Texas Hold’em kits as raffle prizes, in addition to presenting one to Rich Crowley for heading the library fundraiser.

With a twinkle in his eye, De La Rosa turned to Pyle, “We know what it is to fundraise. Right, Nancy? It’s tough.” His unabashed reference to their adversarial race for a City Council seat drew a chuckle from those gathered, including Councilmember Pyle.

As a result of their efforts to aid the new Almaden Library, Pyle revealed that the ABA will be recognized by the City Council with a commendation during a Jan. 24 ceremony on at 7 p.m. at the City Hall.

Pat Dando
De La Rosa then turned his attention to their guest of honor. “May I present to you the President and CEO of the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce,” he said, “and the birth mother of the Almaden Business Association, Pat Dando. This is the first time she’s come home since leaving [her city council] office at the end of 2004. Pat, I can’t think of a better thing that could happen to the Chamber of Commerce.”

The appreciation was mutual. “I have to say that of the many activities and projects that I’ve been involved with over my 20-some years in public service with San Jose, “the Almaden Business Association is one of the things that I’m the most proud of. I want to thank those founding members not only for creating such a success here, but for giving San Jose a model it can take to other business communities,” Dando said.

She spoke about her experience g in the governor’s office, as well as the governor’s economic plan. “I hired a business liaison just before I left his office, and I believe that person will do a lot of good for small businesses throughout the state of California,” she said. “I think that people on both sides of the aisle, whether Republican or Democrat, have realized that the way to get things done—no surprise to you—is to work together.”

Regarding the Chamber of Commerce, Dando said that it has grown immensely and will continue to do so. She credits the Chamber’s success, in part, to its Community Builders program, which provides fundraising options for its members.

For example, a business may donate funds for their education foundation, or choose to buy a table at its ‘Legends and Leaders’ dinner or ‘Women in Leadership’ program. The Chamber’s recent ‘Legends and Leaders’ dinner featured an inspirational speech by Magic Johnson regarding his success in investing in small businesses in fragile neighborhoods. Peggy Flemming is slated to speak at the Chamber’s ‘Women in Leadership’ program on April 13.

On its recent weekend retreat, which De La Rosa attended as a new Chamber board member, Dando planned to think outside the box. “We’ll be a bit radical as chambers go to generate new membership and revenue,” she said. “Nancy and I have had a chance to talk about a few ideas.”

Dando believes San Jose, as well as California, must be more competitive to keep, grow and attract new business. “This area has never had to recruit businesses to San Jose because we’ve always been the best,” she said, “but we’re realizing that other cities are coming here and recruiting our folks in droves.”

She said her meeting with the mayor of Denver was a real eye-opener when the mayor admitted that cities like Denver view San Jose as a hunting ground.

“All of a sudden,” said Dando, “I thought, if all these places are doing it, why aren’t we? Why don’t we put together an economic team made up of business leaders, economic developers and elected officials and go after the fastest 50 companies throughout the nation?”

Coyote Valley
In considering the economic future of San Jose, Dando noted that the city’s next mayor will set the tone and make some major land use decisions, including whether to develop Coyote Valley.

“It’s our last bastion of undeveloped land,” said Dando. “We can get it right by developing a climate where businesses can grow, along with housing and community services, like police, fire, schools, parks and libraries.”

“I’m very excited to turn over leadership and the presidency of the ABA for 2006 to Rich De La Rosa.” said former president Cathy Spielberger Cassetta

Members of the Coyote Valley Task Force, including area residents, businesses, unions, political leaders, farmers, developers, environmentalists and Dando, have been meeting to discuss the possibility of developing the land. Some prefer to leave it undeveloped. “But, in this country, when you have property rights and decide you want to develop,” said Dando, “you have the right to do so.”

The task force will present their plan incorporating business, housing, transportation and city services, to the City Council in November or December. “What will we do with these three years of planning and the $13 million it cost [land developers] to put this plan together?” said Dando. “Do we leave it on a shelf for a few years or work it into the full city general plan process when a new mayor comes in?”

Developing Coyote Valley has been in the works for some time, she said, and may affect whether or not companies like Apple or Cisco could develop in the area.

“It’s important to go through this planning process,” she said. “Had we been able to capture Apple, or Cisco, we’d have that investment here today. The trick will be to have our elected officials have the courage to move along with that plan while balancing housing and industry.”

The new plan is to create housing and jobs at the same time. According to Dando, the housing developers have agreed to pay $300 to $400 million for the first stage of infrastructure. “We need to have that last area planned and ready for businesses,” she said. “When you’re a city the size of San Jose, when a developer wants to build or expand, we can’t have only one option and be able to sell ourselves to the greater nation.”

“Access City Hall”
Dando considered the Chamber’s recent ‘Access City Hall’ meeting a great success. All but one City Councilmember attended. “Nancy was very gracious to participate in a panel discussion on issues, as well as the mayor and the vice mayor,” Dando said.

More than 100 people participated in the forum, taking advantage of the opportunity to ask city policy members what they could do to help their businesses. “Our elected officials were very generous with their time and very direct with their responses,” said Dando. “Access City Hall is something that you all should be engaged in.”

Under her tutelage, Dando envisions the Chamber as a business advocate. “We’re going to help you fight your battles and stay in touch with what’s important to the business community,” she said.

“While you’re busy working, you can’t watch what’s going on in Sacramento, City Hall and our nation’s capital, but we can do that for you.” Dando encouraged ABA members to join her on Access Trips to Sacramento and Washington, D.C. “We don’t have to change the world,” she said, “but if we could take just one or two issues that help people’s lives, and just focus on that and get it done, we’ve done a lot.”

Pyle was impressed with Dando’s vision for the Chamber and the city. “I would like to compliment Pat again,” she said. “She is one of the most articulate speakers I can think of, and such a wonderful role model for my job. I am so excited to be able to work with Pat and get the city and Chamber working together. I think we have strength in the chain we form.”

“This isn’t your father’s Chamber anymore,” said Dando.

It’s also the dawn of a new alliance between Dando, Pyle and De La Rosa.