12/4 Blog Topic: MEF at the North Bay CEO Roundtable – What I heard from business leaders
December 4, 2018
On Thursday November 29 I had the chance to attend my first event since joining MEF, the “North Bay Business Journal 2018 CEO Roundtable” in Santa Rosa. The event featured a panel of CEO’s from the North Bay’s most recognizable companies: Marin’s Ghilotti Bros., Inc and Hospice by the Bay, as well as Clover Sonoma, Jackson Family Wines, Traditional Medicinals, Nelson Companies (which has an office here in Marin) and Torn Ranch (which had their first storefront in San Rafael). The excellent discussion on various business topics provided me three big takeaways to share:
1. A lot of North Bay businesses exist here because of a strong connection to the land
Some of the most successful companies in Marin and beyond are multigenerational family owned businesses. These companies aren’t still here today because the factors of production suggest they will be most competitive by manufacturing here; they rely on inputs which are unique to Marin and the Bay Area and have a deep connection to Marin. However, these companies need to be supported if they are going to stay in the North Bay and grow. That is why the work of the MEF to ensure a competitive Marin economy so important to our community; we need and want those companies to stay here and flourish.
2. The industries that exist here in the North Bay are innovative and poised to lead in the future
If you survey the sectors of Marin’s economy you will find the sectors of the future: biotech, cleantech, non-profits, healthcare and even agriculture. We are fortunate that these sectors exist, but we need to ensure they stay here and grow and to do so we need a sound public-private dialogue between elected officials and companies in these sectors.
3. All 7 CEO’s said their future success depends on making the business environment friendlier
For those of you who own or have owned a business in Marin I bet you would say the same thing. We all know that there are regulatory burdens and processes that can make doing business difficult; it could be said of most places. However, we need to be aware and have ways to address those policy issues rather than force companies to deal with them.
As a first event to attend I couldn’t have hoped for a more relevant and rich discussion. The experience confirmed that the MEF can be a critical partner to both private and public sector as it relates to securing a strong economy of the future. What a great start!
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