Antelope Valley Board of Trade – Lancaster, CA

The Business Briefing Luncheon on Tuesday, January 24th, is presented by the Aerospace Committee and Sponsored by  Clancy J.G. International with Brigadier General Robert C. Nolan II giving an update on Edwards Air Force Base.

EDWARDS AFB COMMANDER TO BE FEATURED AT JANUARY BUSINESS LUNCHEON

January’s business luncheon will be focused upon our aerospace and defense industry, specifically the US Air Force and Edwards AFB.  Hosted by the AV Board of Trade’s Aerospace, Defense Industry, and Base Support Committee, this special event is being sponsored by Clancy JG International.  Brigadier General Robert C. “Woody” Nolan, II, USAF, Commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center / Edwards AFB will be the featured speaker.  General Nolan will provide an update on all of the exciting things underway at the Base, such as the evolving F-35 Joint Strike Fighter flight test program.  There are some present day challenges too, such as the recent direction to cancel the Airborne Laser Program.  We can expect an informative discussion by the General on the restructuring of the Air Force Material Command and how the AFFTC will be changed.  This is one luncheon not to be missed! Edwards AFB with all its military and civilian personnel and myriad of programs has a significant impact throughout our Antelope Valley.  General Nolan’s presentation will be very interesting and timely.

About the Antelope Valley Board of Trade Aerospace Committee:

AEROCOMM and AVBOT have taken up issues for members and have worked with local, county, state, and national political offices for support, resolution, etc. of such.  We have assembled “red teams” on occasion to support Antelope Valley business retention / growth initiatives (such as Joint Strike Fighter and 747 Dreamlifter).  We have monitored BRAC activities of the past and advocated on behalf of our military installations and programs.  We will continue to engage on behalf of our members, DOD, and NASA with present and forecast issues, including Enterprise Zones and the imminent budgetary challenges facing all.

AVBOT AEROCOMM was also responsible for organizing and executing last year’s highly successful 30^th Anniversary celebration of the inaugural Space Shuttle mission, STS-1, on April 15^th at the University of Antelope Valley in Lancaster.  In 2012, the committee will be organizing trips to areas / organizations relative to the industry we support.

JANUARY LUNCHEON SPONSOR:

ClancyJG International provides engineering, professional, and consulting services as a prime contractor and a subcontractor team member to Government and commercial customers.  The Executive Management Team of ClancyJG International has over 35 years each of aviation experience in support of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Department of Defense (DOD).  ClancyJG International was selected as the Prime contractor in September 2009 to provide Air Traffic Control and Aviation Safety Subject Matter Expertise to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Group.

Unmanned aircraft operate without a flight crew onboard and, as such, present unique operational and certification issues. The Unmanned Aircraft Office (UAO) works in conjunction with the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Program Office (UAPO) in the Aviation Safety Organization, responsible for aviation standards, certification, and overall FAA UAS Policy in ensuring that approved operations are within appropriate safety thresholds. The National Airspace System (NAS) provides the flying public with air traffic control services designed to ensure air transportation safety. Currently, unmanned aircraft are not able to routinely operate in the NAS as manned aircraft. As a result, applications to operate are individually assessed. The UAO facilitates and ensures appropriate coordination is conducted among the Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Services and with the Office of Aviation Safety. The growth of unmanned aircraft operations challenges both regulators and service providers in applying the foundations that have long supported manned aviation. These challenges exist internationally, driving the need for cooperative efforts among the many states and supporting groups. The UAO and the UAPO together represent the United States’ leading role in this international effort to develop coordinated policies, procedures, standards, and regulations regarding the eventual routine operations of unmanned aircraft.

ClancyJG International provides expert technical, analytical and planning support services to the FAA UAS Group (AJV-13), furnishing all personnel and services necessary to assist the UAS Group in accomplishing their mission. As required by the FAA, the staff interfaces with operational personnel, system integration contractors, equipment manufacturers, airport personnel, various FAA, U.S. Government, Military, and international organizations. The support requires that the contractor assist the UAS Group in applying consistent processes to evaluate the strategies as they relate to the development of policies, procedures, standards, and regulations for the safe integration of unmanned aircraft. The Contractor must provide Research and Administrative Support for activities relating to the integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the NAS.

ClancyJG International is providing engineering support to the NASA Dryden Engineering Technical Services (ETS) contractor, TYBRIN.  Their tasking is focused on performing stability and control analysis in support of the NASA KQ-X program.   The KQ-X program is a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program awarded to Northrop Grumman Corporation on July 1, 2010.  The KQ-X program will investigate and develop Autonomous Aerial Refueling techniques using two NASA Global Hawk high altitude long endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).  Northrop Grumman plans to retrofit two of the HALE UAVs so that one aircraft can pump fuel into the other while in flight.  Several aspects of the KQ-X program are considered revolutionary.   Not only will the aerial refueling be autonomous, but since Global Hawks are classified as HALE UAVs, the refueling tests will occur at an altitude higher than that typically performed using manned aircraft.  The test will also be the first time that HALE UAVs have been flown in formation.

ClancyJG International core competencies include program/project management; simulation and training; engineering and analysis; operations and maintenance; systems engineering and technical assistance; and concept development and system modernization. They are recognized technical experts in the services offered.  ClancyJG International is a Small Business Administration (SBA) Certified 8(a) Program Participant and a Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE) certified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).

****  The January business luncheon will be Tuesday, January 24^th, 11:30 am, at the JP Eliopulos Hellenic Center, 43404 – 30^th Street West  in Lancaster.  Advance tickets are $20 per seat; $25 payment at the door.

