November 11, 2004

2005 Almaden Business Association officers elected

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

Although BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse offers specialty brews, hot coffee was the beverage of choice last week as General Manager Scotty Mayer welcomed members of the Almaden Business Association [ABA] to the 8 a.m. monthly meeting, where, on the heels of an intense national election, the year-old organization held one of its own.

But not before Silicon Valley Chamber president Jim Cuneen congratulated the group on it success—one that has served as a role model that has motivated others, including Campbell to start its own.

Edie Fehling, who coordinated the event, introduced her associate, Russel Gray, regional president and co-owner of Catalyst Funding and co-founder of the Advisor Financial Alliance [AFA]. He offered insight into how real estate financing concepts and strategies can ease small business owner cash flow and increase net worth. A frequent speaker at seminars, community colleges, and investor clubs, Gray also teaches real estate finance to agents throughout Northern California and can often be heard on the KYCY and KFRC radio talk show “The Real Estate Guys,” hosted by AFA co-founder Robert Helms.

Gray said his “one-stop shop” approach enables AFA to offer financial guidance into what he calls “the greatest wealth building vehicle available to everyday people.”

“We’re investing in real estate today the way we would have stocks in the past,” he said.

Citing Las Vegas, Phoenix, “pockets” in Texas—even China as hot markets—Gray said much of AFA’s focus centered on doing due diligence in an effort to capitalize on the markets that will offer the heftiest gains.

With cash flow still up for discussion, ABA president Doug Keller called for officer nominations, including the new position of treasurer. Twice he declined to accept nominations for president, but vowed to stay actively involved.

“I’m a firm believer in term limits,” he joked. “I will absolutely be involved in assisting and helping out going forward. I’m not going away.”

Keller passes the gavel to newly elected 2005 president, Tabard Theatre matriarch and ABA Steering Committee member Cathy Spielberger Cassetta, who vowed to “set visions and make them happen in real time.”

By her side, serving as vice-president, will be ABA Steering Committee members Dave Roche with Boulevard Financial Group, along with Pete Buckter, whose Time+Plus Payroll Services savvy—and calculator—will be put to good use, as he wins an uncontested bid to become the association’s first treasurer.

The Almaden Business Association meets on the first Thursday of each month and offers both morning forums with scheduled speakers, along with after-hours networking mixers. For more information, visit www.almadenbizassn.org.