Click on the link below for your invitation:

Your 2011 Holiday Breakfast Invitation

Join us for a fun and entertaining Holiday breakfast on Tuesday, December 13th, at 7:30 am at The Palmdale Hotel.  Entertainment provided by the AVC Concert Choir.  A scrumptious buffet of your breakfast favorites are served at this festive annual event.  I hope you’ll join us.  Only $25 with your RSVP.  Call now at 661-942-9581.

(Donations accepted for Grace Resources, or bring a new, unwrapped toy for the BIA toy drive to help out a local charity.)

Edward Mirzabegian, MHA – Chief Executive Officer

On Tuesday, November 22, Edward Mirzabegian, Chief Executive Officer of Antelope Valley Hospital (AV Hospital), will discuss the $32 million enhancements currently underway, continuously expanded services and financial status of the Antelope Valley’s only full service hospital.

With more than 20 years of healthcare and hospital operations experience, Edward Mirzabegian was named Chief Executive Officer of AV Hospital in June 2007after serving as Chief Operations Officer at for two years. Mirzabegian is an innovative leader committed to developing and implementing strategic plans that identify and promote best practices. He focuses on cultivating staff and physician partnerships and improving operational and financial performance to ensure the success of AV Hospital’s current and long range objectives.

As Chief Executive Officer, Mirzabegian is responsible for operational effectiveness, strategic planning, business development, medical staff relations, financial management, and facility expansion plans. He currently oversees 2,500 employees, 450 physicians, and 400 volunteers, while successfully managing a $330 million annual operating budget. Mirzabegian was instrumental in the recent financial turnaround of AV Hospital and reduced the $18 million loss that had accumulated before he took over, to a $1.96 million loss at the end of fiscal year 2008. In fiscal year 2009, the hospital finished with almost $9 million profit.  The positive trend continued with $24.6 million profit at the end of fiscal year 2010.

Mirzabegian is ensuring that the hospital remains focused on providing quality healthcare, as well as being an economic engine for the community. AV Hospital is currently the sixth largest employer in the Antelope Valley, paying more than $120 million in employee salaries.

As a member on the AV Hospital Foundation Board of Directors and a former member of the United Way board, Mirzabegian is fully vested in the success of the Antelope Valley community. He also serves on the Children’s Center Board of Directors, VHA Board of Directors and is a member of the Antelope Valley Board of Trade to further the hospital’s growth and modernization.

Before joining AV Hospital, Mirzabegian was the Chief Operating Officer for Mercy Health System in St. Louis at their St. Mary’s facility in northwest Arkansas. He planned and implemented many successful clinical and organizational programs for Mercy Health System. These programs included the planning, design, and implementation of the construction of a 220-bed hospital.

Mirzabegian has held many other positions during his career including Vice President of Clinical Services at Bromenn Healthcare in Bloomington, IL; Vice President of Operations at Centegra Health System in McHenry, IL; which included two hospitals and 24 clinics and ambulatory care centers; and Vice President of Patient Care Services at Memorial Medical Center in Northern Illinois and Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL.

Mirzabegian has an M.S., M.H.A. in Health Service Administration from the University of St. Francis in Illinois. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Illinois.

The luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the J.P. Eliopulos Hellenic Center, 43404 30th St. West, Lancaster and  is $20 with reservation and $25 at the door. For reservations contact the Board of Trade office at 661-942-9581 or by email at teri@avbot .org.

Luncheon sponsor:

Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare Plan in California Receives 5-Star Rating

Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare health plan in the Southern California region received an overall rating of 5 stars for parts C and D, for quality and service.

The Medicare Star Quality rating system, developed by CMS, compares how well Medicare Advantage plans perform based on 50 quality measures across five categories, including staying healthy, managing chronic conditions, customer services, pharmacy services, and member satisfaction.

“A 5-star rating is a reflection of the quality care and customer service you can expect as a Kaiser Permanente member. Kaiser Permanente’s integrated model, its electronic medical records, and its highly motivated group of physicians and health care professionals working as a team enable us to provide our Medicare members with high-quality care,” said Jeffrey Weisz, MD, executive medical director of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group. “We recommend that seniors use this rating system to help them make educated choices when selecting a Medicare plan to ensure it meets CMS’s high standards.”

According to the 2012 Medicare Star Quality ratings, Kaiser Permanente California, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, and Kaiser Permanente Northwest received 5 stars. Kaiser Permanente Georgia, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, and Kaiser Permanente Ohio received 4.5 stars. A total of nine Medicare health plans across the country received 5 stars.

Beginning December 8, 2011, Medicare rules allow most beneficiaries to enroll in 5-star Medicare Advantage plans throughout the year. This means that beneficiaries do not have to wait until the Fall open enrollment period next year if they want to change their plan and enroll in a 5-star plan, if one is available in their area.

Last month, Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare Health plan also took top honors in the “NCQA’s Health Insurance Plan Rankings” report. The top four Medicare plans in the country were Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, and Kaiser Permanente Northwest. Kaiser Permanente Hawaii ranked number seven in the nation for Medicare plans.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente (www.kp.org) is a nonprofit health maintenance organization serving more than 6.5 million members throughout the state of California. In Southern California, Kaiser Permanente’s more than 3.3 million members are served by more than 6,000 physicians and 60,000 employees at 13 major medical centers throughout the region. Kaiser Permanente Antelope Valley Medical Offices have been providing health care to area residents of since 1968 and employs more than 800 physicians and staff locally.

Lunch and Learn with your AVBOT President!
Bring your lunch to the Northrop Grumman Federal Credit Union on Friday November 18 – 11:00 a.m. for an hour long presentation on Value Management, presented by AVBOT President Rhonda Nelson and Dennis Pikop of Northrop Grumman. Learn how to produce value for your customers and employees through organization and learning how to limit distractions.
Please RSVP to Teri at teri@avbot.org or 942-9581 by Tuesday November 15.
Space is limited so make your reservations today!